After Dr Jörg Zehetner was able to familiarise a total of five surgeons from Saudi Arabia with the LINX Reflux Management System, a special reflux surgical technique, in the summer of 2019, the next five medical professionals from Saudi Arabia now stood together with the Swiss specialist at the virtual operating table. In a special workshop on the LINX Reflux Management System, the Saudi surgeons were trained in the modern techniques of the procedures. While the summer was spent teaching and training in Saudi Arabia, the November workshop took place in Bern.
Johnson & Johnson had once again selected Dr Zehetner as an expert, who now conducted the workshop lasting several days directly in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinic at Schänzlihalde 1 in Bern. In addition to other special facilities, a meeting room with state-of-the-art presentation and video technology is also available there. In this way, it was possible to clearly and comprehensibly demonstrate and try out how the LINX Reflux Management System is to be applied to patients in need of treatment. Dr. Jörg Zehetner was supported by his colleague Dr. Karl Miller, with whom he has already worked as J&J Faculty at several clinics in Saudi Arabia.
After Dr Jörg Zehetner was able to familiarise a total of five surgeons from Saudi Arabia with the LINX Reflux Management System, a special reflux surgical technique, in the summer of 2019, the next five medical professionals from Saudi Arabia now stood together with the Swiss specialist at the virtual operating table. In a special workshop on the LINX Reflux Management System, the Saudi surgeons were trained in the modern techniques of the procedures. While the summer was spent teaching and training in Saudi Arabia, the November workshop took place in Bern.
Johnson & Johnson had once again selected Dr Zehetner as an expert, who now conducted the workshop lasting several days directly in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinic at Schänzlihalde 1 in Bern. In addition to other special facilities, a meeting room with state-of-the-art presentation and video technology is also available there. In this way, it was possible to clearly and comprehensibly demonstrate and try out how the LINX Reflux Management System is to be applied to patients in need of treatment. Dr. Jörg Zehetner was supported by his colleague Dr. Karl Miller, with whom he has already worked as J&J Faculty at several clinics in Saudi Arabia.
EMEA trainings bring regions together
EMEA is the grouping of Europe, the Middle East and the Americas that Johnson & Johnson has put together specifically to further develop treatments and surgical techniques for reflux disease. At the same time, these are the regions where reflux diseases requiring treatment are becoming more frequent.
As with the training sessions in the two German cities of Speyer and Wiesbaden, the focus of the training sessions was once again on the LINX magnetic ring, which brings decisive advantages for the new treatment technique.
Reflux diseases on the rise
The number of new cases of reflux disease continues to increase in the EMEA regions. Reasons for this include a changed lifestyle with sumptuous food and a corresponding increase in obesity. Even though this is a rather new form of affluent disease in the Middle East, it is still on the rise. Accordingly, it is important to already familiarise the appropriate medical professionals with the current expertise on the LINX Reflux Management System.
Typical signs of chronic reflux disease are frequent acid regurgitation, heartburn and burning in the stomach. The decisive factor here is not the occasional occurrence of such complaints, but a continuous and/or frequent observation of such symptoms with the corresponding sequelae, which can manifest themselves primarily in damage to the oesophagus due to constant contact with stomach acid. Subsequent changes in the mucous membrane of the oesophagus can be the first signs of oesophageal cancer. It is therefore advisable, especially for reflux patients over the age of 50, to have a preventive check-up, which should also be combined with a gastroscopy.
For 20 percent of the Swiss population, this is not an unknown disease, while in the countries of the Middle East, however, similar accumulations can already be predicted now. If you want to learn more about reflux disease, we recommend studying the relevant specialist articles on the Swiss1Chirurgie website or in the Swiss1Chirurgie APP.
More quality in reflux treatment through improved education and training
For Dr. Jörg Zehetner, a faculty member of Johnson & Johnson, it is clear that quality in reflux treatment is primarily a question of the appropriate surgical techniques. Continuing education is also seen as correspondingly important, always focusing on the latest and most successful methods in reflux treatment.
Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the most experienced surgeons in this field, both nationally and internationally. Accordingly, it is also the right decision to continue to promote the training and further education of colleagues in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but also in the USA and in Saudi Arabia, for example, with this professionalism.
