Is Bariatric Surgery Right for Me?

Woman considering weight loss surgery

Have you been trying to lose weight for a while with no success? Are fad diets and traditional weight loss programs failing you? If your health is suffering, your doctor is encouraging you to lose weight, or your BMI is over 30, bariatric surgery could be the right choice for you. SmartShape Weight Loss Centre offers private weight loss surgery for men and women from Mississauga, Toronto, and throughout Ontario who are ready to make a change. 

At SmartShape, weight loss is more than a surgical procedure, it’s about living your best life. Every procedure includes our AfterCare Success Program: five years of comprehensive, customized health and nutrition support so that you can achieve sustainable weight loss and turn new routines into lasting habits.

In this article, we’ll provide a detailed overview of everything to expect from weight loss surgery with SmartShape to help you decide if a bariatric procedure is right for you.

What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery changes the position of the stomach and small intestines. This changes your appetite and metabolism and makes you feel full with less food. Weight loss surgery also affects the hormonal signals that lead to weight gain and after surgery weight loss becomes easier. 

Weight loss surgery is minimally invasive. It’s performed laparoscopically, meaning that it requires only a few small incisions in the abdomen. There is little to no scarring and recovery is speedier than traditional surgeries.

Surgery alone won’t guarantee sustained weight loss. Healthy habits—including healthy eating—are required to maintain your new weight. That’s why SmartShape’s AfterCare Success Program is so important. With five years of personalized support from our nurses and dietitians, you are much more likely to build a healthy lifestyle and keep the weight off. 

There are many benefits to bariatric surgery beyond weight loss, including a reduced risk of medical conditions and financial savings. Want to learn more? Book a free consultation and remember these five questions to ask at your bariatric surgery consultation.

What Are the Types of Bariatric Surgery?

There are three main types of bariatric surgery: Mini Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve and the LAP-BAND system.

Mini Gastric Bypass

The Mini Gastric Bypass is a modern alternative to the traditional gastric bypass. It is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time. It’s a two-part procedure that involves reducing the size of the stomach and restricting the absorption by bypassing a portion of your intestines.

The Mini Gastric Bypass is performed laparoscopically and is a two part procedure performed by dividing approximately a 25% section of stomach from the rest of the stomach.

Locations: We offer Mini Gastric Bypass surgery at our Toronto Surgery Centre. 

Learn more: Discover everything you need to know about Mini Gastric Bypass.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

The Gastric Sleeve is performed laparoscopically and involves removing a portion of the stomach, leaving a small tube or sleeve of stomach. The stomach is about the size of a banana. The Gastric Sleeve procedure tells your brain you are full when you’ve eaten a smaller amount of food than usual and it removes the part of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone, ghrelin.

Locations: Gastric Sleeve is the most popular and effective weight loss surgery we offer for Toronto patients. We also offer it at our OPMEDIC clinic in Laval, QC.

Learn more: Am I a good candidate for the Gastric Sleeve?

LAP-BAND

The LAP-BAND procedure involves placing the LAP-BAND around the top of the stomach, leaving an inch of stomach above the band. That part of the stomach is called the pouch, and it tells the brain that your body is full when just the pouch is full. We offer LAP-Band adjustments at our Toronto center for patients who had the surgery at our SmartShape clinic.

Not sure which procedure to choose? Book a consultation with a SmartShape bariatric surgeon and read: How to decide which weight loss surgery is best for you, which outlines each procedure’s specific benefits.

What Bariatric Surgery Is Not

Have you been told that weight loss surgery is the easy way out or that you should be able to lose weight with diet and exercise alone? First, we can tell you that bariatric surgery is not the easy way out. There are simply some people for whom traditional methods don’t work. And although modern weight loss surgery is minimally invasive, it still involves important lifestyle changes. At SmartShape, our expert AfterCare Success Team guides you through your weight loss journey for five years after your surgery.

Other bariatric surgery myths are that the procedures are risky, that you won’t be able to have children afterward, that you’ll be left with major scars, or that insurance doesn’t cover bariatric surgery. None of these are true. Discover nine myths about bariatric surgery exposed.

There are many misconceptions about bariatric procedures, what it involves and what you can expect. While reviews and first-hand experiences can be helpful, be wary of information you find from strangers online. Refer to respected health resources, like doctors and reputable scientific websites. 

Who Should Have Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric procedures aren’t for everyone. At SmartShape, our surgeons have a set of criteria potential patients must meet in order to receive surgery. These include people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Many patients have weight-related health problems and have not been able to achieve significant and sustained weight loss on their own.

