WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY
Currently, weight loss surgery leads to the greatest amount of weight loss. However, surgeries do have the highest number of side effects and require the greatest level of ongoing care. They are not for everyone but maybe a good choice for someone who needs to lose 20-40% or more of body weight.
There are three main types of surgery covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP):
Gastric bypass
Sleeve gastrectomy
Duodenal switch
To be eligible for bariatric surgery in Ontario, you must:
have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher OR
have a BMI of 35 or higher with an associated illness such as
high blood pressure
diabetes
high cholesterol
heart disease
acid reflux
sleep apnea
In addition, you cannot have had a diagnosis of a life threatening cancer within the last two years, an untreated or inadequately treated psychiatric disease or an alcohol, drug or tobacco dependency for the past 6 months. It is also important to note that you must be willing to give up alcohol and carbonated beverages for life following any of these procedures.
To learn more about these bariatric procedures (weight loss surgeries) available in Ontario, please visit:
https://www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca/our-programs/surgical-program