Together, J&J and Dr Zehetner are planning about two to three English-language EMEA workshops per year in Bern. In addition, there will be four to five further LINX workshops for German-speaking colleagues, also in Bern. This offer is completed by two to three further training series in Hamburg (at the J&J Institute Norderstedt, the J&J training and development centre) including a masterclass training series. This could at least meet the first major demand for specialised training series on the LINX Reflux Management System.
When the specialists at Swiss1Chirurgie look for the best ways to treat patients, it always has a lot to do with research, scientific work and the publication of the latest findings and methods.
The doctors at Swiss1Chirurgie under Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner specialise in obesity surgery as well as medical treatments under the umbrella term UpperGI. This includes, for example, interventions in the areas of reflux, diaphragmatic hernias, oesophageal and stomach cancer. Another field of work of Swiss1Chirurgie is visceral surgery, which is also colloquially referred to as abdominal surgery. In all these specialties, the medical professionals not only work on the patients themselves, but also, and above all, in parallel in the areas of research and further development of methods and techniques.
International prize goes to Swiss1Chirurgie
While Prof. Dr Jörg Zehetner was still attending the OESO Congress in Beijing, Swiss1Chirurgie received a special honour. At the ASMBS Meeting 2019 in November in Las Vegas, USA, Dr Catherine Tsai received the International Award for the best video presentation of a surgical procedure.
Dr Catherine Tsai
Dr Catherine Tsai has been working as a research assistant at Swiss1Chirurgie in Bern for the past two years, and her scientific research work significantly supports further development at the Swiss1Chirurgie sites in Switzerland.
In the video presentation “Laparoscopic Conversion from Gastric Sleeve to RY Gastric Bypass with Remnant Gastrectomy using Fluorescent Angiography” by Dr Tsai, Dr Steffen and Dr Zehetner, you can see the laparoscopic conversion from a sleeve (tubular stomach) to a gastric bypass, whereby here the remaining stomach was completely resected for medical reasons. Fluorescent angiography was used to check the blood flow in the gastric pouch and duodenum, as shown in this video.
Swiss1Chirurgie continues its series of successes
The latest award ceremony for Swiss1Chirurgie and thus also for the Centre for Bariatric Surgery ZfBC continues a series of successes that have long since made the specialists Dr Jörg Zehetner, Dr Catherine Tsai, Dr Steffen and Dr Metzger real experts with an international reputation. We only need to refer to the numerous publications and prizes that were awarded to Swiss1Chirurgie last year.
The medical specialists are less concerned with fame and more with scientific, methodical and ultimately medical progress in the interest of the patients. Various studies are being carried out with the Inselspital Bern as well as in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics and the Centre for Bariatric Surgery. The results of such studies primarily benefit the patients of Swiss1Chirurgie, underpin the outstanding international reputation of the specialists and, last but not least, form the basis for new developments in the specialist areas of Swiss1Chirurgie.
For the sake of completeness, we summarise here the most important publications, lectures and awards of Swiss1Chirurgie from the past years:
Swiss1Chirurgie accepts international award
When the specialists at Swiss1Chirurgie look for the best ways to treat patients, it always has a lot to do with research, scientific work and the publication of the latest findings and methods.
The doctors at Swiss1Chirurgie under Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner specialise in obesity surgery as well as medical treatments under the umbrella term UpperGI. This includes, for example, interventions in the areas of reflux, diaphragmatic hernias, oesophageal and stomach cancer. Another field of work of Swiss1Chirurgie is visceral surgery, which is also colloquially referred to as abdominal surgery. In all these specialties, the medical professionals not only work on the patients themselves, but also, and above all, in parallel in the areas of research and further development of methods and techniques.
International prize goes to Swiss1Chirurgie
While Prof. Dr Jörg Zehetner was still attending the OESO Congress in Beijing, Swiss1Chirurgie received a special honour. At the ASMBS Meeting 2019 in November in Las Vegas, USA, Dr Catherine Tsai received the International Award for the best video presentation of a surgical procedure.
Dr Catherine Tsai
Dr Catherine Tsai has been working as a research assistant at Swiss1Chirurgie in Bern for the past two years, and her scientific research work significantly supports further development at the Swiss1Chirurgie sites in Switzerland.
