Bariatric Surgery Seminar: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Weight Loss Surgery

What This Bariatric Surgery Seminar Covers

If you’re exploring bariatric surgery or medically supervised weight loss, the Grand Health Partners Bariatric Treatment Seminar is your starting point. This video gives you a clear overview of obesity as a disease, why traditional diets fail, and how surgical weight loss creates long-term results.

Who This Seminar Is For

This session is designed for:

• Individuals struggling with obesity
• Patients who’ve tried diets, medications, or short-term programs
• Anyone considering surgical weight loss in the Grand Rapids area
• Loved ones supporting someone through the process

What You’ll Learn

Our surgeons walk you through:

• How bariatric surgery works
• Who qualifies
• Insurance requirements
• Pre- and post-operative expectations
• Differences between sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, and more
• How lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and behavioral support all fit together

Why GHP’s Approach Works

Grand Health Partners delivers a full continuum of care, pairing surgical expertise with long-term coaching. Every patient receives:

• A coordinated team of physicians, surgeons, dietitians, exercise specialists, and behaviorists
• Guidance before, during, and long after surgery
• A proven program supporting lasting success, not temporary fixes

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to explore bariatric surgery or want expert guidance on your weight-loss journey, schedule a consultation with our team today.

Key Takeaways

• Bariatric Surgery Overview – Why surgery helps achieve lasting weight loss and treats obesity-related conditions.
• Qualifications – BMI requirements, comorbidities, and insurance criteria.
• Procedure Options – Sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, SADI-S, and revisions.
• What to Expect – Pre-op steps, recovery timeline, diet phases, and aftercare.
• Long-Term Support – Ongoing coaching from dietitians, behaviorists, exercise physiologists, and care coordinators.

Bariatric Surgery Seminar Transcript:

Welcome to the online Bariatric Surgery Seminar presented by Grand Health Partners and our participating hospital systems throughout West Michigan. My name is Dr. Eric Crable, and I am one of the metabolic and bariatric surgeons dedicated to helping patients on their journey to a healthier life.

Purpose of the Seminar

The purpose of this video series is to introduce prospective patients to our comprehensive weight-loss treatment program. We want to help you and your loved ones understand that obesity is a disease, and we often need many tools to treat it successfully. Weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, may offer the most benefit to your overall health when traditional methods have been unsuccessful. Our primary goal is to help you lose weight and improve health conditions caused or worsened by obesity, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, joint pain, sleep apnea, and even certain cancers.

Your Care Team & Approach

We often describe your path to weight loss as a journey, and we will be with you every step of the way. We provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment with our staff of doctors, surgeons, physician assistants, dietitians, and behavior and exercise specialists. Since 2008, we have served over 15,000 patients. Our surgeons have extensive training in advanced laparoscopy and robotic surgery, and our hospital locations are recognized as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons, ensuring the highest quality of care.

Candidacy, Insurance & Non-Surgical Options

To determine if you are a good candidate for surgery, check with your insurance company first. Most insurance providers in Michigan cover this treatment. In general, you must be over the age of 18 with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35–39.9 with medical complications. You must also be psychologically healthy and committed to making lifestyle changes. If you meet these criteria or want to learn more, continue watching the video series. You will also learn about our non-surgical weight-loss options that include healthy eating plans, personalized exercise routines, behavioral therapy, and prescription medications to help control hunger.

Preparing for Bariatric Surgery

Next, you will hear from our physician and surgeon colleagues about preparing for a healthy life before and after surgery, insurance requirements, what surgery may be right for you, and how to get started. Our main purpose is to improve the overall health and lives of our patients.

We view obesity care as a continuum that includes lifelong management and support from our healthcare team. Treatment often starts with lifestyle modification, including nutrition support with a registered dietitian who helps review food logs, ensure adequate macronutrients, and improve eating habits. Exercise physiologists create gradual activity plans to improve cardiovascular fitness, maintain muscle, strengthen bones, and reduce depression and anxiety.

Behavior change is one of the most important aspects of weight management. Our behavioral specialists and counselors help address your relationship with food, emotional eating, and building a support system.

We may also incorporate anti-obesity medications to help with hunger, cravings, and overeating triggers. Depending on the medication, patients may lose 5–15% or more of their body weight when combined with lifestyle changes. These medications can also be used after bariatric surgery to break plateaus or assist with weight regain.

Grand Health Partners offers medically supervised weight-loss programs, including a 900-calorie program using our store products and a grocery-based program. Weekly classes are taught by dietitians, exercise physiologists, and behaviorists. This six-month program transitions into our Living Healthy program for lifelong support.

The first step in any medical or surgical program is an appointment with a bariatric physician or PA to review your health history, discuss goals, and complete a physical exam.

According to NIH guidelines, people who qualify for bariatric surgery are adults with a BMI of 35–40 with at least one comorbidity, or a BMI over 40 without additional conditions. Our staff will verify your criteria and insurance coverage.

There are several preparatory appointments before surgery, including evaluations with our bariatricians, behaviorists, dietitians, and exercise physiologists. Labs for vitamin and mineral levels are checked, and supplements are started if needed. Patients undergo an upper endoscopy, and all age-appropriate screenings must be up to date. Smoking cessation is required.

Once insurance authorization is obtained and surgery is scheduled, patients begin a two-week pre-operative diet to shrink the liver and reduce surgical risk.

Bariatric Procedures & Revision Options

The two most common bariatric procedures we perform are sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We have performed over 15,000 bariatric cases. These surgeries work by creating smaller stomachs so less food causes more fullness, improving satiety and metabolism.

The sleeve gastrectomy is our most common and safest procedure. It removes the stretchy part of the stomach to create a narrow “sleeve.” It avoids intestinal rerouting, results in 60–70% excess weight loss by 2–3 years, and has the lowest vitamin requirements.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small bowel. While effective, it carries risks such as malabsorption, vitamin deficiencies, ulcers, dumping syndrome, and bowel obstruction. It may be preferred for severe reflux or certain metabolic conditions.

The duodenal switch combines a sleeve with significant intestinal bypass, offering the greatest weight loss and best remission of diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure issues. However, it requires intensive vitamin supplementation, frequent lab monitoring, and dietary adjustments, including reduced sugar intake.

Revision surgery may be required when previous procedures (like the Lap-Band or sleeve) do not provide adequate results or cause complications. Revision surgeries carry higher risks due to scar tissue and complexity, and require personalized evaluation.

Recovery, Follow-Up & Long-Term Support

Regarding recovery, most patients stay in the hospital one night. Expect soreness, fatigue, and possible nausea; most go home the next afternoon. Two weeks off work is typical, though some return earlier if they feel well—especially those working from home. Activity should be limited to walking initially; avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks. No baths, swimming, or whirlpools during that time. Dietary changes are essential, with liquids and soft foods for about six weeks to allow the stomach to heal.

Despite the many steps, patients are assigned a care coordinator who guides them through the entire process. Grand Health Partners is committed to providing excellent care and supporting every patient toward long-term success.