Canadian Patient Information for Bariatric Surgery

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic Bariatric & Metabolic Institute

The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (PDF) will provide you with a comprehensive program with personalized attention as you work toward your weight-loss goal. We are uniquely suited to meet the needs of our Canadian patients as we have a new facility in Toronto, Cleveland Clinic Canada, that can conveniently provide some of the before and after surgery care for our patients.  An entire team of professionals, in Toronto and Cleveland, led by board-certified surgeons and medical specialists, works to provide superior care for our patients. The team includes professionals from many disciplines; surgeons, physicians, anesthesiologists, psychologists, specialized nurses, dieticians, coordinators and more.

Our specialists will work with your primary care physician in Canada to learn about you and any medical conditions you have that will require special attention. We will communicate with your physician about your course of surgery and recovery, including any special needs or medication changes as a result of weight-loss surgery.  Our Physician Brochure (PDF) provides further information for your primary care physician.

How do I begin?

1. Call or email Kim Keyes, from the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, at 216-636-0795 or keyesk@ccf.org.  She will mail a program application to you and will guide you in the process to begin the program.
2. Prior Approval Application for Full Payment of Insured Out of Country Health Services must be completed by your primary care physician per Ontario Ministry of Health for your care to be paid for.
3. Once you have returned your application, it will be reviewed to ensure that you are a candidate for a surgical procedure, and we will contact you to schedule initial consults.
4. The following initial consults can be scheduled at Cleveland Clinic Toronto or Cleveland Clinic - Main Campus:
   • Initial Nutrition consult
   • Initial Psychology consult
   • Surgeon Evaluation (Virtual Visit in Toronto)
   • Bariatric education (EMMI)
   • Lab, EKG and CXR
5. At the Cleveland Clinic - Main Campus - you will complete the following:
   • Visit with surgeon
   • Clear Anesthesia and Medical Assessment
   • Complete bariatric surgery
   • Follow-up with surgeon
6. Follow-up care
   • Your family physician will be sent a follow-up care protocol
   • Our dietitians will follow-up with you via telephone
   • Follow up visits will occur at Cleveland Clinic Toronto
     or Cleveland Clinic - Main Campus - depending on convenience to patient.

Directions and Accommodations

Directions from QEW

1. QEW becomes PEACE BRIDGE (Crossing into *UNITED STATES* NEW YORK).
2. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT
3. Merge onto I-190 S/NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY toward DOWNTOWN BUFFALO/I-90/NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY.
4. Merge onto I-90 W via EXIT 54-61 toward ERIE (Portions toll) (Passing through PENNSYLVANIA, then crossing into OHIO).
5. Take the MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DRIVE exit, EXIT 177, toward UNIVERSITY CIRCLE.
6. Turn LEFT onto MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DR.
7. Turn RIGHT onto E 105TH ST.
8. Turn RIGHT onto EUCLID AVE/US-20.

Cleveland Clinic Campus Hotels

You have the option of staying at one of three hotels conveniently located right on Cleveland Clinic’s main campus:

• The Cleveland Clinic Guesthouse offers apartment-like accommodations with minimal maid service. Guest rooms may be rented by the day, week or month.
• The InterContinental Suites Hotel provides full-service amenities. For upscale comfort and convenience, the hotel offers 163 beautifully appointed suites and is ideal for overnight or extended stays.
• The InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center adds grace and style to international lodging. It offers 300 luxury guest rooms and suites, along with fine dining, stylish lounges and a fitness center. The hotel is connected to all major Cleveland Clinic medical buildings via skyways.

To make reservations at one of the Cleveland Clinic hotels, call toll-free 877.707.8999.

Medical Concierge Service

Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Concierge program is a special complimentary service for patients who travel to Cleveland Clinic from outside Ohio. Our patient-care representatives facilitate and coordinate the scheduling of multiple medical appointments; provide access to discounts on airline tickets and hotels, when available; make reservations for hotel or housing accommodations; and arrange leisure activities. For more information, call 800.223.2273, ext. 55580, visit clevelandclinic.org/services, or send an e-mail to medicalconcierge@ccf.org.

International Center

Cleveland Clinic has a full-service department to handle the special requirements of international patients. Professionals within the International Center provide the assistance and services our international patients need to help them feel at home. We employ a large multi-lingual staff, and interpreters are available to assist patients. Our staff helps coordinate all the details of a visit, from scheduling medical appointments and making hotel and transportation arrangements to transferring and translating medical records.

Call 216.444.6404 or 800.223.2273, ext. 46404, or e-mail icwebmail@ccf.org.