Surgery

Our surgical program is recognized across Ontario and around the world for its excellence in a broad range of surgical specialties.

Our surgical team is comprised of a dedicated and high skilled team, including:

Surgeons
Anesthesiologists
Nurses
Allied care experts

Each member of our team is committed to meeting the unique needs of our diverse community within a model of high-quality care.

Our program provides expertise and service through our inpatient units and in our clinics. Our inpatient units support patients through all stages of their recovery. Each inpatient floor has a physiotherapy room for patients to use.

Our surgical program is a national leader in the evolving field of minimally-invasive surgery. Our surgeons regularly share their expertise with students and other professionals. We are proud of our strong affiliation with Queen’s University and the University of Toronto.

Our surgical program is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a robust robotics program. Robotic-assisted surgery is leading-edge medical technology to help access hard-to-reach areas of the body with greater precision.

Humber River Hospital is home to Ontario’s first Centre of Excellence for bariatric surgery. Our program is accredited as a Level 1 program by the ACS. We are the first program outside of the United States to receive this distinction.

All 20 of our operating rooms are linked with an integrated video system. This allows us to streamline patient flow and care. We are also excited to be the first surgical program in Canada to use Steris RealView. This patient-tracking system sends real-time alerts to patients and their loved ones. Your loved ones will be able to know when you check in, to what unit you’re staying in overnight.

Programs

General surgery
Bariatric surgery
Vascular surgery
Orthopaedic surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgery
Ophthalmology
Otolaryngology
Oral and dental surgery
Urology
Gynecology

Resources

Preparing for your surgery at Humber River Hospital
More surgery publications

Medical Bariatric Program

What is the Medical Bariatric Program?

The Medical Bariatric Program is a 1 year medically supervised weight loss program that combines behaviour modification classes with the use of meal replacement drinks. This program is designed to help you achieve your optimum health goals.

During this program you will learn and apply new skills to help you return to self-prepared meals and manage your weight long-term. These skills include how to:

cope with stress and difficult emotions
plan properly portioned meals
read food labels
make healthy food choices when eating away from home
identify and overcome triggers that encourage you to eat
include physical activity that is right for you
learn how to prevent weight regain
gain an understanding of your own unique metabolism
learn how exercise to exercise with chronic disease
boost self-esteem and positive body image
develop support systems
deal with relapses and setbacks

The active phase of the program consists of weekly group counselling/ workshops/education for 21 consecutive weeks and then transitions to support groups. The program follows you for 1 year from the start of the program.

How can I be referred to the Medical Program?

Your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner will need to complete an online referral through the Ontario Bariatric Network Referral

Please note that the Ontario Bariatric Network will refer you to the closest bariatric centre based on your postal code.

You are eligible for Bariatric Medical Program if you have:

18 years of age and older (allow referrals at age ≥ 17.5 years)
BMI greater than, or equal to 35
BMI greater than or equal to 30, but less than 35. With at least one of the following comorbidities (as determined by your physician):
- Complicated Type II diabetes mellitus
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Poorly controlled hypertension

What is your commitment to the program?

To ensure success, participants for our medical program require strong commitment with life style and eating habits. These include:

Attend all weekly classes and all scheduled appointments. Please note that it is not acceptable to miss class due to a planned vacation. If you missed two classes, you will be required to speak with our team.
Purchase prescribed amount of Optifast meal replacement on a weekly basis from our clinic. We do not support the use of other meal replacement products.

Who are your care providers?

The health care team is composed of Internal Medicine Physician, a Registered Nurse, Registered Kinesiologist, Registered Dietitian, Registered Social Worker, and Clerks.

How much does the program cost?

The cost of this program only pertains to the full Optifast meal replacement. There are optional items to purchase (e.g., sugar-free flavouring for Optifast, non-starchy vegetables) which will be discussed at your first visit with the Registered Dietitian. All sessions with the health team is covered by government funding.

What is Optifast?

