Obesity is a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. The Regional Bariatric Care Centre (RBCC) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is one of several Bariatric Centres of Excellence across Ontario that provides treatment for obesity. The RBCC assesses and treats patients living with obesity in
Northern Ontario, applying evidence-based strategies, standards and protocols recommended by the Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) and approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Surgical Program
The focus of the Surgical Program is the treatment of obesity and weight-related health complications through safe weight loss and management and support with maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. Bariatric surgery is an option for obesity management that can have major impacts on a patient’s weight and other health-related factors. Patients within the program access comprehensive pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative (up to 5 years) surgical care led by an interdisciplinary team.

Referral Process
Patients must be referred by through the OBN Online Referral System. This centralized system improves the care of patients living with obesity and provides a streamlined approach to accessing surgical care within the province.

COMING FALL OF 2023 – FULL OBN/OCEAN INTEGRATION

Surgical Program Eligibility:

• 18 years of age and older
• BMI greater than or equal to 40
• BMI greater than or equal to 35 but less than 40 with at least one of the following co-morbidities (as determined by a patient’s Primary Care Provider): coronary heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diagnosed sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Educating the general public on obesity and available treatment options can empower patients to pursue evidence-informed treatments. To support this, we are seeking your assistance in expanding public awareness of our program. With your help, we are hopeful to continue in our combined efforts to educate the public on obesity, to destigmatize the disease and to advise of bariatric surgery as a treatment option.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to the Regional Bariatric Care Centre at 807-684-6058. You can also visit our website at bit.ly/TBRHSC-RBCC.