David Oliak, MD

Overweight since I was a child, I had tried and failed with many other weight loss attempts. I knew I needed that extra tool, and gastric bypass was it. It is not a cure, it simply motivates you and forces you to truly think about everything that you eat.

I made the decision to have weight loss surgery when I was 19, but it took two years to convince my family that it was what I truly needed to be successful in my weight loss goals. Less than a month after my 21st birthday, I had gastric bypass surgery on September 8, 2010 at the weight of 264 pounds.

In mid-July of that year, I attended my second seminar at the Oliak Center for Weight Loss, this time bringing a parent along with me. Upon seeing the comprehensive program and support system that Dr. Oliak had established, his record of successful operations, the amount of thriving patients in his practice, as well as his compassion and genuine caring about his patients, the decision was made. However, I had less than two months before I needed to be back at school for my junior year of college.

Dr. Oliak’s staff knew that I needed to be recovered in time to go back to school, and they knew that time was tight to get everything through insurance, follow through on all pre-surgery requirements, and make sure that this surgery was truly the right fit for me.

It has now been 18 months and I am down 110 pounds. I am a runner; yes, I actually enjoy running. I go to bootcamp and am no longer the girl trailing at the back of the pack, but instead am at the lead. I go to spin class and hot yoga on a regular basis, and I thrive on the physical challenges. I have endurance for activities I never thought I could do. My family frequently remarks at my boundless energy. I no longer have to shop in plus size stores, but can shop pretty much anywhere (which, I’ll admit, has had an effect on the size of my wallet).

I will admit that there were some struggles along the way. As I went to school along the Central Coast, I was unable to access all of the remarkable support at my disposal at first, such as the Monday night support group meetings and the six week emotional eating support group class. But every chance I got, I would check in with the office. We would have phone appointments and I’d come in on days I didn’t have class. Everyone in the office did all that they could to ensure that I was not lacking in support. I was eventually able to take advantage of everything offered to me, and I have to say that I consider myself…no, I AM a success.

Looking forward to start my weigh loss journey . My objective is to loose 120 lb and get back my mobility, eliminate joints and knee pain, get back into activity and sports. I have suffering with this excess weight since 2010 . I have been big all my life but that to that level. My pre op weight is 356 lb . I was larger that that but I started to watch my diet and calorie intake starting Jan 9th 2016 I was able to loose 25 lb in prep of operation. Liquid protein shake premium from Costco and slim fast hi protein from Walmart helped me in the reduction more importantly support from my wife. I will update post surgery.

Updated on 22 Mar 2016:


Updated on 27 Mar 2016:
Tomorrow morning is my procedure at 10 am. I weighed my self this morning: 350 lb. starting 10 pm no food whatsoever in prep of the procedure

Updated on 29 Mar 2016:
I admitted to hospitaltal Monday morning . I weigh in at 339 lb . The team at placentia Linda is amazing and took care of me and Sll the way to the smallest detail. Just wanted to let you know that I am on day 2 post op . I am broth 4 oz per hr. Still some pain but manageable . Walking every two hrs . Felling better than yesterday.

Updated on 1 Apr 2016:
Day 4 after surgery the pain is diminishing and I am feeling much better I am working on my protein shake and fluids ....slow process . Bowl movement is great urinating is great . Small abs pain when moving ..... I weighed this morning 335 lb . I have dr appointment on 4/4. I will keep u posted .

Updated on 10 Apr 2016:
2 weeks post procedure all pain is gone . Still on shakes and liquid diet . I am now 328 lb down 52 lb from my peak in Jan this year . Feeling lot of energy and getting used to it . I am down to size 48 and receiving lot of input that I am starting to melt . I pulled clothes from my closet I last wore in 2008. I will keep u posted .

Updated on 1 Jul 2016:
As of this morning I weighed myself at 283 lb and my pant size is 44. Doing great . Feeling awesome. Sleeping much much much better

Updated on 2 Nov 2016:
As of today I am 260 lb size 38

Updated on 12 Dec 2016:
Just reporting that I Am 255 lb size 38 waist and look greater than ever. I do not regret performing the operation .