FAQs

Yes. Karmanos and McLaren locations offer nearby lodging options at reduced rates for patients and families receiving care.

• Karmanos Cancer Institute – Detroit
• Weisberg Cancer Center – Farmington Hills
• Bay City
• Flint
• Pontiac
• Petoskey
• Port Huron

Karmanos offers 15 multidisciplinary cancer teams, each dedicated to a specific type of cancer. These teams ensure that every diagnosis and treatment plan is accurate and tailored to the individual patient.

Each team includes specialists from medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, as well as pathology, radiology, supportive care, oncology nursing, and genetics when appropriate. These experts collaborate to provide comprehensive, coordinated cancer care.

Learn More   See the Cancers We Treat

Karmanos offers a variety of support groups, educational programs, and therapy services to help patients and caregivers care for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during cancer treatment.

View the Event Calendar   Education & Support

Karmanos Cancer Institute provides a wide range of educational, spiritual, palliative care and nutrition resources to support patients and their families throughout their cancer journey. These integrative therapies help treat the whole patient—mind, body, and spirit—alongside medical treatments.

Every patient is also assigned an oncology patient navigator who serves as a single point of contact. Navigators guide patients through appointments, education, treatment planning and coordination with the medical team.

Karmanos provides each patient with a dedicated oncology patient navigator—an experienced registered oncology nurse who helps guide them through the healthcare system from diagnosis through treatment.

Navigators assist with education, scheduling, communication with the care team, emotional support, and identifying any barriers that may affect treatment. They also maintain communication with the patient’s primary care physician to ensure coordinated care.

Learn About Cancer Care Navigators

The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides several helpful services to Karmanos patients, including transportation assistance and peer support programs.

• Road to Recovery: Volunteer-provided transportation for treatment appointments.
• Reach for Recovery: A mentoring and support program for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

Visit the American Cancer Society

You may be a candidate for weight loss surgery if you meet certain medical and readiness criteria. Together, you and your McLaren bariatric surgeon will determine:

• If surgery is the right treatment option for you
• Which type of procedure may be most appropriate
• Whether you are mentally and emotionally prepared to make lifelong lifestyle changes

The pre-qualification process usually includes a series of tests and appointments. You may meet with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other support staff in the sessions leading up to surgery. These steps help you prepare for the changes and challenges that lie ahead.

If you believe bariatric surgery could improve your health and well-being, the next step is to connect with a McLaren bariatric program location to begin a conversation and start the pre-qualification process.

Weight loss surgery is not a simple “quick fix” for losing weight. It is a serious medical treatment designed for individuals who meet specific criteria and are committed to long-term lifestyle changes.

People in the obese weight classification are at higher risk of developing serious, life-limiting diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more. For the right candidates, weight loss surgery can be an important tool in improving health and reducing those risks.

McLaren locations in Michigan offer several bariatric procedures to treat obesity. These procedures can lead to metabolic changes that help improve conditions such as type 2 diabetes. According to a recent national study, up to 90% of patients experienced improved glucose control after bariatric surgery.

Typical weight loss surgery requirements include medical criteria and readiness for lifestyle change. You may meet general criteria if:

• You are 100 pounds or more above your ideal body weight and want to lose weight
• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater
• You have a BMI of 35 or greater with one or more obesity-related health conditions
• Other forms of weight control have not been successful
• You are over 18 years of age
• You are well informed about the potential procedures and risks

Your care team will review your health history, current conditions, and goals to confirm whether you meet program and medical guidelines for surgery.

McLaren offers a comprehensive bariatric surgical program designed to support you before, during, and after surgery. The program typically includes:

• Complete medical evaluation
• Surgical consultation
• Psychological and nutritional counseling
• Complete pre- and post-operative care
• Support groups
• Fully monitored and specially equipped inpatient care unit

This team-based approach helps you prepare for surgery, understand the risks and benefits, and receive ongoing support as you adjust to lifelong lifestyle changes.