You Can Have a New Life in a Few Months

“How long does it take to see a difference?”

That’s a common question about bariatric surgery, and it’s one we love to hear. Why? Because the answer is, “Not long!”

If you’ve struggled with your weight, you know that it creeps up gradually, usually over the course of many years. The idea of bariatric surgery can be daunting, especially if you need to lose a lot in order to regain optimum health.

But here’s the great news: It may have taken years to reach this point, but you can have a different life in mere months. The little victories start coming fast and furious after only a few weeks.

Everyone is different, so your results will depend on where you started. However, here are some of the things our patients notice very quickly.

Right Away

You may discontinue some diabetic medications when you are discharged after surgery. Depending on your health situation, there’s also the potential to stop taking blood pressure medications.

Within a Few Weeks

Clothes may fit better. Things that were tight before your surgery start to feel looser. You can start going farther back in the closet to find something that fits.

Swelling in your feet and ankles may decrease. That makes it easier to get shoes on, and easier to walk.

Your mobility often improves. For every 10 to 20 pounds you lose, you are gaining mobility. Maybe that means you can walk to the mailbox or park further away from the door at the grocery store. Maybe you can bend down to pick something up or go up a flight of stairs without stopping to catch your breath.

Within a Few Months

Your entire life will likely be different. You’ll have more stamina. You’ll have more respiratory capacity. And you’ll be fired up to maintain your newly acquired habits as you journey towards a healthy weight.

More People Now Qualify for Insurance-Reimbursed Bariatric Surgery

Insurance companies have seen that bariatric surgery benefits long-term health. As a result, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has recently reduced the qualifying Body Mass Index (BMI) requirement from 35 to 30 for patients who have poorly controlled Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

What does that mean? Let’s say you’re 5’8” tall. Typically, in order to qualify for insurance-reimbursed bariatric surgery, you would have to weigh at least 230 pounds (BMI 35). But now, for example, if you weigh 200 pounds (BMI 30) and have Type II DM, you would qualify for bariatric surgery.

That’s not a big difference in terms of actual weight, but it creates huge potential for better health outcomes.

“People sometimes think they must be extremely overweight for bariatric surgery to benefit them,” said Eric Krebill, MD, medical director of Bariatric Surgery at Trinity Health Grand Haven. “The truth is that reaching a healthy weight is better for your body, regardless of how much you need to lose. You put less stress on joints and organs. You’re more mobile. You will be healthier and feel better when you maintain a healthy weight.”

Learn More

If you’ve put on some weight and are ready to get back on the path to health, we can help. Now would be a great time to call your insurance company and see if they have updated their qualifications.

To view our free bariatric surgery seminar, visit trinityhealthmi.org/bariatrics.