Making a decision to have weight loss surgery was not without much soul searching. After years of trying every diet imaginable, some with success, only to gain the weight back and then some, my weight had reached 264 lbs. No longer feeling in control, at the age of 62, I met Dr. Oliak.
My intention was to have a consultation with a doctor, expecting to hear all the usual things we all complain about when talking to our doctors about our weight. Much to my surprise there was none of that. Dr. Oliak’s approach is to provide you with the information, and give you the data he has collected over the years, while discussing the best solution for you and your weight loss journey. The decision has to be yours and yours alone. There was an open dialog with no pressure and no judgement and I left Dr. Oliak’s office feeling that his no nonsense approach to this procedure was an opportunity for positive approach to permanent weight loss.
After 6 monthly visits with all my questions answered, gastric sleeve surgery was scheduled in October 2015. I called it the first day of the rest of my life, and I have never looked back.
After a 2 day hospital stay, with very little discomfort given that the procedure was laparoscopic and minimally invasive I was back to work on Monday. At this point I felt as if I had been given to tools and the education to lose weight but it was still up to me.
That was 3 years ago and as I’ve said so many time – this was the best gift I ever gave myself. I have successfully lost the weight, in excess of the 70% I was told to expect.
Any weight loss procedure is a tool, your dedication to a lifestyle change is a key to the success. Portion control, healthy choices, exercise and following the guidance given by Dr. Oliak is a straight path to another success story. Do all the research, write down your questions and then make that phone call to Dr. Oliak…, it’s the first step to a healthy existence.