Managing obesity and obesity-related health conditions often requires more than lifestyle changes alone.
The Medical Bariatric Program at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) offers a non-surgical, medically-supervised approach designed to support safe weight management, improve overall health and empower individuals to build sustainable long-term habits.
As part of a collaborative Bariatric Centre of Excellence (BCoE) with Unity Health Toronto, Michael Garron Hospital provides patients with access to comprehensive medical bariatric care. The program focuses on evidence-based treatment that includes behavioural counselling, nutrition education, medical monitoring and, where appropriate, medication for weight management and/or structured meal-replacement therapy.
Patients referred to the Medical Bariatric Program begin with a virtual information session to learn more about the program and requirements. Following the information session, patients will receive a medical assessment from an interdisciplinary team that includes a physician and nurse and may also include a registered dietitian, social worker and kinesiologist. The team works with each patient to determine the most appropriate care plan based on individual medical needs, goals and readiness for change.
Throughout the one-year program, patients may receive:
The goal of the program is to help individuals achieve improved health, develop lifelong healthy habits and gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage their weight safely and effectively.
Patients may qualify for referral if they are:
The Bariatric Medical Program can be accessed through referral by your family physician or nurse practitioner using the Ontario Bariatric Network’s (OBN) online referral system.
Please note: While the OBN assigns each patient to a local centre based on geography, physicians have the option of noting a preference for MGH's centre in the ‘additional comments’ section during the referral process.
Referrals will be reviewed and eligible patients will be contacted directly by our program team to arrange an information session. Once patients decide they would like to participate, a medical assessment visit will be arranged.
Visit the Ontario Bariatric Network’s website for more information.
For individuals interested in surgical treatment options, please visit Unity Health Toronto's Bariatric Centre of Excellence webpage to learn more about services offered through our partnership.
In the surgical bariatric program, patients are seen at Providence Healthcare for pre-surgery assessment and care and may receive surgery at one of three bariatric surgery sites located at St Michael’s Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital or Michael Garron Hospital.
To learn more about the Bariatric Surgery program at Michael Garron Hospital, please click here.