In the video presentation “Laparoscopic Conversion from Gastric Sleeve to RY Gastric Bypass with Remnant Gastrectomy using Fluorescent Angiography” by Dr Tsai, Dr Steffen and Dr Zehetner, you can see the laparoscopic conversion from a sleeve (tubular stomach) to a gastric bypass, whereby here the remaining stomach was completely resected for medical reasons. Fluorescent angiography was used to check the blood flow in the gastric pouch and duodenum, as shown in this video.
Swiss1Chirurgie continues its series of successes
The latest award ceremony for Swiss1Chirurgie and thus also for the Centre for Bariatric Surgery ZfBC continues a series of successes that have long since made the specialists Dr Jörg Zehetner, Dr Catherine Tsai, Dr Steffen and Dr Metzger real experts with an international reputation. We only need to refer to the numerous publications and prizes that were awarded to Swiss1Chirurgie last year.
The medical specialists are less concerned with fame and more with scientific, methodical and ultimately medical progress in the interest of the patients. Various studies are being carried out with the Inselspital Bern as well as in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics and the Centre for Bariatric Surgery. The results of such studies primarily benefit the patients of Swiss1Chirurgie, underpin the outstanding international reputation of the specialists and, last but not least, form the basis for new developments in the specialist areas of Swiss1Chirurgie.
For the sake of completeness, we summarise here the most important publications, lectures and awards of Swiss1Chirurgie from the past years:
Swiss1Chirurgie Research Fellowship (2017-2019)
Conferences (number of presentations)
International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders-European Chapter (IFSO-EC), Athens, Greece, May 2018 (3)
European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES), London, UK,May 2018 (2)
Digestive Disease Week – Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (DDW – SSAT),Washington DC, June 2018 (3)
IFSO, Dubai, UAESeptember 2018, (4)
American College of Surgeons (ACS), Boston, MA, October 2018 (2)
SAGES, April 2019, Baltimore, MD (2)
World Congress on Interventional Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes (WCITD), April 2019, New York, NY (1)
DDW, May 2019, San Diego, CA (1)
Swiss Surgical Society, May 2019, Bern, Switzerland (6)
ASMBS Obesity Week, November 2019, Las Vegas, Nevada (2)
Publications (4)
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Merki H, Zehetner J, “Short-term outcomes of endoscopic gastro-jejunal revisions for treatment of dumping syndrome after Roux-En-Y gastric bypass,” Surgical Endoscopy, September 2019
Tsai C, Zeheter J, Beel J, Steffen R, “Long-term outcomes and frequency of revisional bariatric surgeries beyond 15 years after gastric banding: A high band failure rate with safe revisions,” SOARD, February 2019
Tsai C, Kessler U, Steffen R, Merki H, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic Gastrojejunal Revisions Following Gastric Bypass: Lessons Learned In More Than 100 Consecutive Patients,” Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, September 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Steffen R, Merki H, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic Closure of Gastro-gastric Fistula After Gastric Bypass: a Technically Feasible Procedure but Associated with Low Success Rate,” Obesity Surgery, September 2018
Oral Presentations (16)
Tsai C, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease after Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass” (Video) ASMBS November 5, 2019
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Steffen R, “Laparoscopic Conversion from Gastric Sleeve to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with Remnant Gastrectomy using Fluorescent Angiography” (Video) ASMBS November 6, 2019
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Bally L, Steffen R, “Impact of roux-en-y gastric bypass alimentary limb length on long-term weight loss, diabetes, and dumping syndrome outcomes,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland May 17, 2019
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Beel J, Steffen R, “Long-term outcomes and frequency of revisional bariatric surgeries 15 years and beyond after gastric banding: A high band failure rate with safe revisions,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland May 16, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Lipham J, Zehetner J, “Post-operative dysphagia following magnetic sphincter augmentation for gastroesophageal reflux disease,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland, May 15, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic gastro-jejunal revisions for treatment of dumping syndrome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass,” SAGES, Baltimore, MA April 4, 2019
Tsai C, Zeheter J, “Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Posterior Cruroplasty and Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation in a Patient with GERD and Large Type III Hiatal Hernia,” ACS, Boston, Massachusetts, October 24, 2018 (video)
