Loading Page
Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD is a bariatric surgeon in Livonia, MI specializing in bariatric surgery and general surgery. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD is affiliated with Trinity Health.
Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)
Bariatric or weight-loss surgery is a surgical procedure performed to help significantly obese patients lose weight when more traditional methods, such as dieting and exercise, have not helped. Depending on the type, these surgeries change the gastrointestinal tract to limit how much food can be eaten and also change how food is absorbed by the body. Of the various bariatric surgeries available, the most common is gastric bypass.
By far the most common of the gastric bypass surgeries is called Roux-en-Y. During this surgery, part of the stomach and small intestine are detached from the gastrointestinal tract, in order to make the tract smaller. The surgeon divides the stomach into two parts. The working stomach, at the end of the esophagus, is now tiny - only the size of a walnut. This makes patients feel full after eating a small amount of food. Then the small intestine is also divided, and after bypassing a section of the small intestine to reduce food absorption, the intestine is attached to the small stomach pouch. The patient now has a working stomach and intestine like before, only much smaller.
Because gastric bypass is used to treat extreme obesity, it can reduce the risk of some of the problems associated with obesity. Gastric bypass can help treat or reduce the risk for such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. However, it is a major surgery and also carries risks itself. Any surgery can lead to infection, bleeding, or blood clots, and weight loss surgery in particular carries risks of leaks in the gastrointestinal system, malnutrition, bowel obstructions, and vomiting.
Typically patients are considered candidates for gastric bypass surgery if they have a BMI greater than 40, or sometimes if they have a BMI between 35 and 40 but are suffering from obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes. The outlook is generally good, with most patients losing between 50-75% of their excess weight in 1-2 years. However, patients must follow strict diet guidelines so that the stomach can heal, starting with no food at all, then followed by a liquid diet for some time. For many severely obese patients who have tried strict diets before without success, gastric bypass surgery is the tool that allows them to finally achieve their weight loss and health goals.
Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine. She completed residency at DMC Harper University Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Michigan.
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency: DMC Harper University Hospital
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery
Licensed In: Michigan
Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: United Healthcare Community Plan (AmeriChoice), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Priority Health, Medicare Advantage, McLaren Health Plan, Aetna, Railroad Medicare, United Healthcare, TRICARE Prime Remote, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, Molina Healthcare, TRICARE, Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Cofinity, BCN of Michigan M Premier Care HMO, Physicians Health Plan (PHP), HAP Alliance Health & Life Commercial, Railroad Medicare Michigan, Blue Cross Complete of Michigan, Veterans Choice Program, Community Care, Trinity Health, Community Care Associates, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, Cofinity (Network), Blue Care Network of Michigan, Physicians Health Plan (PHP) Michigan Cares Network, Meridian Health Plan, Meridian Commercial ALL PLANS, Medicare Michigan, BCN of Michigan HMO, Medicare (Traditional) and Aetna Commercial ALL PLANS.
According to our sources, Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Molly Belisle Whalen, MD here: Leave a Review
Dr. Molly Whalen is a specialist in general surgery and bariatric surgery. She works in Detroit, MI, Livonia, MI, and Chelsea, MI. Before completing her residency at DMC Harper University Hospital, Dr. Whalen attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Her areas of expertise consist of general surgery and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Dr. Whalen seems to honor McLaren Health Plan, Cofinity, and Blue California, as well as other insurance carriers. She is affiliated with Trinity Health. Dr. Whalen has an open panel in Chelsea, MI according to Trinity Health.
