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Programs & Services


Bariatric Specialty Clinic

Provides clinical treatment options for adults with obesity.

This clinic provides medical, psychological, and surgical interventions for weight management and improving health. Support is provided to individuals with obesity who require complex medical management and / or surgical intervention.

The initial clinic assessment determines the patient's specific barriers to managing their weight. The next steps involve developing an individualized care plan with the patient which may include:

  • behaviour modification
  • counseling for nutrition, physical activity, and mental health
  • drug treatment and/or bariatric surgery (surgical treatment for obesity)
  • coordinating care and transitioning the patient back to their family physician with recommendations from the clinic

Clinic staff also assess whether bariatric surgery is an option for clinic patients. Not everyone participating in the clinic is an appropriate candidate for bariatric surgery; other treatment options may be determined to be more appropriate and successful long term. Please note, it takes several appointments and considerable time to determine eligibility for bariatric surgery.

Prior to referral or while waiting for an appointment, patients can self refer to attend group sessions for weight management and improving health with the Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) Weight Management Series.

For patients who have had previous bariatric surgery outside of the Medicine Hat Bariatric Specialty Clinic, please visit:

Contact Details

River Heights Professional Centre

Address
88 Valleyview Drive SW
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8N6
Telephone
403-528-8152
Fax
403-529-8921
Accessibility

Main entrance


Washrooms and elevators

Getting There

Public transportation available

Community Handi-Bus available

Hours of Operation
Days of the Week

Monday
8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Tuesday
8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Wednesday
8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Thursday
8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Friday
8:00 am - 4:15 pm

Access
Service Providers May Include
dietitians, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, registered nurses (RNs), surgeons
Eligibility

Adults aged 18-64 interested in having bariatric surgery with:

  • BMI 35 kg/m2 or greater, with or without comorbidity (eg. hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sleep apnea, depression, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cardiovascular disease) or BMI 40 kg/mor greater with or without comorbidity

AND

  • No severe, untreated personality disorder, active psychosis, active substance dependencies, untreated/unstable eating disorder and/or major cognitive impairment
  • Nicotine, tobacco, and inhaled substance free for 6 months at the time of referral and commitment longterm
  • Patients ability to give informed consent and self-manage required lifestyle changes
  • No hospital admission for mental health minimum 12 months at time of referral
  • No suicidal ideation for at least 12 months at the time of referral
Service Access

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral guidelines and referral forms.

Service Languages
Interpreter/Translation services