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Bariatric surgery is one tool for long-term weight management when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
It can help you manage chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and obesity and improve your quality of life.
Procedures
We offer three procedures at the WMC:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)
- Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
- Duodenal Switch (DS)
Your surgeon will discuss which procedure is most appropriate for you.
Gastric banding is not covered by the Ministry of Health and is not offered at our centre.
To learn more about the types of surgeries please visit the Ontario Bariatric Network.
Assessments
Patients entering the program complete medical, nutritional and behavioural assessments to determine their readiness for bariatric surgery. They may also meet with a psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker. Some patients need to make significant lifestyle changes in order to be ready for bariatric surgery.
Surgical pathways
A surgical pathway is a structured plan that outlines all the steps a patient will go through before and after surgery. Everyone moves along the bariatric surgery pathway differently, and time frames may vary based on your needs.
Most appointments are offered virtually (telephone or Zoom). At the time of booking, a staff member will confirm with you how your appointment will be offered. Please contact the clinic if you have any questions.
Surgical pathway before surgery
Details
Referral is received.
A virtual video session.
A 75-minute individual appointment with a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.
A two-hour virtual group session with behaviourist and registered dietitian.
A 75-minute individual appointment with a registered dietitian and behaviourist.
A two-hour virtual group session with a registered dietitian and registered nurse.
To get consent for surgery.
Surgery is performed.
Surgical pathway after surgery
Event
A 30-minute individual appointment with a nurse practitioner.
A 90-minute group class and 30-minute individual appointment with a nurse practitioner.
A 60-minute individual appointment with a registered dietitian.
A 30-minute individual appointment with a nurse practitioner.
A 90-minute group class and a 60-minute individual appointment with a behaviourist.
A 30-minute individual appointment with a nurse practitioner.
Important reminders:
Please bring an updated list of your medications to all appointments with a nurse practitioner.
Please bring your vitamin and mineral supplements, two days of food records and Your Guide to Bariatric Surgery to all appointments with a dietitian.
Please have blood work done before your six-week, six-month and one-year appointments.
An initial psychologist appointment is two hours. Follow-up appointments are one hour.
Referrals
You can be referred to the Weight Management Clinic by a health-care provider, or you can refer yourself.