I went through the Weight Wise program twice, having left the first time after deciding surgery wasn't for me. When I gained back everything I lost the first time, I knew I was going to need more than education and will power, I was going to need the kind of help that bariatric surgery would give me. The program is tough in that it's a long wait, and there is lots of work to be done, but they are strict about their standards because they have to be. For every person not committed to attending appointments, journalling their food and attending the required classes, there are hundreds more on a waiting list desperately waiting for a phone call. Bariatric surgery is by no means an easy way out - and the program provides you with everything you need to be successful at it. I can't say enough good things about it, but I will say it's not for everyone. I always found Dr Sharma to be very knowledgeable, patient and supportive, and I really liked the team I worked with as well. I will always be grateful for having had the opportunity to go through this program and for the gift that bariatric surgery was to me, and to my whole life.

Submitted June 21, 2016

I have been seeing Dr. Sharma for almost 11 months now and will likely have surgery in September/October with Dr. Kanji. I have found him to be professional and knowledgeable. Some visits have involved having an intern with him, some have been just seeing him. On one occasion he was late, but on another occasion we were done before my official appointment time had even begun!
He is a big fan of the Canadian Obesity Network, which he is a big part of. He also attends numerous conferences about obesity and bariatric surgery world-wide. His current push is for a drug called Saxenda, which has recently been approved as the second anti-obesity prescription drug in Canada. I was concerned about being put on this drug and spoke to the rest of my team (nurse/psychologist/nutritionist) and they said it was not a “must” in order to qualify for surgery. I have since decided to try it, but have not had great success with it. He does not push surgery and does not feel that surgery is for everyone. I did feel like he listened to me, though, when he agreed to recommend me to the surgeon, even though he originally told me his job was not to make the surgeon’s life easier [by giving them lower weight candidates].
I have lost 35 lbs. since starting the program in 10 months, but have reached a plateau. I am looking forward to surgery.
To note, I had completed the Weight Wise courses prior to getting my first appointment with the clinic and already had a food journal in place. My journey appears to be quicker than most.

Submitted June 20, 2016

I waited for over a year to get admitted to the Weight Wise Clinic. Initially, I was part of a discussion/support group with a psychologist present, and that was really helpful. After that group ended after a few months, they told me that I was 'done' with groups and that there was no follow-up group available. My experience with staff ranged widely from helpful and kind (nursing staff and psychologist) to odd (some physicians sat across the room as though obesity was contagious). One day they told me that they were dismissing me from the program after I missed an appointment. I was very upset and teary, as those who treat weight should be aware of the correlation with depression. A few weeks later, I received confirmation by mail of my dismissal from the program. The letter diagnosed me as 'emotionally unstable', which was both unkind and untrue. My clinical depression was and is being treated with antidepressant medication, and tears should be allowed, not condemned. Bad.

Submitted June 14, 2014

Weight wise AND Dr Sharma have been amazing to me!! They make you work hard to prove you want this surgery and aren't going to self sabotage when the going gets rough! I have enjoyed every single day I've spent at this office and the two times I've seen Dr Sharma... Don't change a single thing, I always feel like I'm coming home when I go for appointments here. :)

Submitted Sept. 25, 2013

When I met Dr. Sharma I was closing in on 500 lb. I could barely walk, I was taken a long list of medications and due to my neck being so fat I was slowly choking myself to death. I was given one year max to lose some weight or I would die. I was ready to give up when I met Dr. Sharma, but he wasn't. It's been seven years, I've lost close to 200lbs (without weight loss surgery), my meds decreased to 1 pill a day. I am very active and I can enjoy life. I'll admit it wasn't easy but nothing worthwhile is. Dr. Sharma had to deal with a tired, angry, frustrated 500lb man, but he managed to tactfully help me fix my problems. I've gone from being frustrated and dying to being healthy, happy and living an incredible life, thanks to Dr. Sharma.

Submitted May 5, 2011

Dr. Sharma is the utmost authority on obesity and obesity (weight) management in Canada. His Weight Wise Clinic in Edmonton (which he founded and practices at)is outstanding. The staff there(support,nurses,dietitians, psychologists,physio and occupational therapists are all very knowledgeable and provided me with the information and access to resources I needed to manage my obesity and more properly manage my weight. Don't get me wrong - by no means do they do it for you, but they provide you with the information and access to the resources to help you better manage your weight if you are serious about doing so. This nine-month program is simply outstanding and I found Dr. Sharma himself to be an extremely knowledgeable,caring, compassionate practitioner. He takes the time to really talk to the patients and has a genuine concern in their well-being and helping them get a better handle on/and control of their weight management issues. I would highly recommend this doctor anytime.

Submitted Feb. 6, 2011

Dr. Sharma is very knowledgeable and understands patients. He had guided me in the most appropriate manner and I always look forward to follow him and visit him.

Submitted May 24, 2010

I was in Dr. Sharma's weight-wise program but dropped out since they wouldn't acknowledge my depression due to my mothers' illness (she later died). They wanted me to stay on program and fill out food diary which was impossible at the time. But the main reason for dropping out was that Dr Sharma misdiagnosed me with ADHD and prescribed drugs (I had blurred vision and have to drive and read for a living, heart palipitations and couldn't sleep from the drugs prescribed). I later found out from a qualified medical practioner that I did not have ADHD. Even had I remained with program - no follow-up would have been done for 2 months until my next appointment that was probably without seeing a doctor. Most people just go along with Dr. Sharma and weight-wise program because they want the surgery but I couldn't. I'll stay fat & healthy or lose weight on my own as opposed to taking drugs from Dr. Sharma's weight-wise program & Dr. Sharma's ineptness.

Submitted Oct. 30, 2009

He made a diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder by asking a single question-did I regularly eat more than I should. To make a true diagnosis, several more questions should have been asked-look at the diagnostic criteria for BED-http://www.edreferral.com/binge_eating_disorder.htm. That can't be ascertained in one question. His clinic is run very strictly-if you aren't willing to do exactly as told, no questions asked, the blame is put on the patient, telling them that they can return when they're ready to be compliant-but compliant means doing what one is told without taking into account that patient's individual needs/problems/concerns. His nurse agreed with me when I complained that there was little or no room for individual patient differences or issues.

Submitted Sept. 29, 2009

Dr.Sharma is at the forefront of obesity treatment. I feel he is responsible for changing the negative stigma that is attached to obese people. I found him extremely polite, concerned, and committed to helping me.

Submitted July 24, 2009