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Laparoscopic Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation with routine Posterior Cruroplasty: Postoperative Dysphagia and Hiatal Hernia Recurrence,” ACS, Boston, Massachusetts, October 25, 2018 (quickshot)
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Kessler U, Steffen R, “Long-term results of pancreatectomy for post-gastric bypass hypoglycemia,” IFSO, Dubai, UAE, September 27, 2018
Tsai C, Zehetner J, “Conversion of gastric banding to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with perfusion assessment using laser-assisted fluorescence angiography,” IFSO, Dubai, UAE, September 27, 2018 (video)
Tsai C, Zehetner J, “Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with perfusion assessment using laser-assisted fluorescence angiography,” IFSO Dubai, UAE, September 28, 2018 (video)
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic gastrojejunal revisions following gastric bypass: lessons learned in more than 100 consecutive procedures,” Digestive Disease Week (SSAT sessions), Washington DC, June 5, 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic closure of gastro-gastric fistula after gastric bypass: a technically feasible procedure but associated with low success-rate,” Digestive Disease Week (SSAT sessions), Washington DC, June 4, 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Dumping syndrome after gastric bypass: endoluminal revision of the dilated gastrojejunostomy is a safe and highly effective treatment option,” presented as oral presentation as part of Best Abstracts session at International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, European Chapter (IFSO-EC), Athens, Greece, May 19, 2018
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Kessler U, Steffen R, “Outcomes 15 years and beyond following adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity: high band failure rate with safe revisions,” IFSO-EC, Athens, Greece, May 17, 2018
Tsai C, Steffen R, “Re-sleeve with silastic ring and crurorhaphy in a rare case of severe hyperinsulimic hypoglycemia after sleeve gastrectomy,” IFSO-EC, Athens, Greece, May 18, 2018 (video)
Poster Presentations (10)
Tsai C, Zehetner J, Bally L, Steffen R, “Long-term weight loss, diabetes, and dumping syndrome outcomes after short versus long alimentary limb roux-en-y gastric bypass,” DDW (SSAT sessions), San Diego, CA May 21, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Perfusion assessment using laser-assisted fluorescence angiography during conversion of gastric band to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland May 15-17, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with posterior cruroplasty and magnetic sphincter augmentation in patient with refux and large type III hiatal hernia,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland, May 15-17, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Zehetner J, “Gastroesophageal reflux disease after bariatric surgery: Magnetic sphincter augmentation in patients with normal esophageal motility,” Swiss Surgical Society Congress, Bern, Switzerland, May 15-17, 2019
Tsai C, Herzig D, Zehetner J, Kosinski C, Kunezli C, Stauffer TP, Nett P, Steffen R, Stettler C, Bally L, “Incretin response in patients with postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia following gastric bypass surgery with or without extended distal pancreatectomy,” World Congress on Interventional Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes (WCITD), New York, NY, April 8-10, 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Lipham J, Zehetner J, “Post-operative Dysphagia Following Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease,” SAGES, Baltimore, April 3 – 6 2019
Tsai C, Steffen R, Kessler U, Zehetner J, “Gastroesophageal reflux disease after bariatric surgery: magnetic sphincter augmentation in patients with normal esophageal motility,” IFSO, Dubai, UAE, September 26-29, 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Dumping syndrome after gastric bypass: endoluminal revision of the dilated gastrojejunostomy is a safe and highly effective treatment option,” DDW (SSAT sessions), Washington DC on June 5, 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic gastrojejunal revisions following gastric bypass: lessons learned in more than 100 consecutive procedures,” European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons (EAES) in London, United Kingdom May 31-June 1 2018
Tsai C, Kessler U, Merki H, Steffen R, Zehetner J, “Endoscopic closure of gastro-gastric fistula after gastric bypass: a technically feasible procedure but associated with low success-rate,” EAES, London, United Kingdom May 31-June 1 2018
Awards
Best Video Presentation International Award, ASMBS Obesity Week, 2019
SSAT Resident and Fellowship session honoree, Digestive Disease Week, 2018
For Christmas 2019, I would like to send you the best greetings and wishes from your Swiss1chirurgie clinic. At the same time, I would like to personally thank you for the trust you have placed in us by choosing Swiss1Chirurgie 2019.
