Poplawski Bariatric

Weight Loss Clinic in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Call (734) 547-1069135 S Prospect St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

About Poplawski Bariatric

Poplawski Bariatric is a physician-led weight loss center in Ypsilanti, Michigan, providing surgical and medical management for patients dealing with obesity and its related complications. The practice takes a personal approach to care. Patients aren't moved through a generic program - each treatment plan is built around a full picture of the individual's health, goals, and circumstances. That attention to detail matters when you're making decisions that affect your long-term health.

The center combines surgical expertise with ongoing medical management, recognizing that successful weight loss outcomes depend on more than a single procedure or a short-term program. Pre-surgical preparation, post-surgical monitoring, and long-term follow-up are central to how the practice operates. Staff work to keep patients engaged and supported through regular visits, nutritional guidance, and resources that help sustain results well after the initial treatment phase ends.

Services Offered

Poplawski Bariatric provides a range of bariatric and medical weight loss services within a dedicated clinical setting. Surgical offerings include sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Each patient receives a thorough pre-surgical workup including metabolic lab testing, psychological screening, and a nutritional evaluation to confirm surgical readiness and match the patient to the right procedure. For patients who aren't surgical candidates or prefer a non-surgical approach, the center offers a medically supervised weight loss program. This includes prescription anti-obesity medications where appropriate, structured dietary plans, and behavioral support. The program can function as a standalone treatment or as preparation for eventual surgery when insurance or clinical factors require it. Post-surgical care is a central part of the practice model. Patients receive scheduled follow-up visits, ongoing lab monitoring, and dietary coaching through the full recovery period. The center also manages comorbidities closely, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, tracking how those conditions respond to weight loss over time. Patients with prior bariatric surgery from other providers who are experiencing complications or significant weight regain can also be evaluated for revision options.

Weight Loss Centers

Medical Centers

Treatment Options

Sleeve Gastrectomy

A laparoscopic procedure that removes the majority of the stomach, creating a smaller sleeve-shaped pouch that limits intake and reduces hunger-triggering hormones. Recovery is faster than bypass surgery and there's no intestinal rerouting involved. It's a well-established first-line option for many bariatric candidates.

1 to 2 hours surgery, 1 to 2 night hospital stay$15,000 to $25,000 without insurance

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

A procedure dividing the stomach into a small upper pouch connected directly to the small intestine, bypassing the lower stomach. It's particularly effective for patients with type 2 diabetes and typically produces more rapid metabolic improvements than sleeve surgery alone. Recovery is somewhat longer given the added intestinal work.

2 to 4 hours surgery, 2 to 3 night hospital stay$20,000 to $35,000 without insurance

Medically Supervised Weight Loss

A physician-managed non-surgical program incorporating prescription anti-obesity medications, dietary counseling, and regular clinical check-ins. Designed for patients who don't yet qualify for surgery, prefer to avoid it, or need to satisfy insurance-required supervised diet periods before a surgical authorization can be submitted.

3 to 6 months initial program$150 to $400 per month depending on services

Revision Bariatric Surgery Evaluation

A clinical evaluation for patients who've had prior bariatric surgery at any facility and are experiencing significant weight regain, nutritional complications, or unsatisfactory initial results. The physician assesses the original procedure, current anatomy, and overall health to determine whether revision surgery is appropriate and which approach is best suited.

Evaluation within one to two visits; surgery timeline variesVaries based on procedure; insurance coverage depends on clinical indication

What to Expect

The process at Poplawski Bariatric starts with an initial consultation. You'll meet with the physician to discuss your weight history, current health conditions, prior attempts at weight loss, and what brings you in now. This isn't a rushed intake. The goal is to understand your full picture before making any recommendations.

Based on that first visit, you'll be guided toward either a surgical or non-surgical pathway. Surgical candidates go through a structured pre-op process that includes lab work, imaging if needed, psychological screening, and a nutritional consultation. The timeline for this phase depends partly on your insurance, since many plans require supervised dieting before authorizing surgery.

Non-surgical patients are set up with a program that includes regular check-ins with the physician, dietary planning, and medication management if appropriate. Both tracks include ongoing follow-up. The practice treats weight management as a long-term medical relationship rather than a short-term intervention, and follow-up appointments continue well past the initial treatment phase.

Why Choose Poplawski Bariatric

Poplawski Bariatric is a focused practice, not a department inside a larger hospital. That means patients get direct access to their physician across all phases of care rather than being handed between departments. That consistency in the care relationship makes a difference, especially for patients managing complex health situations alongside their weight.

The practice takes a thorough approach to pre-surgical evaluation. Patients aren't rushed into the operating room. Clinical readiness, insurance coverage, and personal circumstances are all factored in before a surgical date is set. That careful preparation tends to produce better outcomes and fewer complications.

The physician-led model also means medical weight loss patients have direct physician involvement in their care rather than being managed primarily by support staff. For patients who've been through generic commercial weight loss programs and felt unsupported, this level of clinical engagement is a meaningful change. Long-term follow-up is built into the practice model from day one rather than being an afterthought.

