Duodenal Switch in Ontario

Posted On : June 21, 2020

Written by Ara Keshishian, MD, FACS, FASMBS
Last updated: June 21, 2020

To find out if you qualify for bariatric surgery in Ontario see the list of Bariatric Surgery Criteria below. To start the process you need a doctor to register you in the Ontario Bariatric Registery . Once registered you will be assessed by a surgeon from your assigned Regional Assessment and Treatment Centre. To our knowledge only one surgeon in Ontario is performing Duodenal Switch (DS) surgery. If the surgeon you have been assigned to does not, at your assessment you can ask for a referral to Dr. Dennis Hong at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Hamilton to be evaluated for the DS. Resources Bariatric Services in Ontario Ontario Bariatric Network Ontario Bariatric Registery Remember, if you do not meet the requirements for Duodenal Switch surgery coverage in Ontario you have the option to self-pay. There is a surgeon in Quebec, Dr. Gagner, and surgeons in the US and internationally that provide these services. Please make sure you thoroughly research your surgeon’s credentials and experience.  

Bariatric Surgery Criteria

These are the criteria to qualify for bariatric surgery acccording the the Schedule of Benefits updated September 2011: 29. Bariatric surgery S120 (gastric bypass or partition), S189 (intestinal bypass) and S114 (sleeve gastrectomy) are insured services only when all of the following four criteria are satisfied: 1. Presence of morbid obesity that has persisted for at least the preceding 2 years, defined as: a. Body mass index (BMI) exceeding 40; or b. BMI greater than 35 in conjunction with any of the following severe co-morbidities: i. Coronary heart disease; ii. Diabetes mellitus; iii. Clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (i.e. patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea); or iv. Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); 2. The patient’s bone growth is completed (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); 3. The patient has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and 4. The patient must be recommended for the surgery by a multidisciplinary team at a Regional Assessment and Treatment Centre in Ontario.

Regional Assessment Treatment Centres

Windsor Regional Hospital Thunder Bay Hospital Sudbury Health Sciences North Kingston Hotel Dieu Hospital  

Pediatric Regional Assessment and Treatment Centres

For children 12-17 yrs old. Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Hospital for Sick Children (STOMP Program)  

Bariatric Centres of Excellence

1. Hamilton Bariatric Centre of Excellence St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Hamilton Health Sciences Centre (Medical Site) 2. University of Toronto Collaborative Bariatric Surgery Program Humber River Regional Hospital Toronto East General Hospital St. Michael’s Hospital St. Joseph’s Health Centre The Hospital for Sick Children University Health Network’s (Toronto Western Hospital) 3. Ottawa Bariatric Centre of Excellence 4. Guelph Bariatric Centre of Excellence  

Don’t Have a Family Doctor?

If you are trying to find a family doctor you can make use of Ontario Ministry of Health – Health Care Connect web site. This program helps Ontarians without a family health care provider find one.