Selecting a bariatric physician and hospital for weight loss surgery is just as important as the decision to have weight loss surgery.  It is important to select a bariatric center that provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary weight loss program that offers the bariatric procedure that’s right for you and your lifestyle.

Avoid bariatric physicians performing experimental procedures.  Bariatric surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, and fitness trainers should also be available through the center, and the staff should be well-trained and experienced.  Surgeons should be board-certified in general surgery and have significant abdominal surgery experience. Surgeons with subspecialty training and experience are a plus.

The Hurley Bariatric Center offers its bariatric surgery procedures through the Hurley Medical Center, a licensed facility accredited by The Joint Commission and is also a Level 1A American College of Surgeons (ACS) Bariatric Center.  The ACS surveys bariatric programs and holds accredited programs to the highest of clinical performance standards.  As a Level 1A ACS Bariatric Center, the Hurley Bariatric Center can manage the most challenging and complex bariatric patients with optimal opportunity for safe and effective weight loss surgery outcomes.  In addition, the Hurley Bariatric Center is a Blue Distinction® Center and has three Bariatric Center of Excellence (COE) designations, more than any other bariatric program in Michigan. Our Bariatric Center is supported and equipped with an intensive care unit, strong diagnostic capabilities, 24-hour physician coverage, and a full staff of medical specialists.

At Hurley Bariatric Center, you’ll also have the confidence of knowing that, in the event of post-surgical complication, you will not need to be transported to another hospital.  Additionally, Hurley Bariatric Center surgeons are board-certified in general surgery, and are experienced in abdominal surgery.  Hurley Bariatric Center also offers comprehensive counseling and support through a complete staff of nurses, psychologists, clinical dietitians, and experts at the Hurley Health and Fitness Center.

Candidates for weight loss surgery are 100 or more pounds overweight and haven’t had success with more conservative methods such as diets, exercise and behavior modification.  Bariatric surgery may be part of the solution that you’ve been looking for.  Bariatric surgical options include gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy or adjustable gastric banding.  At Hurley Bariatric Center, we have a dedicated, multi-disciplinary bariatric medical team that will work with you each step of the way along your weight loss journey.

Your body mass index (BMI) and guidelines from the National Institute of Health are used as a guide to decide if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery.  BMI is accurate in determining the degree of obesity.  It considers an individual’s weight in proportion to their height and can be used for both men and women.

• A BMI from 18.5 through 24.9 indicates a healthy weight
• A BMI from 25.0 through 29.9 indicates an overweight condition
• A BMI from 30 through 39.9 indicates moderate obesity
• A BMI of 40 or above indicates severe obesity

Surgical weight loss candidates usually have a BMI of 35 or greater (typically 100 or more pounds overweight), and other health issues related to the excessive weight, which may include:

• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Arthritis
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Urinary Stress Incontinence

If you are thinking about bariatric surgery, we encourage you to attend one of our free monthly educational bariatric surgery seminars to learn more about the three procedures we offer at the Hurley Bariatric Center: Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Adjustable Gastric Banding.

Each bariatric procedure has its own unique benefits and risks. If you decide to pursue bariatric surgery, you and our expert care team will discuss each of the surgical options and your weight loss goals. You will learn about the differences between gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding. Once you and your medical team decide which surgical weight loss procedure is right for you we will work together with you to create a customized plan that will help to safely achieve your weight loss goals.

Oftentimes these surgical weight loss procedures can be performed with the laparoscopic approach.  This approach uses smaller incisions which results in less scarring, fewer complications, less post-operative pain, and often, a quicker recovery.  When you and your medical team decide on the procedure that is best for you, you may also discuss if a laparoscopic approach would be effective in your case.

Each bariatric procedure produces different weight loss outcomes, which you and your expert care team will discuss before you undergo your bariatric surgery.  However, on average one year after bariatric surgery, patients that undergo gastric bypass will lose 67% of their excess body weight in the first year, those that select sleeve gastrectomy typically lose 46-83% of their excess body weight in the first year, and individuals with an adjustable gastric band lose approximately 42 to 45% of their excess body weight in the first year.  Achieving these weight loss results is highly dependent upon the patient’s commitment to and compliance with the post-surgical diet and exercise regimen.

Remember, each bariatric procedure has its own unique benefits and risks. You and your care team will decide on the approach that will help you achieve your weight loss goals safely and effectively.

As is with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery.  Risks include bleeding, infection, and post surgical mortality.  Please discuss the specific risks you will face with bariatric surgery as it relates to your health conditions and the surgical procedure desired. Each weight loss procedure, including gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding, has its own unique benefits and risks.

