Canadian Medical Travel Coordination
Last updated: June 2026
Why Canadians consider bariatric surgery abroad
Obesity Canada's Report Card on Access to Obesity Care (2019) reports that the wait between a physician's referral and a consultation with a surgical team ranges from 18 to 106 months across the provinces. Its earlier 2017 report card reported that about 1 in 183 eligible adults (0.54%) receive publicly funded bariatric surgery in a given year. Obesity is recognized as a chronic disease by the Canadian Medical Association and the World Health Organization.
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Treatment at an accredited hospital abroad is one option for earlier care. It applies to planned, elective procedures that can be arranged in advance, not to emergencies, and Maple Med Global sets out clearly how that works.
How treatment abroad works
Bariatric surgery abroad for Canadians follows a clear path: you share your medical file, we match you with an accredited hospital and surgeon, you meet the operating surgeon in a free online consultation, and then we coordinate the hospital, travel, accommodation, and follow-up after you return.
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Maple Med Global is a coordination service; the medical care is provided by the accredited hospital and its physicians, who hold clinical responsibility for your treatment. Treatment abroad is private and paid directly by you. The quote sets out what is and is not included. If you prefer not to pay all at once, instalment financing is available through third-party providers.
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Share your medical file
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We match you with an accredited hospital suited to your case
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If your case is accepted, a free online consultation with the operating surgeon
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A clear quote showing what is included
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Coordination of hospital, flights, and accommodation
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Follow-up support after you return to Canada, including dietitian guidance and a staged eating plan
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Bariatric surgery requires lifelong follow-up and nutritional care; we coordinate your post-operative dietitian support and follow-up from Canada.
Bariatric procedures we coordinate
The main bariatric procedures we coordinate at accredited hospitals are gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, and revision surgery, along with non-surgical options such as the gastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). The specific procedure and recovery plan for your case are recommended by the surgeon in a free online consultation before any commitment.
Procedure
What it is
Gastric sleeve
Gastric bypass
Mini gastric bypass
Revision surgery
Surgical oncology
Gastric balloon
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)
A large part of the stomach is removed, leaving a smaller, narrow stomach, so you eat less and feel full sooner. It is a single-stage procedure and the most commonly performed
A small stomach pouch is created and connected to a lower part of the small intestine, so you eat less and absorb fewer of the calories you take in
A bypass made with a single connection, a shorter and technically simpler operation
For patients who had an earlier weight loss procedure and need it adjusted or converted, for example a sleeve converted to a bypass
Robotic and minimally invasive surgical approaches used to remove tumours.
A soft balloon is placed in the stomach through the mouth, without surgery or incisions, so it takes up space and you eat less. It is a temporary option
Without incisions, the stomach is stitched from the inside through an endoscope passed through the mouth, making it smaller
Each procedure works differently, and the surgeon recommends the option that fits your case after reviewing your file. Surgical techniques vary by hospital and include laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic-assisted options.
Who is suited to bariatric surgery abroad
Whether to travel for treatment is a clinical matter for qualified physicians, and we encourage you to discuss any plan with your own physician in Canada. The specialist who would treat you abroad reviews your file to confirm whether your case can be treated at that centre.
When you share your records, we relay the specialist's view on whether suitable options exist; some cases are better treated closer to home.International guidelines (ASMBS and IFSO, 2022) consider bariatric surgery for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 and above, regardless of other conditions, and for adults with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 who also have a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes.
BMI thresholds are lower for patients of Asian background. Your BMI is one factor; the treating surgeon makes the final assessment after reviewing your medical file.To find out which options may fit your medical profile, complete our short eligibility form. Our medical partners review your information and respond within 48 to 72 hours.
How we choose your hospital and surgeon
We select the hospital on three criteria in every case: the hospital's volume in bariatric surgery, the surgeon's experience with your specific procedure, and an international patient department with English-language support.
We share the hospital we recommend, with the surgeon's name and professional background, before any commitment.
The international hospitals we work with hold Joint Commission International (JCI), Accreditation Canada, American Accreditation Commission International (AACI), or equivalent accreditation. If you want to compare, you can ask for more than one option.
Where Canadians can have bariatric surgery abroad
We coordinate bariatric surgery for Canadian patients most often in Mexico and Turkiye, alongside accredited centres in India and Costa Rica. The right destination depends on both your case and your priorities, such as expertise, language, timing, and travel preference.
Countries
Noted for
JCI-accredited hospitals, high-volume bariatric centres, short flights from Canada, and minimal time difference
AACI-accredited care, high-volume bariatric hospitals, and advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery
JCI-accredited hospitals, high procedure volume, and internationally trained surgeons
JCI-accredited hospitals, established medical tourism infrastructure, and English-speaking care teams
If you have already decided on a destination, we will factor that in. All the countries we work with are listed on our Destinations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Bariatric Surgery with Maple Med Global
As a Canada-based coordination team, Maple Med Global manages every step of the process, from choosing the right hospital and surgeon to flights, accommodation, and follow-up after you return. To begin, share your diagnosis with us or complete the eligibility form. We review your case and present suitable hospitals together with a clear treatment plan and quote.
This page provides general information, not medical advice. Clinical decisions are made by the treating physician(s).