Education & Training, Research, Advocacy & Policy
The International Federation for the Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO) is a Federation composed of national societies of bariatric surgeons and Integrated Health professionals. Currently, there are 76 official national member societies of IFSO and 10 thousand members all over the world. There are also individual members from countries that thus far have not formed a national society.
IFSO is a scientific organization that brings together surgeons and integrated health professionals, such as nurses, practitioners, dieticians, nutritionists, psychologists, endocrinologists, internists and anesthesiologists, involved in the treatment of patients affected by obesity.
One of IFSO’s main goals is to support its members in aspects directly related to their profession. One of IFSO’s main activities is the organization of the yearly World Congress, which provides a forum to exchange knowledge on surgical treatment of severely obese patients, to present new techniques, research and concepts, and to meet the experts in the field.
IFSO was founded in Stockholm in 1995. The first International Congress of IFSO was held in Prague in 1996, followed by Cancun in 1997, Bruges in 1998, Salzburg in 1999 and Genoa in 2000. The first President was Nicola Scopinaro (Italy). To learn more about IFSO’s History please click here.
IFSO also produces a number of guidelines and statements on obesity and its treatment and is committed to the creation of a system for accreditation of individual surgeons and bariatric centers around the globe. The main goal of IFSO is the optimization of the treatment of patients affected by obesity.
In this session of "A Coffee with Dr. Edo Aarts," the discussion focuses on the IFSO-UEMS Certification Exam, providing essential insights for surgeons seeking formal accreditation in their field. Dr. Aarts outlines the examination process and the importance of international certification, offering practical guidance for candidates aiming to validate their clinical expertise within the European and global surgical communities. Dr. Edo Aarts is a prominent Dutch bariatric surgeon, healthcare entrepreneur, and clinical researcher based in the Netherlands. He is widely recognized for his expertise in metabolic surgery and his leadership in developing modern, patient-centric obesity treatments. Professional Leadership Currently, Dr. Aarts serves as the CEO of MoreCare Clinics, a specialized healthcare group in the Netherlands. He is also the Medical Director of WeightWorks and Allurion Kliniek, where he leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to combating the obesity epidemic. Under his leadership, these clinics have become centers of excellence, offering both surgical interventions and innovative, non-invasive procedures such as the Allurion swallowable gastric balloon. Academic Background and Research Dr. Aarts’ clinical practice is backed by a rigorous academic foundation. He earned his Medical Degree and subsequently his PhD from Radboud University (Radboudumc) in 2014. His doctoral research focused extensively on the outcomes, efficacy, and complication management of bariatric surgery, establishing him as a key opinion leader in the field. He previously served as the Head of Bariatric Research at Rijnstate Hospital, a renowned center for metabolic health. His contribution to medical science is substantial, with over 80 peer-reviewed publications in international journals. He also serves on the editorial board of Obesity Surgery, the premier journal for the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). Innovation and Philosophy Dr. Aarts is at the forefront of medical innovation, bridging the gap between traditional surgery and modern medical technology. He is a strong advocate for a holistic approach to weight management, emphasizing that long-term success requires a combination of advanced medical tools, nutritional education, and behavioral support. As a speaker and consultant, he frequently shares his insights at international medical congresses, helping to shape the future of bariatric care globally.