Determine your BMI with our handy calculator.

Weight-related health concerns that qualify you for a mini gastric bypass or gastric sleeve include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fertility issues, and sleep apnea

If you meet these criteria, you are likely a good candidate for bariatric surgery, but only a surgeon can tell you for sure. 

What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery?

Renewed energy, more confidence, and of course, reaching weight loss goals are just some of the benefits of Gastric Sleeve and Mini Gastric Bypass surgery. Many of our patients are thrilled to find that their health issues have improved significantly.

Weight loss can lower your risk of developing heart disease and can improve symptoms like hypertension. It will also mean improved fertility and menstrual issues, and both sleep apnea and diabetes can be improved or even go into remission after a bariatric procedure.

SmartShape AfterCare Success Program

Weight loss success is dependent on many factors, but finding the right support has been proven to be an essential part of maintaining your new weight. Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family is a great start. It’s important to have people to cheer you on. 

Having a team of clinical experts gives you an even bigger advantage. SmartShape offers Canada’s longest and most comprehensive weight loss surgery AfterCare Success Program at our Mississauga location. It’s 5 years of customized care from both nurses and dietitians, who check in with you regularly and support both your physical and mental health needs. Losing weight and transforming your life, while wonderful, can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our AfterCare Success team has the expertise, compassion and patience to help you work through any struggles you may have. Your AfterCare can take place through in-person appointments or virtual appointments, depending on your preference and where you are in Canada.

What To Expect From Bariatric Surgery With SmartShape

SmartShape’s proven procedures and well-organized process make your journey to improved health feel simple and stress-free.

Personal Program Advisor

Each patient has a program advisor at SmartShape who is their primary contact from the time of their initial consultation with a surgeon. The surgeon will help you decide which surgery is best for you and will discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

A Guide Through the Process

Once you have booked your surgery, you will receive your SmartShape handbooks with all of the information you need to prepare for your surgery and the post-op period. But remember, you won’t be alone. Your AfterCare Success Team is also available to help and you will be introduced to the team by the program advisor. A nurse will thoroughly check your medical history and ensure that you’re ready for your surgery.

Experienced Surgical and Aftercare Teams

SmartShape bariatric weight loss surgery procedures are performed at a private hospital in Toronto, where patients may stay overnight and will receive around-the-clock care following their surgery. Your support from our AfterCare Success Team begins almost immediately after your surgery. Patients receive in-person or telehealth appointments at regular intervals to ensure they are progressing as expected through each milestone and know what’s coming next. For instance, you’ll receive guidance on what to eat, when to move from liquid or soft foods to solid food, and how much to eat, plus when you can start doing light exercise.

Monthly Check-Ins & Regular Webinars

For the first year after surgery, your check-ins will happen monthly and you can reach out for additional support, as needed. There are also regular webinars hosted by the AfterCare Success Team outlining the information you need along each step of your journey. After the first year, you can choose how often to check in and how often to take part in webinars.

Want to learn more about what to expect after your surgery? These blog posts will help:

How should I change my eating habits after weight loss surgery?

Workout and exercise planning for bariatric weight loss patients

How can I boost my confidence after weight loss surgery?

Financing Bariatric Surgery

Surgical weight loss may seem expensive but it’s a life-changing procedure that will transform how you look and feel, with lifelong benefits. Plus, our Gastric Sleeve and Mini Gastric Bypass weight loss programs include our 5-year AfterCare Success Program. You’ll be supported by our medical experts at every step of your weight loss journey. 

If you’re worried about the cost of bariatric surgery, there are many financing options. SmartShape works with industry-leading medical financing institutions to help you pay for your procedure in a way that works for you.

Learn more about SmartShape’s financing options.

Bariatric Surgery Success Stories

The team at SmartShape has helped transform the lives of more than 7,000 people with weight loss surgery for patients throughout Ontario and all of Canada. Here are just a couple of our success stories.

Jeff’s Success Story
Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery
Tired of yo-yo dieting and concerned about his health, Jeff did extensive research on surgical weight loss options and was impressed by the experienced clinical team at SmartShape. Since his mini gastric bypass, he has lost 102 lbs and 16” in his waist.

Sara’s Success Story
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Sara had struggled with her weight since childhood. At 26, she had high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and infertility issues. She worried about her health and was ready to live her best life. Sara is now healthy and medication-free. She says that choosing SmartShape has been the best experience of her life.

View more success stories.

Getting Started

Book a consultation or call (888) 278-7952 today to find out how weight loss surgery in Toronto or Laval, QC can help you live your best life.

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