Expert: Julia K - 10/6/2010

Question
Hi there..I already had gastric bpass done 3 years ago. I had mine in the states. But now I have a friend who wants to get it done. But I know that the Ontario govt isn't approving for Out of Country. I was just wondering where to go and get the forms to get it done here in canada? Thanks so much. Amanda

Answer
Amanda,

Thank you for your question.  The Ministry of Health still does, in fact, refer patients to the States for bariatric surgery.  Although there are centres in Ontario who have bariatric surgery programs, I believe that the basic process for application is the same.

Follow the instructions from this link to learn more about the preferred providers in the States:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/outofcountry/us_prefe...

There is information about how to download the out of country referral, which must be completed by your friend's family physician and mailed to his/her local assessment centre.  The centres have been designated to triage applications and refer bariatric surgery candidates to a program in Ontario or out of country in the States.  

Synergy Bariatrics in Buffalo, NY has an excellent program.  While the wait for appointments and approval may take months, we at Synergy are able prepare patients and schedule their surgery quickly after initial consultation and pre-operative preparation.

Regards to you and your friend.

Julia Kabakov