Get expert obesity treatment & online weight loss prescriptions

In Ontario only, Maple membership now includes complimentary access to a new Weight Medication Assessment service. This service is part of Maple’s broader, comprehensive Weight Health program, which is seamlessly integrated into the expansive benefits available to members.

Designed to support members in their weight health journey, the Weight Health program provides a holistic approach to weight management. With the option to explore medication as part of a personalized plan, guided by medical expertise, the program offers a more effective, supportive, and patient-centered path toward weight health goals.

For Maple members outside of Ontario, a range of weight health services are still available based on your location, including:

• Primary care providers
• Mental health therapists
• Sleep therapists
• Medical weight coaches (available in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario)

Yes, you can. The provider will want to discuss your medical history, your current condition, and any symptoms or signs of obesity you’re experiencing.
In most cases, the provider will calculate your body mass index (BMI) to determine if you’re obese based on your current BMI.

Once the provider has given an obesity diagnosis, they will be able to suggest an obesity treatment plan to begin losing weight. If you live in Ontario or Alberta, you can see a weight management consultant online with Maple.

Yes, our primary care providers can prescribe obesity or weight loss medications online during your consultation as part of the weight health program in Ontario. Once prescribed, you can pick up your medication from any pharmacy or have it delivered to your door at no additional cost.

In Canada, only a licensed healthcare practitioner specializing in weight management can prescribe weight loss medications. These same regulations apply to online prescriptions, meaning you must consult with a healthcare professional before receiving treatment.

With Maple, you can connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner  to discuss your weight loss goals and receive expert guidance on prescription options if appropriate.

Obesity is a chronic disease that involves retaining a large amount of body fat. It’s considered a global epidemic that is a major contributor to poor health in men and women of all ages.

Being overweight is not merely a cosmetic issue. When you’re obese, it can increase the risks of experiencing other health problems, like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Obesity is calculated using the body mass index (BMI). BMI is measured by calculating body weight (in kg) divided by height (in metres) squared. If the resulting number is 30 or higher, the weight is considered obese.

You can also calculate obesity by measuring waist circumferences. It’s best used in patients who have a BMI that’s considered overweight (between 25 to 29.9 kg/m2), and increased abdominal girth, to assess cardiometabolic risks.

The most prominent symptom or sign of obesity is weight gain, pushing your BMI to 30 or higher. However, there are other associated obesity symptoms that can accompany weight gain, such as:

• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Easily exhausted by physical activities
• Difficult sleeping or sleep apnea
• Intolerance to heat
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive sweating
• Stretch marks on skin
• Joint or back pain
• Depression
• Infections in skin folds
• Varicose veins in lower limbs

Obesity is often caused by consistently consuming more calories than the body burns through regular activities. These excess calories are stored as fat. However, it’s important to recognize that there are various factors that may contribute to obesity, and it’s best to consult a primary care provider for a personalized assessment.

Factors such as genetics, metabolic issues, lifestyle choices, hormonal influences, inactivity, age, pregnancy, changes in the microbiome, and even quitting smoking can all play a role in weight gain. It’s essential to approach the causes of obesity with a comprehensive perspective and work with a healthcare professional to determine the most effective path for addressing it.

Weight management consultants or dietitians are trained to assess obesity through online consultations. They will discuss your symptoms and medical history, and may ask for details such as your BMI, waist circumference, and any relevant health information. Based on the information provided, they may recommend further assessments or tests. Once enough information is gathered, the consultant can provide an obesity diagnosis and suggest the most appropriate treatment options, which may include weight loss medication if necessary.

The goal with obesity treatments is to help you reach a healthy weight, and then maintain it to prevent obesity from recurring. They’ll do this by first suggesting a weight-loss program that will work for you, and may refer you to a dietician to help you create a healthy meal plan. All weight-loss programs will involve reducing calories, practicing better eating habits, and increasing the volume of physical activities you perform.

Additionally, you may need to work on modifying your routine behaviors to help you stick to your weight loss program. These types of obesity treatments involve participating in support groups or counseling.

If your obesity is being caused by a hormone imbalance, they may suggest an obesity prescription to help return hormones to normal levels.

Less commonly, when a healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t enough to reduce obesity symptoms, the provider may suggest prescription obesity medications. However, these obesity medications may not work for everyone. You may also regain some or all of the weight you lost when you stop taking the medication.

In some people, weight-loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) may be an option. These surgeries either reduce the amount of food that can be eaten comfortably or reduces the absorption of calories. These surgeries are typically only offered when all other weight-loss methods have proved ineffective. Keep in mind, not every patient is a candidate for this surgery.

Some potential weight-loss surgeries include:

• Adjustable gastric banding
• Gastric sleeve
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

Coverage depends on your insurance plan. Maple cannot confirm eligibility, so it’s best to check with your provider using the drug name and Drug Identification Number (DIN). Some manufacturers also offer assistance programs to help with costs.

If you’re beginning to show signs of obesity, and believe you need help managing your weight, it’s a good idea to talk to a provider.

Losing weight can be a long, frustrating process for some people. A weight management consultant can help you develop a weight-loss plan. This can assist you in taking the first steps towards weight loss, as well as monitoring your results, to ensure the plan is working.

As well, because certain other conditions can cause obesity, they can help provide you with a clear obesity diagnosis. Some people may find that dietary changes and exercise don’t work for them, and may require obesity treatments like prescription obesity medications or surgery.

A weight management consultant from Maple will be able to determine the most effective obesity treatments to fit your personal needs.

With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor, nurse practitioner, or dietitian consultant about your symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian-licensed primary care providers, including those specializing in weight loss medication

You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a dietitian or weight management consultant via live chat or video.

Our primary care providers can assess your symptoms and provide obesity treatment online, including weight loss prescriptions, at their discretion.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

Privacy is at the core of how we deliver care. We follow Canadian privacy and healthcare laws, including PIPEDA and PHIPA, to protect your personal and health information.

Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.