The Cost of Weight Loss Surgery: Your Ultimate Guide

Happy plus size woman

Are you tired of searching the web for weight loss advice? If most of your searches end with results about weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery, you’re probably wondering if it’s an option you can afford. SmartShape Weight Loss Centre is a private healthcare option for those in Mississauga, Toronto and throughout Ontario who are eligible for our world-class surgical procedures and AfterCare Success program. 

Our centres are focused on your wellbeing and we support each of our patients through their surgeries and beyond. Our five-year AfterCare Success Program includes comprehensive, customized health and nutrition support from our registered nurses and dietitians, so you can find and maintain your healthiest body weight while building new healthy habits.

Inquiries about the cost of bariatric surgery are some of the most common questions we get. In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of the costs associated with weight loss surgery and how financing might be an option for you.


What Is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a procedure that modifies the position of the stomach and small intestines to change a patient’s appetite, metabolism, and hormones. People who have had weight loss surgery find they feel full with less food after their surgery.

While it may sound like an intense procedure, it is minimally invasive. Performed laparoscopically, the surgery requires only a few small incisions in the abdomen. Scarring is minimal and recovery is faster than most people expect.

Weight loss after surgery isn’t instant. It’s a process that involves learning new healthy habits and changing your lifestyle. That’s why we offer our AfterCare Success Program—so our expert team of nurses and dietitians can guide you through your weight loss journey.

Want to know more? How Long Will It Take to Lose Weight After Weight Loss Surgery?


Who is eligible for weight loss surgery?

At SmartShape, patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Many patients also have weight-related health problems and have not been able to achieve significant and sustained weight loss on their own. Bariatric surgery can improve some conditions like type 2 diabetes, PCOS, and rheumatoid arthritis.


How much does weight loss surgery cost?

At SmartShape, the final cost for weight loss surgery depend on the procedure chosen, and the best procedure for your needs will depend on your health history, lifestyle, and goals. 

SmartShape offers Mini Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve bariatric surgeries as well as revision surgery. For patients who had their LAP-BAND surgery at SmartShape, we also offer LAP-BAND adjustments

The Mini Gastric Bypass is a two-part procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and bypasses a section of the intestines. 

Want to know more? Discover everything you need to know about Mini Gastric Bypass.

The Gastric Sleeve involves removing the portion of the stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin. It results in feeling full faster.

At SmartShape, the cost for gastric sleeve surgery starts at $19,500. This comprehensive pricing includes the cost for surgery at our licensed private hospital in Toronto, a private recovery room with a registered nursing team, and our 5-year AfterCare Success Program, a customized weight loss surgery support program. In order to make weight loss surgery more affordable, we offer financing for as little as $372 per month.

Want to know more? Am I a good candidate for the Gastric Sleeve?


Does OHIP cover bariatric surgery?

OHIP covers some weight loss surgeries, but public healthcare only covers bariatric surgery if you meet specific requirements and they only offer gastric bypass and in rare instances, gastric sleeve. The wait list for weight loss surgery at a public hospital is also between two to five years.

To qualify for OHIP-covered procedures, your BMI must be over 40 or over 35 with serious weight-related health conditions. At SmartShape, anyone with a BMI over 30 qualifies for our surgeries and we offer two different procedures: mini gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries. When you choose SmartShape, there is also no wait list. Your surgery can be booked within four to six weeks, following your free consultation.

Want to know more? View our weight loss procedures.

What’s the difference between OHIP-covered surgeries and SmartShape?

OHIP-covered weight loss surgeries are performed in public hospitals and have specific requirements that can prevent many people from easily accessing these life-changing procedures. As outlined above, a patient’s BMI needs to be 40 or higher and typically only the gastric bypass is offered. There is also a long wait list for surgery, between two to five years.

SmartShape Weight Loss Centre offers surgeries in comfortable private hospitals, surgery is available to patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, and patients can choose the weight loss procedure that will work best for their needs, goals, and lifestyle. At SmartShape, there is no wait list for surgery, so you can start your weight loss journey sooner.


What are the benefits of choosing SmartShape?

Wait times for OHIP-covered weight loss surgery can be between two and five years. Longer wait times can mean serious health consequences for patients struggling with weight-related conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and joint issues. 

At SmartShape, your surgery can be booked four to six weeks after your initial free consultation with one of our expert weight loss surgeons. A free consultation is usually booked within a week of your inquiry – all we require before your consultation is a completed patient questionnaire for the surgeon to review before your appointment. Before your surgery, your weight loss surgeon will help you choose the best procedure for your lifestyle during your private consultation. This means that within a month or two of your initial inquiry, you can book and undergo your surgery with SmartShape. SmartShape’s private hospitals are clean, modern, and you will have a team of nurses to care for you after your operation. 

Once your surgery is complete, you’re not alone and additional help doesn’t come at an additional cost. With SmartShape you get five years of support with our AfterCare Success Program. Our nurses and dietitians will join you on your weight loss journey to make sure that your personal health needs are supported every step of the way. 

Want to know more? Is Weight Loss Surgery Covered by OHIP? What You Need to Know


Financing your weight loss surgery

Choosing SmartShape for your bariatric surgery doesn’t have to break the bank. SmartShape works with industry-leading lenders to provide convenient and affordable payment plans for our weight-loss procedures. Financing plans and applications are easy to fill out with results in minutes.

Want to know more? Learn about our financing options


Bariatric surgery success stories

Leana’s Success Story

Leana struggled with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) since she was a teenager. It affected her weight and no diet or exercise program seemed to help. After discovering that weight loss surgery can improve PCOS, Leana booked a consultation and then surgery. “I have lost 98 pounds, and I have gained tremendous confidence and strength. I now have energy, I know how to eat to fuel my body and I see results. I am forever grateful that SmartShape has provided me with the tools to live my best and most healthy life!” she says.

Mary-Ann’s Success Story

Mary-Ann has tried at least 14 different diets to no avail. At 53 she was on seven different medications and had been struggling with her weight since the sixth grade. After extensive research and being impressed with SmartShape’s long history of success, Mary-Ann booked a mini gastric bypass procedure. She has lost 165 lbs and says “MGB was the best decision of my life – a true game changer.”

View more success stories.

Contact