For you, the Christmas season is certainly as special a time as it is for us. Especially when you are thinking about the progress of your recovery or preparing for an upcoming treatment. No matter what stage of recovery you are in, we sincerely wish you all the best. And we will continue to be by your side, accompanying and helping you.
Especially the time around Christmas is a time of peace and contemplation. For many of you it is also a time of introspection. Now new plans are being made for a better and, above all, healthier new year. But now also take the time for your family and friends. These are the most important people in your life and your best allies in regaining your health. So that 2020 can also be a good year.
In this context, I am reminded of a saying that always reminds me of the importance of our health: health is not everything, but without health everything is nothing!
In this spirit, I wish you a relaxed Christmas, many loving moments and, above all, a healthy but also happy 2020.
And if you are already on the road to recovery or have made the decision to live a healthier life, it will certainly be a Christmas that is very different from any other Christmas before it.
At any rate, this is what wishes you
Your Dr Jörg Zehetner
Swiss1Chirurgie
P.S. If you still have some time left between all the presents and temptations of the Christmas season, why not catch up on the news from our clinics on our new Swiss1Chirurgie app and get some inspiration for an even healthier life in 2020.
The new year is now a few days old and for many people everyday life has already returned. Yet 2020 began with many good intentions. Less kilos, more sport and active exercise are the most frequently mentioned good intentions for the new year, along with giving up cigarettes and spending more time with the family.
It is becoming clear that more and more people are taking a more conscious look at their own health and are focusing their plans on fitness, resilience and having more fun with active exercise. Especially when overweight, digestive complaints, stomach problems or reflux are daily companions in life, active exercise or regular sport is the way out of the vicious circle for many Swiss people.
We at Swiss1Chirurgie know that especially in cases of morbid obesity, sporting activity is often difficult to implement and ambition quickly wanes if the pounds do not fall off so clearly and quickly. One quickly falls back into old habits or tries to find other excuses for the supposed failure. In many such cases, bariatric surgery may be the best long-term solution. And even after such an operation, physical activity is one of the most important rules if the excess weight is to be permanently reduced and a healthier lifestyle maintained.
Snowshoeing is a clear recommendation
Especially in the cold season, the choice for recreational sports is somewhat limited. Cycling, classic hiking, jogging or water sports are often ruled out due to the weather. For some, the only option seems to be to go to the gym or the swimming pool. But many overweight people also fail to do this, mainly for psychological reasons. The shame of showing one’s own body openly, the fear of hidden smiles up to open hostility and certainly also fears of failure make the way into the dumbbell gyms and swimming pools even more difficult. Classic winter sports such as cross-country skiing, skiing, snowboarding or ice skating are also rarely possible.
The good variant of relaxed but active hiking in winter is snowshoeing. Even the old mountain farmers at high altitudes in Switzerland used snowshoes to get around in winter when the snow was heavy. Today, that is actually no longer necessary. But snowshoeing has become a popular leisure activity in winter, which is definitely a good choice of means for overweight people and also reflux patients.
The somewhat more difficult running requires, in addition to a certain degree of discipline, above all endurance and attention to one’s own body. Since snowshoeing is also only possible outdoors, it also contributes to a better supply of fresh air for the organism. Another nice thing about snowshoeing is that it can be done alone or in a group. In addition, there are specially prepared and signposted routes for snowshoe hiking, especially in the winter sports regions of Switzerland. Perfect for all those for whom skiing and tobogganing are rather unsuitable and who nevertheless do not want to do without sporting activity even in snowy winters.
We have the right equipment
For those who are now more intensively interested in snowshoeing, we offer an excellent possibility to get the sports equipment for snowshoeing quickly, easily and without additional costs. Together with Suzuki Switzerland, Swiss1Chirurgie is giving away a total of 50 snowshoe sets, each with a pair of snowshoes and matching poles.
However, you have to be quick here. Because only the first 50 entrants can enjoy new snowshoes for free and then start their snowshoeing experience with Suzuki snowshoes.