Insurance & Pricing

Poplawski Bariatric works with major Michigan insurance providers including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Aetna, Priority Health, and United Healthcare. Bariatric surgery is typically covered under commercial plans when patients meet clinical criteria and complete required pre-authorization steps, which usually involve a supervised weight loss period and documentation of qualifying health conditions.

The billing team assists patients with prior authorization paperwork and can help clarify what your plan requires. For uninsured patients or those whose plans don't include bariatric coverage, self-pay pricing and financing arrangements are available. Getting your insurance questions answered before the first consultation saves time and helps you understand the full process ahead.

First-Time Patient Tips

A few things will make your experience at Poplawski Bariatric go more smoothly. Before your first appointment, pull together your medical records from the past few years, a list of current medications and dosages, and any documentation from prior weight loss attempts. The more context the physician has upfront, the more useful that first visit will be.

If you think surgery might be where you're headed, contact your insurance company early. Find out exactly what your plan requires for prior authorization, whether that includes a specific number of supervised diet visits, psychological clearance, or a referral from your primary care provider. Starting that paperwork process early is one of the most practical things you can do.

And don't underestimate the follow-up phase. The work after surgery or after starting a medical weight loss program is where long-term results are made or lost. Showing up to follow-up appointments, being honest about what's working and what isn't, and using the nutritional support available to you are the habits that separate patients who hold on to their results from those who don't.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Physician-led practice means patients have direct access to the doctor throughout all phases of care rather than being passed between departments.
Thorough pre-surgical evaluation reduces the chance of complications and helps ensure patients are clinically ready before a surgery date is set.
The practice handles revision surgery evaluations for patients whose prior bariatric procedures didn't go as planned.

Things to Consider

As a smaller independent practice, wait times for initial consultations may be longer than at larger hospital-based bariatric programs.
Being an independent practice may mean fewer on-site ancillary services compared to a full hospital-based bariatric program.

Service Area

Poplawski Bariatric is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and serves patients throughout Washtenaw County and nearby areas of southeast Michigan. The clinic draws patients from Ann Arbor, Saline, Ypsilanti Township, Belleville, and Milan, as well as from Monroe, Livingston, and western Wayne counties. The Ypsilanti location sits close to major roads connecting southeast Michigan, making it a reasonably accessible option for patients across the broader region who are looking for bariatric care outside a large hospital system.

Local Insight

Ypsilanti is a working-class city in Washtenaw County with a diverse population and high rates of obesity-related health conditions relative to the county average. Access to specialty weight loss care in the area is meaningful given the health burden the community carries. Poplawski Bariatric operates as an independent practice rather than a large health system, which gives it the flexibility to provide individualized care in a way that fits the community's needs without the overhead of a hospital-based program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bariatric surgery options does Poplawski Bariatric offer?

The practice offers sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass as primary surgical options. Both are performed laparoscopically. The physician will recommend one based on your BMI, health history, and treatment goals after a full evaluation.

How do I know if I qualify for bariatric surgery?

Standard criteria include a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with a qualifying condition like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or hypertension. Some patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 may also qualify if metabolic conditions are significant. A consultation with the physician is the only way to get a definitive answer for your situation.

Does my insurance cover bariatric surgery here?

The practice works with several major Michigan insurers and can help verify your benefits. Most plans covering bariatric surgery require pre-authorization, clinical documentation, and a period of supervised dieting. The billing team can walk you through your plan's specific requirements during or before your first appointment.

What's the difference between medical weight loss and surgical weight loss?

Medical weight loss uses medications, dietary planning, and behavioral strategies to produce gradual fat loss without surgery. Surgical weight loss modifies stomach anatomy to produce faster, more substantial results. The right choice depends on your BMI, health conditions, insurance, and personal preferences, and the physician will help you weigh those factors.

How long is the pre-surgical process?

For most patients using insurance, the pre-surgical process takes three to six months. That time includes required supervised dieting, clinical evaluations, and insurance pre-authorization. Patients paying out of pocket can often move through the process more quickly once medical clearance is complete.

What does post-surgical follow-up look like?

Patients return for scheduled visits at defined intervals after surgery, typically at one month, three months, six months, and annually thereafter. Each visit includes lab work to monitor nutritional status and check on how related health conditions are responding to weight loss. Dietary support is also available throughout the follow-up period.

Can you treat diabetes or sleep apnea alongside my weight loss?

Yes. The practice monitors comorbid conditions closely throughout the treatment process. Many patients see significant improvements in blood sugar control and sleep apnea symptoms following bariatric surgery, and the physician tracks those changes at follow-up visits. Medication adjustments for diabetes and other conditions are made as your health status evolves.

Do you evaluate patients for revision of prior bariatric surgery?

Yes. Patients who've had bariatric surgery at another facility and are experiencing weight regain, nutritional complications, or other issues can be evaluated. The physician reviews your surgical history and current condition to determine whether revision surgery or another intervention is the appropriate path forward.