As in the United States, Obesity has become the foremost health concern in Canada. 

This disease, which affects nearly 30 percent of the adult population, leads

to many of the associated medical conditions responsible for death of

Canadian adults.  In fact, Obesity is considered the leading cause of preventable

death in both Canada and the United States.

When this obesity becomes severe, diet and exercise are not enough to restore

good health and longevity.  Bariatric surgery, however, is highly successful in

allowing one to lose weight, and restore health, longevity, and enjoyment of life.

Bariatric surgery is unfortunately not readily available in Canada.  Long wait times

exist, and some procedures are not even available without large out of pocket expenses.

Therefore, many patients travel to the United States for this life saving surgery.

If you are considering surgery, here is some information which hopefully will lead you

to choose Long Island Laparoscopy.

Total Travel Distance or Flight Time*

*Driving miles and Flight time are round trip totals from Toronto, ON,  to surgical offices  for one preoperative visit,

5 postoperative visits (one year), and surgery.  Surgery with LiLap is on Long Island, NY

Check out your travel distance if you're from Ottawa*

                                                      *Driving miles are round trip totals from Ottawa to surgical offices for one preoperative visit,

5 postoperative visits (one year), and surgery.   Surgery with LiLap is on Long Island, NY 

    At Long Island Laparoscopy, we understand that excellent bariatric care cannot be

    provided from long distance.  You deserve to be as close as possible to your surgeons

    to facilitate preoperative and postoperative care, and insure a successful outcome.  That's why our

    offices are as close to you as geographically possible for a U.S. practice.  We're just

90 minutes from Toronto in Niagara Falls, NY and 60 minutes from Ottawa in Ogdensburg, NY.

This way, you don't have to sit in the car for hours braving dangerous weather and

you don't have to stay overnight at hotels while incurring more travel expenses.  Essentially we're your

new neighbors in bariatric care. 

Long Island Laparoscopy; No one's closer, no one's kinder.

Provincial Healthcare Reimbursement

The Ontario Ministry of Health, the Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec,  and

other provincial health insurances may assist potential patients with

obtaining surgery in the United States.  Please contact your primary physician

to begin the evaluation and  approval process.  Once your physician initiates the

process, Long Island Laparoscopy is with you and your valued Canadian doctors

 every step of the way to allow an easy consultation and approval process. 

Contact Long Island Laparoscopy

Travel Arrangements

We have partnered with the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau

to bring you a range of travel and lodging options at the rock bottom prices usually reserved

only for corporate bigwigs. 

Please call us for more details as we are constantly improving our travel and lodging

partnerships to give you the best deal possible.

What's available to eat, see, and do while you recover

* Expected diet for post gastric bypass

** Not necessarily the most popular, but certainly come to mind

Experience

We have over nine years experience, thousands of cases under our belts, and excellent

results to boast.  We have published literature and presented research on bariatric and

laparoscopic surgery at the foremost conferences nationally and internationally.

We perform open and laparoscopic roux en Y gastric bypass,

Lap Band, and revisional surgery.  Our hospitals have longstanding reputations for

excellent healthcare and offer all of the expected multidisciplinary support  for the bariatric surgery

patient.

Follow up Care

Our offices in Niagara Falls and Ogdensburg are as close to Canada as geographically possible for

a U.S practice.  We will be available a mere 90 minutes from Toronto and

60 minutes from Ottawa for pre and postoperative visits.  We have regularly scheduled

education sessions in Toronto and Ottawa to help you through every step of the way.

Our online support network allows you to stay in contact with other patients like

yourself, without ever leaving your home.  As a valued patient of Long Island  Laparoscopy, you

also have access to live chat with your surgeon and nutritionist.  Do other practices give you

such dedicated support?  We think not.  There is no doubt this continued support is invaluable in assuring

continued long term success.

We are available 24/7 by pager for urgent matters.

Emergent matters may need to be handled by the closest Emergency Room to you

with bariatric experience.  We will still be available by page to communicate with your

local physicians.

Provincial healthcare FAQs

                        What is OHIP?

                        The Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers most Ontarians for medical services.  Even, in some cases

                        Out of Country care.

                        What are the requirements for Out of Country reimbursement by OHIP?

                        The service must either not be available in Ontario, or the delay in waiting for the service to be provided

                        in Ontario would result in significant injury or death.  Please contact your primary physician to begin

                        the evaluation of your weight condition.

                        Does OHIP pay for bariatric surgery Out of Country?

                        Yes, in some instances.  Each patient is evaluated first by their primary physician to determine

                        necessity for a referral.  If a referral is approved by both your primary care and OHIP, you would

                        see Long Island Laparoscopy or other appropriate bariatric surgeon.  The surgery, if deemed

                        indicated, would then be subject to further separate approval by OHIP.

                        I am from Quebec.  Does my provincial healthcare have Out of Country benefits?

                        Yes.  Contact your primary care physician to begin the application process.

                        I am from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador.  Does my provincial

                        healthcare have Out of Country benefits?

                        Yes.  Out of country reimbursement (at least in part) may be available for services like bariatric surgery which are

                        not readily available in your province.

                        How does one apply for this Out of  Country care?

                         Begin by contacting your primary care physician for an evaluation.  They will then submit

                        the appropriate paperwork to OHIP or to the appropriate provincial healthcare.  In Quebec one may apply

                        directly by submitting a letter of request describing the medical care required, signatures of two

                        Quebec medical specialists in obesity attesting that the services required are not available in Quebec, a

                        summary of ones medical history, and the name of our practice. 

                        Is there a significant delay in getting approved for Out of Country care?

                        Approval times are variable, but some patients are approved in a mere ten days.

                        Does OHIP pay for follow up care?

                        We provide early routine postoperative care for free.  Later care is subject to approval from the

                        Ontario Ministry of Health.

                        Does OHIP pay for all types of bariatric surgery?

                        OHIP will reimburse for  Roux en Y  gastric bypass, and Duodenal Switch.  Unfortunately they do

                        not pay for Lap Band.

                        Does OHIP reimburse for Travel expenses?

                        No.  But these expenses are tax deductible.  In addition, we strive to partner with airlines, hotels,

                        recreational facilities, and more, to make your trip to Long Island as inexpensive and enjoyable

                        as possible.  

                        What is the cost for  Lap Band  with Long Island Laparoscopy?

                        It is generally considered unethical for physicians to quote prices on an internet forum.  However, we have been

                        able to combine Lap Band and travel to New York into a package that is less costly than many clinics offer for

                        just the surgery.  You'll even have money left over for shopping in Manhattan.  Call or email to inquire more

                        specifically.

BMI Calculator

Visit our Information Superpage  for more information about Bariatric Surgery. 

                                   Or, make an appointment and receive access to our online animated education series.    Contact Us

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