Ontario Bariatric Network - How Does This Work?

I'm so confused and my doctor is on vacation.  In February, my doctor referred me on the Ontario Bariatric Network as a candidate.   Both of us were in agreement about a more surgical path.   I called The Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre for Excellence mid March to make sure they had received my referral and they had.  

Last week, I received a message to call the Bariatric Medical Institute (I didn't see the red flag here).  I called them on Monday and they said that they had an Orientation Friday, April 15 at 575 West Hunt Club Road at 2 PM.  I said yes!  They said they would send me an email so I could fill out some documentation ahead of time.   When I didn't receive the email, I decided to call them back today.

I looked up the number for The Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre for Excellence and when I called the person said that they had no Orientation next Friday.  I told her about getting the call and being offered the Orientation on April 15 at 575 West Hunt Club.  She said that was Doctor Freedhoff's office at the Bariatric Medical Centre (which is not The Ottawa Hospital) and she gave me the number. 

Perplexed, I call the number and asked them how I was referred to them and they said it was through the Ontario Bariatric Network. 

Here is their website: http://bmimedical.ca/

I don't see any sort of surgical path offered and I've done the doctor, nutritionist and trainer path before.

Does anyone have any information on what could have happened?

go to a doctor walkin clinic anywhere can refer you and try to be referred for it again?

What may have happened is that I believe that some centres offer both the medical and surgical programs.  Maybe when your Doctor did the referral that they indicated medical instead of surgical.  It might be possible for you to contact the surgical people and ask if that is a possibility in the registration process and if they say yes then ask them if there is a way for that to get switched.  It might be easier than starting over.  I originally started in surgical then went to medical then went back to surgical and I never had to have a new referral so I assume there is a connection there since I just needed to change streams.  Maybe I am completely out there with my idea but worth a phone call to find out.  Good luck and hope you get it all worked out. 

Hi there,

Our office is now part of the OBN and working hand in hand with the Ottawa Hospital to deliver the pre/post surgical care for roughly 20% of Ottawa's surgeries.

Looking forward to meeting with you,

Yoni Freedhoff

Thank you so much for responding!  I appreciate the guidance and I look forward to meeting you too!

Dr Freedhoff and his team are fantastic! My pre-op and post-op was/is with them. They'll take great care of you - promise!

I just had surgery on Mar 23rd and was referred to Dr Feedhoffs BMI clinic through the Ontario a Bariatric Network. Dr Freedhof has been awesome and I feel like the process through his office went much quicker.

Jennexca,

I'm glad you had such a great experience and thank you and everyone else for responding!  I'm looking forward to learning more at tomorrow's orientation.  It was very reassuring once Dr. Freedhoff posted explaining that the BMI Clinic was part of the Network. 

Take care of yourself and I hope your recovery goes well!!

How did it go? :)

How was the recovery?