Canada sends gastric bypass patients to US 5.3.05

Canada is sending bariatric surgery patients to the United States to have the weight loss surgical procedure. A study done by the Ontario government says that for the money already being spent, 4 times the number of people could have the procedure in Canada. Approximately 250,000 Canadians are eligible for gastric bypass surgery.

"Bariatric surgery -- often referred to as "stomach-stapling" -- costs about $20,000 (U.S.) at private health-care facilities south of the border. In Canada, the surgery costs less than $8,000 (Canadian), but wait times exceed five years."

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