NewFit FAQ

Our unique program offers everything you need to succeed. We focus on your wellness and your goals. NewFit offers non-surgical and surgical treatment options. 

We are also proud to offer you these comprehensive care advantages:

• Fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons.
• Specially certified and trained obesity medicine providers and dietitians.
• Our minimally invasive weight loss surgeries are performed using cutting-edge robotics and laparoscopic techniques to get you back on your feet faster.
• Our surgical facility at Viera Hospital is designed specifically for the care and comfort of bariatric patients.
• Our multidisciplinary team can perform most pre-op treatment and testing that may be needed, saving you time and money.

NewFit surgeons perform most accepted surgical weight loss procedures, including:

• Gastric balloon.
• Gastric sleeve.
• Gastric band.
• Gastric bypass.
• Revision and conversion surgery.

Your surgical team will work with you to determine the best procedure for your unique needs and goals. Considerations include:

• The amount of weight loss you would like to achieve.
• Your medical conditions and history.

Learn more about your weight loss surgery options.

Health First’s Viera Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility that was designed for the comfort and safety of our weight loss surgery patients, including: 

• Weight and size-appropriate wheelchairs, beds, stretchers, and lifts.
• Furniture and medical tools designed specifically for bariatric patients.

• Customized bathrooms.

   

• Wider doorways.

We are happy to work with you and your insurance company to find the most affordable payment option and with prior authorizations. (Weight loss services may be covered by insurance based on individual's policy).

• We accept all major health insurance plans. Insurance may cover all or a significant portion of the costs associated with weight loss treatment. Our team will work with you and your insurance company so you know what is covered and how to navigate the insurance process.
• We offer competitive self-pay pricing* if your insurance does not cover weight loss treatment, testing, procedures, or surgery.
• We offer flexible financing options* with the CareCredit credit card to help you get the care you need, when you need it. Apply online today at carecredit.com/healthfirst to get an instant credit decision.

*Subject to credit approval.

Changing your life to feel better and focus on your wellness is a priceless gift to yourself. But there are also financial benefits:

• Reduced healthcare costs.
• Fewer medication expenses.
• Fewer visits to the doctor which means fewer co-pays.

There are several money-saving benefits offered to you when you become a NewFit patient. 

• Virtual appointments are available with MD, PA, and a dietitian.
• NO program administration fees.
• Specialty programs with Health First's Pro-Health & Fitness Center. Consult your NewFit provider for more information.

You can expect to have regular checkup appointments with members of our team.

If your doctor determines you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery, you will need to take several steps before your procedure can be scheduled, including: 

• Psychological, nutritional, and exercise physiology consultations.
• Standard blood work.
• Medical testing and evaluation if you have certain medical conditions such as heart problems, pulmonary issues, or diabetes.
• Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be required to complete a certain number of medically managed weight loss visits with the NewFit team. 

You will be required to follow a diet free from refined carbs, sugar, and soda to ensure the best possible surgical results and safety. We also ask you to quit smoking and to not drink alcohol during this time.

During your final pre-op visit, your NewFit team will go over all of your previous test results and perform a final pre-surgical evaluation. We will also discuss preparation for the surgery and answer any questions you may have. 

Limitations and recovery time varies by procedure and your individual health. Some patients are back to work and their normal activities within a week or two, while others take a bit longer to recover. 

Your surgeon will encourage you to follow a post-surgery recovery plan while in the hospital, which includes walking, sipping fluids, and using an incentive spirometer within hours of your surgery. 

Other post-op requirements, that will take place at home, include:

• Staying adequately hydrated at all times.
• Following a graduated post-surgery diet.
• Avoiding strenuous physical activity or lifting for up to six weeks.
• Attending follow-up visits with our NewFit team members as instructed.

Every surgical procedure comes with potential risks, including weight loss surgery. Your weight, age, medical history, and the type of weight-loss surgery you are having all play a factor in determining your risk of complications. 

Complications, while rare, can include:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Injury to abdominal organs.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Pulmonary embolism (PE).
• Intestinal blockage and hernia.

• Cardiac complications.

   

   

The amount of weight loss achieved will vary from person to person. Your individual, long-term weight loss will depend on several factors including the type of treatment you choose, your starting BMI, age, and your commitment to exercising and eating healthy. 

Weight loss surgery offers longer-lasting durable weight loss (50%–80% excess body weight loss) when compared to weight loss medications which average a 10%–20% excess body weight loss and often require continuous usage to prevent rapid regain. 

Our NewFit weight loss services are extremely effective in helping you lose weight and improve your wellness and health. Losing weight and maintaining weight loss requires a strong, lifelong commitment to healthy eating, regular exercise, behavior modification, and ongoing follow-up care with your NewFit team. 

Losing weight is about so much more than numbers on a scale or inches around your waist.You will also see noticeable improvements to your physical capabilities, health, and overall wellness. Patients who stick to their weight loss dietary and exercise plans may notice:

• Increased energy.
• Quality of life improvements and the ability to participate in activities that had been difficult or impossible to enjoy before significant weight loss.
• Drastic improvement or even resolution life-threatening, obesity-related medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.

We know our surgical patients need lifelong care. Whether you had bariatric surgery at another facility or with us, our team will monitor your progress and work with you to determine whether revision surgery is necessary.

You can expect to have regular appointments with our certified Obesity Medicine provider and certified dietitians. Our focus is on practical, real-world solutions and empowering patients to make sustainable changes that fit seamlessly into their everyday lives.

We offer a scientific approach to weight loss and management by using specific testing and analysis of your metabolic rate and body composition. This approach helps us to know how many calories your body needs and the percentage of fat, muscle, water, and bone.

• Nutritional and exercise physiology consultations.
• Standard blood work.
• Depending on your goals and health conditions, obesity medications may be prescribed.
• Additionally, medical clearance may be required if you have certain medical conditions or have had previous weight loss surgery.

Anti-obesity medications can provide significant, sustained weight loss, especially when paired with lifestyle changes, including meal planning and exercise. Most FDA-approved, long-term options aim for 5-15%+ body weight reduction, with most weight loss occurring within the first six months.

• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
• These medications typically work by suppressing appetite, increasing fullness, or reducing fat absorption.
• Discontinuing these medications often leads to regaining weight that has already been lost, as they are intended for long-term management.