Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for both the bariatric surgery and bariatric medical programs are set by the Ontario Bariatric Network and varies by stream. Revised eligibility criteria became effective as of May 5, 2026. Please see details for each as outlined below.
Bariatric Surgery Program
Patients are eligible to be assessed for bariatric surgery if they meet the following criteria:
- 18 years of age and older
- BMI greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 with or without other adiposity-related health conditions.
- BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 but less than 34.9 kg/m2 with adiposity-related health conditions
Ineligibility may include (not limited to):
- Current drug or alcohol dependency (within six months of referral)
- Recent major cancer (life threatening, within last two years)
- Untreated or inadequately treated psychiatric illness
Bariatric Medical Program
Patients are eligible to be considered for the Medical Program if they meet the following criteria:
- 18 years of age and older (allow referrals at age >=17.5 years)
- BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 with or without other adiposity-related health conditions.
- BMI greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2, but less than 30 kg/m2 with at least one adiposity-related health condition
Ineligibility may include (not limited to):
- Current drug or alcohol dependency (within six months of referral)
- Recent major cancer (life threatening, within last two years) with active treatment where caloric restriction might exacerbate the condition
- Untreated or inadequately treated psychiatric illness
Referral Process
Referrals to both the bariatric surgery and bariatric medical program streams are managed through the Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) and require referral by physician.
To refer an eligible patient to a bariatric surgery or bariatric medical program in Ontario, a physician must complete the referral form on the Ontario Bariatric Network Referral Portal.
Patients who meet the eligibility criteria are assigned to a Bariatric Centre of Excellence (BCoE) or Regional Assessment and Treatment Centre (RATC) based on the patient's postal code. Once assigned to a bariatric centre by OBN, eligible patients will then be contacted directly by the assigned centre.
