Oliak Center for Weight Loss Bariatric Center

Dr. Oliak, is a great man, and a great surgeon. I had no fears going into surgery, only excitement about the new changes that were going to happen in my life. The staff at the center are always friendly, and ALWAYS willing to help you out by answering any questions you might have. Both Dr. Oliak and the staff were completly through in explaining the process of before and after surgery care. I would recomend Dr. Oliak to anyone i meet, for he took my life into his hands and has shaped me into a new healthier, and happier me.

I've only been to an informational seminar presented by Dr. Oliak, but I was impressed with him at the meeting. My pre-op appointment is scheduled for November 18, 2004 and I hope that all goes well.

Lets see, where do I begin. My road to WLS was a very short and fast one. I heard about the surgery from a fertility doctor in San Diego who said it would help me to become pregnant. She refferred me through my PCM to be approved for a consultation. I had two choices, one for Dr. Oliak at Chapman or one at a college hospital in San Diego. I chose Chapman immediatly because there was a woman on my street who had it done at the hospital in SD and has massive complications. (She recently had the surgery re-done at Chapman!!And she is doing great.) I met Dr. Oliak at the initial consultation and liked him immediatly. He seemed to understand what obese people were going through in society, and I was shocked that he cared so much. I submitted my insurance immediatly (Tri-Care Prime), and was approved earlier the next week. I had my pre-op appointment a little over a week later, and my surgery 5 days after that. At my pre-op appointment, I was told the risks of the surgery, the lifetime benefits and sacrafices, and what to expect during the surgery. My only negative standpoint on the pre-op appointment, was that I was unprepared on what I was about to do, and I wan't thinking any of this through, I just wanted the "instant skinny" fix that the surgery in my mind was portrayed to be. I wish that they could somehow require pre-op patients to do some kind of study requiring them to know what they are doing 100%. Like I said, I had just learned of the surgery less than 2 weeks prior and I was about to do it. I passed all of the pre-op tests easily, but I don't think that the risks were clearly defined in my mind. (They didn't really hit me until after I had the surgery, and I realized I risked my life to be skinny.) But I did it! The surgery was done on October 29th by Dr. Oliak. I found him to be a wonderful surgeon and he was very attentive to my situation and needs. He is very particular about your aftercare visits and demands that you make them, which of course is a good thing. He set me up with a support group that I had to go to before and after the surgery, which Im not sure how much help that was for me, but nonetheless was informative. I rate Dr. Oliak as the most wonderful, caring doctor that I have ever come across. So far since the surgery, I have had a couple of problems, and he has been right there for me with treatment and advice. I believe that surgical competence is very important, and formost when chosing a surgeon, but, for a surgery like Gastric Bypass, you need a doctor with a good bedside manner and exceptional people skills to help you through it. So don't settle for one or the other, you need BOTH.

My first impression was "wow he is young".
He was very patient, didn't make me feel rushed and went over every part of the surgery. I would rate him as pre-op...Wonderful...10+

Very capable, young, bright surgeon.

I would needed a surgeon who is sensitive and a good listener and Dr Oliak is very good about that.

He made me feel very comfortable and secure and genuinly cares about his patients' well being.

He is also funny and a REALLY nice guy.

I am so happy that I chose him and I don't think I could have picked a better surgeon :-)

Dr. Oliak is a very kind and caring man. I knew that from the moment that I met him that I would be in good hands. More importantly, my mom liked him. The office staff that he works with is great. They are very caring and efficient. There was not a thing that I did not like about Dr. Oliak or his staff. The program that his office has set-up will allow you to do nothing but succeed. It is very apparent that they really do care about what you are doing and how it is going to affect your life. Every issue and question that I thought that I could have was addressed before I could ask the question. The staff as a whole was very clear in their explanation of the procedure I was about to go through. I would recommend Dr. Oliak to anyone considering this type of sugery. The only thing that I wish was that I had more time to Dr. Oliak, but knowing how busy he is, I can certainly understand.

Although I am not easy to impress, I was quite impressed with Dr. Oliak from the first meeting (informational seminar). I had researched several surgeons and found Dr. Oliak to demonstrate superior clinical knowledge and bedside manner. He further confirmed this at my pre op appt answering both mine and my husbands concerns. Post Op remark- All I can say is Dr. Oliak is the absolute best!!! (this coming from a very critical RN)

Dr. Oliak was the best doctor in the world. Ok my little world. He is patient, answers all questions and has a great bedside manner. I would highly recommend him and Coastal Obesity to anyone. I am very happy that Coastal stresses aftercare. I've enjoyed the support groups and have benefited from the others who have had the surgery.

First impression - really really nice and maybe spends too much time with his patients. I was seen 3 hrs. after I got there.
The office staff had a good team environment and they all seemed to get along well with the patients and know what was going on with them. They've all been great with me.
After care seems well planned, it consists of regular follow ups, nutritionist appts and support groups. Overall I rate them a 10 so far.

I went to see Dr. Oliak on the 6th of April. I thought he was very professional. He was not warm and cozy as I thought he would be. That is how I saw Dr. Owens. But I have to say that Dr. Oliak is throughal. He is straight and to the point. He asked me if I had any questions and I said know they covered everything. He wants you to eat a banana a day after surgery. Ugh,,,, But he seemed nice. I have a date of april 14th 2004.