Qualification for Surgery

In Ontario what is the BMI that qualifies one for the surgery?    And if you lose weight before the process starts will you be rejected?

Any other conditions that would cause you to be rejected?   Just trying to have some info for further conversations with doctor.

And do they still send people to the US?

 

To qualify in Ontario you must have a BMI of 40 or greater. If you have diabetes and your BMI is 35 you also qualify. Once you are in the program you are in, even if you lose weight and fall below the thresholds.

Hope this helps.
Harold

Just wanted to clarify about the BMI qualifications... Yes, a BMI of 40 is necessary or 35 with weight related co-morbidities. This includes, but is not limited to, Type 2 Diabetes. Other conditions would be hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, certain mobility issues, etc.

I believe that weight loss prior to surgery will NOT affect your eligibility but I'm only going by what I've read on these boards - not by what I know as fact.

As for rejecting or ousting people from the program (and those who know better can feel free to correct me): smoking (you must be smoke-free for at least 6 months prior to surgery), cancer within the last 5 years, uncontrolled mental illness that will make it difficult to comply with the restrictions post-op, drug and/or alcohol abuse, a history of active eating disorders (anorexia, bullimia, etc.).  I believe the centres will help you address these issues (such as mental illness and eating disorders) to aid you in becoming eligible for surgery.

Nope... no more referrals for surgery to the US. If you are considering surgery, I'd suggest asking your family physician refer you to the bariatric registry. The wait times are getting longer as time goes on. Your first appointment would be an orientation session where you can get the answers to all of these questions and more.

Thea

I did ask the team at TWH and they said once you are in the program you are in. Losing weigt to lower your BMI will not exclude you from the program. I was on the bubble for BMI prior to surgery so I asked :)

I remember that there was someone on this board who had their gall bladder removed during the process.  She lost a considerable amount of weight, and she no longer qualified for the surgery. 

I would imagine that it would depend on the degree of weight loss prior to surgery.

Linda C.

 I was just going to mention this exact same thing... she was from guelph and became quite sick after her gall bladder removal and her BMI fell below the 35 mark (I think she was like a 32) and they removed her from the program

You're questions have been answered but I wanted to say welcome to the forum!!

I did meet one woman at TWH in the waiting room. She was just removed from the program. I believe it had to do with her negative, argumentative behaviour, She said she told them how upset she was with all the waiting etc... Don't no all the details,