Click here to go to the competition
But also for everyone else, snowshoeing is a clear recommendation for more activity in winter. This applies to normal weight people as well as to overweight people or those with certain complaints.
Of course, we will be happy to advise you in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics in Brig, Solothurn and Bern about your very individual options for an active life. This way, you may be able to keep your good resolutions for 2020 a little better and achieve the first results soon. Maybe even with a snowshoe set from Swiss1Chirurgie and Suzuki Switzerland. Have fun and above all wish you a healthy new year Jörg Zehetner and the entire Swiss1Chirurgie team.
The GP Bern has been one of the world’s best-known popular races with international appeal since 1982. The Old Town Run and the Grand Prix Bern are among the ten most beautiful courses in the world and are also visited time and again by international running celebrities.
We want to take part in the run together with employees and patients of the ZfbC and Swiss1Chirurgie as a team on 09 May 2020. The registration period is running. You can find out more about the Grand Prix Bern with Swiss1Chirurgie and ZfbC as well as the possibilities for team participation in the detailed article (LINK).
We look forward to your registration and to a wonderful day in May!
Your
Jörg Zehetner
With Swiss1Chirurgie and the ZfbC to the Grand Prix in Bern
The Grand Prix Bern has been an integral part of Switzerland’s running calendar since 1982. International runners have also long since discovered the challenging 10-mile race for themselves and names such as three-time Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia, world champion Martina Strähl from Switzerland or Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) grace the start lists of the Bern Grand Prix alongside national and international athletics celebrities.
The Grand Prix Bern is not only a gathering of the world’s best runners, but also a meeting place for ambitious amateur athletes from all walks of life. Whoever tackles the easy to challenging run on the road between 4.8 and 16.01 kilometres knows they are in the company of the great athletes of our time. More important than that, however, is the certainty that taking part in the Old Town Run (4.8 kilometres) or the Grand Prix (16.01 kilometres) is a challenge for body and psyche and always a good contribution to maintaining and improving health and fitness.
Swiss1Chirurgie and ZfbC invite you to the run
In 2019, Swiss1Chirurgie and the Centre for Bariatric Surgery (ZfbC) have again participated as a team in the GP Bern. And that should be the case again in 2020. Both employees of Swiss1Chirurgie and the ZfbC as well as patients with the appropriate will and physical conditions can participate as team players in the Old Town Run or the Grand Prix.
The doctors and therapists from Swiss1Chirurgie and ZfbC are particularly committed to the patients in advance. Thus, former and current patients can get individual advice from the specialists and also receive sport and health advice in preparation for the GP Bern. After all, the point of participation is not to achieve best values, but to aim for very personal goals, taking into account individual conditions. Ultimately, participation in the Old Town Run or the Grand Prix should be a contribution to the health and fitness of the participants. This is the deeper meaning of such a popular race, as Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner also knows from his own experience of participating in many long-distance races.
Application deadline runs
As “Team swiss1chirurgie &zfbc” we want to compete together with staff and patients in the Old Town Run and Grand Prix in Bern on 09 May 2020. Staff and patients can now sign up to participate in the registration list. The deadline for registration is 29 March 2020. The lists of participants are available in our clinics. Participants can also register online via the Swiss1Chirurgie app.
Participation is free of charge for the first 20 registered participants. All registered participants will receive a team shirt for the run on 09 May 2020 in Bern. We are already looking forward to a lively interest. Because last but not least, taking part in the Altstadtlauf or the Grand Prix Bern is a good contribution to keeping healthy and is even more fun as a team.
Even more information about the GP Bern and participation is available at www.gpbern.ch and of course on the Swiss1ChirurgieVictoryAPP (LINK).
The Centre for Bariatric Surgery (ZfbC) and Swiss1Chirurgie specialise, among other things, in patients who are seeking comprehensive medical help with accompanying care due to a serious and morbid obesity problem. Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner, as the leading mind behind the ZfbC and Swiss1Chirurgie, knows that the path from severely overweight patients to a happier and fulfilled life is not an easy one. For decades, he has treated and cared for patients who nevertheless take this long journey. Clear progress can be seen just as much as an occasional relapse into old habits and the difficult fight against obesity and the prejudices associated with it.