Published
Feb 2026
Dr. Zundel is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Department of Surgery University at Buffalo, NY. Additionally, functions as a consultant for the Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery of Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota, and as Bariatric Surgeon at Jackson North Medical center in Miami.Dr. Zundel has extensive experience with Minimally Invasive and bariatric surgical procedures. He is an active member of the following societies, serving on various committees and executive boards: ACS, ASMBS, SAGES, IFSO, IFSES, FELAC, ABE, ASGE, ALACE. Dr. Zundel has served as a Founder, Active or/and Honorary member of Surgical, Laparoscopic and/or Bariatric Societies in 46 Countries around the world.He was / is the President of several international surgical societies and meetings including the World Congress 2013-2015), the VI IFSO LAC Congress in Los Cabos, Mexico, (July 8-11,2015) and International Federation for Obesity Surgery (IFSO) (2015-2016),. He was former President and now currently serves as Governor for the ACS South Florida Chapter. Also, President of IFSES (2020-2023).Dr Zundel was elected Executive Director of FELAC on March 2017, a Federation that comprises around Thirty Thousand-General Surgeons from Latin America for the next 8 years.Dr Zundel was also voted by his peers and was a member of ASMBS Executive Council for the past 4 years.He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, books chapters, and other educational platforms. He is Editor of or Co-Editor of 8 Books. He currently serves on several editorial boards including: Bariatric Times, Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD), Obesity Surgery, Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy, Percutaneous Techniques, Surgical Endoscopy, Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care in the US, along with 6 other international publications. He is an Ad-hoc reviewer for JACS, World Journal of Surgery, and Annals of Surgery.Dr Zundel has lectured extensively all over the world on Minimally Invasive and Bariatric topics. He also trained and proctored hundreds of surgeons, fellows and surgical residents on Bariatric and Minimally invasive procedures. He has been very active in developing, real and simulation training programs, like the LAP Project. Dr Zundel or his research has received more than 37 awards both nationally and internationally.He received the SAGES International Ambassador Award in 2015, the ASMBS Master Educator Award in 2017, the ASMBS Surgical Innovation Award 2018, Walter Pories Award in Washington D.C in 2021, and now the biggest honor for a Surgeon in his native country Colombia: Master of Colombian Surgery, given in a ceremony in November 2021. He will be awarded with the IFSO Life membership in 2022 and also, the Surgical Innovator Award IFSO 2022.Dr. Zundel was awarded the academic rank of Professor of Surgery at various universities in 4 different Countries.
Published
Jan 2026
Paulina Salminen, MD, PhD, FACS (Hon) received her MD from University of Turku and Turku University Hospital in Finland, where she completed her general and gastrointestinal surgery training in 2005 and her PhD in 2007. She is an upper-gi surgeon with clinical and research interests focusing on metabolic bariatric surgery (SLEEVEPASS PI) and acute care surgery (acute appendicitis, APPAC PI). She has been a full. Professor of Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery since 2019 with a concurrent Chief of Surgery academic position. She is the European Chapter President of the International Federation For Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO / IFSO-EC). She is the past president of Finnish Surgical Society, the current president of Finnish Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery, and past president of both Finnish Digestive Surgeons and Finnish Society of Gastroenterology. She is Editor-in-Chief of Scandinavian Journal of Surgery, Editor of BJS and editorial board member in JAMA. Surgery and Surgery. She is a council member of European Surgical Association (ESA). She was nominated as Honorary Fellow of American College of Surgeons in 2022 (FACS Hon) and American Surgical Association (ASA) in 2024. She has over 240 peer-reviewed scientific publications, 125 scientific book chapters, and 4 edited textbooks. She has supervised 10 completed PhDs and currently she is supervising 16 PhD students.
Published
Jan 2026
Professor Dr. Khaled Aly Gawdat is a distinguished pioneer in the field of bariatric and metabolic surgery in the Middle East. He currently serves as President of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) and has previously held the position of President of the IFSO Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Chapter. He is Founder and Honorary President of the Egyptian Society for Bariatric Surgery (ESBS), which he established in 1999, creating the first structured scientific community for bariatric surgeons in Egypt and the region. In addition, he became the First President of the Pan Arab Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (PASBMS), further solidifying his role as a leader in advancing bariatric surgery across the Arab world. Dr. Gawdat also serves as Associate and Advisory Editor of the journal Obesity Surgery, contributing to the dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field. With over 2,500 bariatric procedures performed since 1996, his clinical expertise ranges from laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion to complex revisional surgeries, as well as pioneering minimally invasive and mini-incision techniques adapted for high-weight patients. Through his career, Professor Gawdat has combined academic leadership, surgical innovation, and organizational development, making significant contributions to the global advancement of bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Published
Oct 2025
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