Each bariatric procedure, including gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding, offers different benefits and recovery times to surgical weight loss patients. Laparoscopic approaches require a shorter stay than traditional open bariatric surgery approaches.  Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures completed laparoscopically generally require a 2-4 day hospital stay, whereas a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band has a shorter stay of 1-2 days.  Open bariatric surgery procedures can require hospital stays of up to 5 days.

Regardless of the approach, you will remain in the hospital's care until you are:

• Fever free
• Well hydrated
• Controlling pain adequately with medication

You and your expert medical care team will meet on several occasions to help you prepare for weight loss surgery.  You will work together to create a customized weight loss treatment plan designed especially for you.  While individual weight loss treatment plans are tailored to each patient, often times the steps are similar.

Your care team will encourage you to start making changes in your activity and nutrition habits that will help you prepare for weight loss surgery as well as life post-surgery.  This will help you to meet your weight loss goals safely and effectively.  Your care team will also educate you on possible nutrition deficiencies associated with surgical weight loss and tips on how you can avoid them.

We have also found that enlisting the support of family and friends can help you in a successful weight loss journey.  By involving them, they can help you to make healthy choices and keep you motivated throughout the process.

Read more about how the Hurley Bariatric program works.

Yes! Your expert medical care team will meet with you prior to surgery, after weight loss surgery and as needed to discuss exercise and diet requirements.  Before you undergo weight loss surgery, it is likely that your care team will prescribe a diet and exercise program that will help you to prepare for your bariatric surgery.

In addition to meeting with your bariatric surgeon, you will have a one on one meeting with a dietitian to assess your weight loss history and provide you with information on nutrition expectations and required changes in eating behavior that are necessary for your success after bariatric surgery.  The dietitian will help you develop a customized plan that will help you to safely and effectively achieve your weight loss goals through diet after bariatric surgery.  You will also attend a class where nurses will discuss more healthy eating tips, ways to avoid nutritional deficiencies as well as the benefits and risks associated with your particular surgery.

Most individuals return to work 4 to 6 weeks after bariatric surgery.  However, complete participation in pre-surgical activities will vary according to your physical condition, the specific activity as well as the weight loss surgery that you selected.  Patients that have a minimally-invasive laparoscopic approach, may be able to return to their daily activities 3-4 weeks post weight loss surgery.

Your care team will continue to monitor your progress and make recommendations based on your specific case.

Medical studies reflect what we’ve seen firsthand: Individuals that are committed to their post-operative care are more likely to be successful in maintaining their weight loss after bariatric surgery than those that that do not complete the follow-up care.

At Hurley Bariatric Center, our team is devoted to your wellness and long-term weight loss success.  With this in mind, we expect to share in your progress and discuss your journey with you at a 2 week, 6 week, 3 month, 6 month, 12 month, 18 month and annual follow up visits.

Bariatric surgery support groups can be helpful to you and instrumental in your weight loss success.  The Hurley Bariatric Center is pleased to offer you both medically supervised and peer bariatric surgery support groups.  Additionally, our weight loss support groups are offered at many convenient Michigan locations so that you can attend one that is located near your home or workplace.

*Medically Supervised Bariatric Surgery Support Group

Our medically supervised weight loss support group meets as follows:

• Hurley Bariatric Center: First Monday of every month, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2700 Robert T. Longway Blvd, Suite H, Flint, Michigan, 48503

*Peer Led Support Group

In addition to support groups led by members of our medical team, you may find it helpful to meet with your peers to discuss your journey with those that have experienced similar feelings and situations.  Your peers can also inform you of other similar support groups throughout the state that may be beneficial to you and your success.

• Flint Area Bariatric Support Group - Third Monday of the month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Central Church of the Nazarene, 1261 West Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507. Enter from the back of the building off of Bristolwood Drive. Coordinator: Jim Lanning. E-mail addresses: flint-area-bariatric-support-fabs@googlegroups.com and flintbariatricsupport@gmail.com Web site: groups.google.com/group/flint-area-bariatric-support-fabs  
• Saginaw/Bay City Support Group - Second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 900 6th Street, Bay City, MI 48708. Corner of 6th & Van Buren Streets. Use side entrance to the Parlor. Coordinator: Pam Tremble. Web site: www.BayCityWLS.com 
• Vassar Support Group - Third Monday of every month, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Vassar Area Ambulance Base, 5450 W. Saginaw Rd, Vassar, Michigan, 48768. Coordinator: Reinette Verbeek. E-mail: davidverbeek@sbcglobal.net

*If your local schools are closed due to weather, the support group meeting will be cancelled.