Sina Gossweiler has embarked on a long journey
Dr Jörg Zehetner has also been able to count Sina Gossweiler among his patients for several years. Many people know the young woman from the show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” (DSDS), where the Wattenwil native was able to convince with a magnificent voice, and also got into the recall, but not further. The young singer is also known for her fight against obesity, which she finally took up with the professional help of the ZfbC after some back and forth and repeated self-diets.
A gastric bypass operation was finally the right and appropriate way for her to move into a weight-wise and also psychologically lighter future. It was clear from the beginning that this journey does not end with the surgical intervention, but in fact requires follow-up care in a professional environment throughout life. Sina has fought this battle successfully so far and now feels visibly more comfortable in her own skin. In addition to learning healthy eating habits, as well as exercise and sport, she has now reached a healthy weight.
When Sina Lark was also successful in the music business
And in terms of music, too, the signs are pointing to success. Even though the DSDS recall almost exactly a year ago didn’t lead any further, the likeable musician is now standing there with her head held high. With their first single “Everything I Want To Be” they got off to a great start in the charts. As Sina Lark, the self-confident young woman makes her commercial debut in the music business and can already enjoy a great deal of attention.
Not only did her new song run for the first time as Song of the Day on SRF 3 at the beginning of February 2020, but a live performance on 14.02.2020, between 19:00 and 20:00 on the station will also show how consistently and with what passion Sina is looking for the way to the top and has now perhaps even already found it. Then she will present two songs live on the SRF 3 programme “Punkt CH”. Her new single will also be presented as “Hit of the Day” on 14.02.2020.
If you take both the gastric bypass operation and the musical path together, it becomes clear that Sina Gossweiler has already taken the long road very successfully as Sina Lark. This gives the soon to be 21-year-old woman from the canton of Bern even more strength to continue on her path now more than ever. On the one hand, this path leads downwards when it comes to weight. On the other hand, it is also the ascent into a new life that Sina has paved for herself with her musical talent. The fact that both directions always involve a lot of effort, challenges, stamina and also the odd setback is impressively demonstrated by Sina Gossweiler’s still young story.
In the end, it is up to each individual to decide how to deal with his or her own problems. Getting the best help at the right time also proved to be a real stroke of luck in this particular case.
Every year at the beginning of March, there is a day dedicated to the topic of obesity as World Obesity Day. Certainly, this is not a holiday for those affected, but at least it is the day when there is a good reason to think about obesity in general and the stigmatisation associated with it in particular.
This year the focus is “Male Obesity”. This cannot simply be categorised as “gluttony” or “self-indulgence”. Male obesity has as many causes as it has manifestations. It primarily affects men from middle age onwards, who (like women) are undergoing a particular type of metabolic change.
Particularly as we get older, the body strives to store food reserves as fat reserves for developmental reasons, in order to provide for possible shortages. Especially for men who consume fewer calories than they take in due to their occupation or limited exercise, this quickly leads to unwanted excess weight. Organic processes in particular play an important role here, which cannot be “switched off” so easily.
In a special video, I personally addressed the importance of World Obesity Day. This is also due to the fact that obesity is now more common worldwide than malnutrition. The actual problem is mainly to be observed in the western industrialised countries, since it is precisely here that there is an ever-increasing surplus of food – practically at all times.
The obesity rate in the USA, for example, is around 35-40 percent of the population, which is a fact that should not be underestimated. This means an overweight of at least 20 kilograms, or a BMI of 30 or more. This is also the case despite the surgical intervention options, although these methods in particular can now be classified as very safe and successful. Nevertheless, the rate of surgical interventions needed in this particular area is far too low.
World Obesity Day is not simply about informing the public and professional colleagues accordingly. Rather, I see it as important to educate people about the modern treatment options of bariatric surgery. The primary aim is always to help patients according to their individual starting situation.
Information on the topic of obesity
It is important to understand that obesity is always associated with concomitant diseases. Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol – all these manifest themselves in the environment of obesity. But there is also another aspect that has emerged, especially in recent years. The point is that people who are overweight are simply stigmatised. At school, at work and even in private life, overweight people are described as lazy, fat, greedy, careless and lazy about exercise. This puts additional stress on those affected and does not help to tackle the problem in a targeted and conscious way. Significant overweight has been defined as a disease since 2013 at the latest. This puts morbid obesity in the same category as diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and many other chronic diseases.
