Eligibility for Bariatric Surgery in Ontario

Hello,

I was hoping someone here can give me some help and insight. I've spoken with my family doctor about being referred for Bariatric surgery. She said she would send in a referal for me as she agrees I'm obese and do need to desparately lose the weight. However, she did tell me that the referal is only a referal and it would be up to the people of the bariatric system if I'll be referred for surgery and scheduled for surgery after undergoing several tests. My question is what are my chances of them accepting my doctor's referal if I'm 34, 5'10 in height weighing at 295 lbs with a BMI of 42.3, I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome which causes being overweight and being overweight makes it worse - it's like a double edged knife, it also increases my chances of heart disease, heart attack, MS, and certain types of cancer and diabetes, and my family also has a deep history of heart disease and heart attacks and diabetes on both sides. Will any of this increase my chances of my referal being accepted? I've done and tried everything but nothing had been successful and when I did manage to lose weight I'd only lose so much before I hit a plateau I can't get past no matter what. Anyone in the same boat and got the surgery?

Thanks.

Hi, you should be fine.

The criteria for Ontario are:

      BMI >40 kg/m2 or BMI >35 kg/m2 with significant obesity-related co-morbidities

• Acceptable operative risk
• Failure of non-surgical weight loss programs
• Psychologically stable with realistic expectations
• Well-informed and motivated patient
• Supportive family/social environment
• Absence of active alcohol or substance abuse
• Absence of uncontrolled psychotic or depressive disorder

Good luck!  Where do you live?  My referral was made in early June and I went for Orientation July 2, 2016.  My surgery is booked for April 11th.

Hi Ginnny. I live in downtown Toronto. My doctor will be making my referal this coming Monday, once she's cleared my blood work - she wanted to test my iron levels. 

Wow! You got your orientation fast! I hope I get my orientation just as fast and get a surgery date as soon as you did. Congratulations and I'm glad things have gone as swiftly as they have for you. I hope mine goes just as fast and really hope I get accepted. Where do you live?

I live in the London area so I had to go through the the regional assessment centre in Windsor. Ive read different postings from people that went directly through TWH that seemed to move through the process quicker. I think it really depends on your health issues. 

I was borderline in qualifying in fact I was afraid i was going to be denied. So I consider myself lucky to have come so far and relatively quickly ! 

Based solely on your BMI, you will be accepted into the program for surgery. That won't be a problem. 

That said, you will have to go through the process, and be accepted as a good candidate whom is mentally and physically ready.  

But yes, you will qualify!!   Your current weight and health (from what you've described) make you a viable candidate. 

Good luck!  If you end up going through HRRH, expect a long process. If your application goes through TWH it will probably be about a year.  

(My referral went in May 2014, and I will find out my surgery date on Friday - I'm guessing late April-mid May...  Putting my entire process at just shy of 24 months.) 

I look forward to hearing about your process!  Keep us updated! 

Thanks for your reply and positive energy! Glad to hear your date will be nearing soon! 24 months though is a long time to wait... I'd go nuts lol. I will definitely keep you posted. Please do the same and share how your experience is. How has it been so far anyways? What did you have to do and is it really difficult? What can I expect?

Thanks :)