Optifast is a total meal replacement that provides (per 4 Optifast shakes) 900 calories and 90 grams of protein per day.
The shakes are available in vanilla and chocolate.
Optifast is lactose and gluten free. The product is kosher.

Physical Activity/ Exercise expectations while in the Program:

Exercise is not offered on site at the hospital. Patients will receive one on one guidance as well as an exercise program that is suitable for the level they are at as needed.

Bariatric Surgical Program

Resource books:

What is the Surgical Program?

The Bariatric Surgical Program provides a holistic approach to weight management through surgery and behavioral modification. The patients in this program will need to complete a comprehensive medical, behavioural, and nutritional assessment to determine readiness for surgery. Diet and lifestyle modification is required before, and after surgery to ensure long-term weight loss.

The three main types of surgeries done here at Humber are Gastric-Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Duodenal Switch.

How can I be referred to the Surgical Program?

Your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner will need to complete an online referral through the Ontario Bariatric Network Referral

Please note that the Ontario Bariatric Network will refer you to the closest bariatric centre based on your postal code.

You are eligible for the Surgical Bariatric Program if you are:

18 years of age and older
Have made previous weight loss attempts
Have been a non-smoker for at least 6-months
Are motivated and willing to make lifestyle changes
Are medically and psychological stable for surgery
BMI greater than or equal to 40
BMI greater than or equal to 35 but less than 40. With at least one of the following comorbidities (as determined by your physician):
- Coronary heart disease
- Type II Diabetes mellitus
- Hyertension
- Diagnosed sleep apnea
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Ineligibility (not limited to):

Current drug or alcohol dependency (within 6 months of referral)
Recent major cancer (life threatening, within last 2 years)
Untreated or inadequately treated psychiatric illness

Who are your care providers?

The health care team is composed of an Internal Medicine Physician, Surgeons, a Psychiatrist, Registered Nurses, Registered Kinesiologist, Registered Dietitians, Registered Social Workers, and Clerks.

Resources to help you:

Video Resources

Bariatric Surgery

Healthy Lifestyle

Meal Planning

Dietary Guidelines

Protein

Eating Techniques

Moist Cooking

Vitamins and Minerals

Dumping Syndrome

SW online module

After Bariatric Surgery: 1 Month Class

Before Surgery

When your loved one is considering bariatric surgery: What you can do to help / Humber River Hospital. Surgical Program. — Toronto ON: HRH, January 2017. (Health education publications) 001493

http://hrccatalog.hrrh.on.ca/InmagicGenie/DocumentFolder/001493_considering%20bariatric%20surgery.pdf

Humber River Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program Resource Book: A Resource Book for Patients having Gastric Bypass Surgery / Humber River Hospital. Surgical Program. — Toronto ON: HRH, November 2017. (Health education publications) 005018

http://hrccatalog.hrrh.on.ca/InmagicGenie/DocumentFolder/005018_bariatric%20surgery%20program%20resource%20book.pdf

After Surgery

Nutrition after Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery / Humber River Hospital. Surgical Program. — Toronto ON: HRH, February 2020. (Health education publications) 005127

http://hrccatalog.hrrh.on.ca/InmagicGenie/DocumentFolder/005127_nutrition%20after%20gastric%20bypass%20sleeve%20gastrectomy.pdf

Full Fluid Diet / Humber River Hospital. Surgical Program. — Toronto ON: HRH, November 2020. (Health education publications)

http://hrccatalog.hrrh.on.ca/InmagicGenie/DocumentFolder/005164_full%20fluid%20diet.pdf

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) after Bariatric Surgery / Humber River Hospital. Surgical Program. — Toronto ON: HRH, August 2020. (Health education publications) 001470

http://hrccatalog.hrrh.on.ca/InmagicGenie/DocumentFolder/005018_bariatric%20surgery%20program%20resource%20book.pdf

Featured Program News

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Our surgical program provides patient-centred and innovative care. The interdisciplinary team is committed to meeting the unique needs of our diverse community within a model of high-quality and safe care.

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