The stigmatisation of obesity is extremely dangerous for patients, as they then withdraw and cannot address their actual problem in a targeted and active way. Professional treatment, counselling and support is the surest way out of obesity.
World Obesity Day can help break down prejudices
Everyone is challenged to exercise some restraint in their contact with morbidly obese people, both in their choice of words and in their behaviour. To this end, World Obesity Day can create better awareness. The problem should not only be addressed on this day of the year. But such a day can help to create more sensitivity for the problems of overweight people instead of leaving them to their fate with stigmatisation and devaluation.
Why specifically “men who are overweight”?
Yes, women also suffer from morbid obesity. But men do it in a special way. There are now “curvy models” for women, but not for men. And men by nature already tend to eat the slightly larger portions, even if that seems to be gradually declining. The world view was and still is such that a belly is always subconsciously associated with prosperity. Also in modern industrial societies. The dangers are usually conscious, but are only realised when they are actually there.
In addition, after a certain stage of life at the latest, men do not have this special view of their appearance that many women have. The actual problem is not recognised, or is recognised only very late, and is then gladly accepted as natural. This means that they don’t have to go to the doctor and the obesity surgeon is an unknown quantity for many of those affected. Therefore, men in particular must be sensitised to actively face this problem. World Obesity Day provides an excellent opportunity to do this.
Due to the COVID-19 regulation of the Federal Council, we will have to reduce our regular consultation hours to telephone consultations; in the clinic we will only see urgent patient concerns and emergencies that cannot be postponed. Furthermore, all “electoral interventions” must be postponed. For urgent questions, we are still available and can be reached by phone. T +41 (0)31 312 61 12 – praxis.zehetner@hirslanden.ch
Classification of at-risk patients – coronavirus (COVID-19)
We would like to inform you that patients with bariatric surgery (overweight surgery) are not generally classified as high-risk patients.
We refer here to the directives of the FOPH. Particularly vulnerable people:
With its first magazine, Swiss1Chirurgie addresses all patients and those hungry for information who want to learn more about the topics of morbid obesity or about reflux disease.
We work our way forward in interesting articles on these topics and also provide interesting information about our clinics and the Centre for Bariatric Surgery (ZfbC).
You can find out more about the magazine itself and the contents in detail in the detailed article.
You can pick up a printed copy of the magazine in the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics. Those who can no longer get a copy or prefer to read online can obtain the magazine via the following link: https://v.calameo.com/?bkcode=006115199635078f16024&mode=mini&clickto=embed&autoflip=4
We hope you enjoy reading and look forward to your feedback or meeting you in person at one of our locations in Brig, Bern or Solothurn.
Your Swiss1Chirurgie
Dr. Jörg Zehetner
The first edition of the Swiss1Chirurgie magazine is out. The magazine is now available as a printed copy in our clinics in Brig, Bern and Solothurn. For those who prefer to read the first Swiss1Chirurgie magazine online, it is also available for download via the Swiss1Chirurgie app or on the Swiss1Chirurgie website.
To the contents
We are happy to inform you now, more or less in advance, about the thematic focal points of the magazine in the March 2020 edition.
Morbid obesity, a widespread affliction
A major focus is morbid obesity. From stigmatisation to treatment options, you will learn a lot in the magazine that is worth knowing, new, interesting and particularly informative for those affected. In this way, we do not simply want to disseminate scientific findings, but above all to show the individual path to change. In an easily understandable yet correct form.
To this end, we have approached this still very difficult topic in the magazine with various articles, statements, reports and testimonials. We hope that this will pave a new way for overweight people in particular to get informed and ultimately take the right steps to treat their morbid obesity.
At this point, the reports by and about Sina Gossweiler, also known as Sina Lark in the music scene, should be of particular interest. The young woman is not only known from the show “Deutschland sucht den Superstar” (DSDS), but has also been fighting against morbid obesity for a long time. Obviously with success.
Reflux – When acid regurgitation becomes a torment
Another main topic in the first Swiss1Chirurgie magazine is reflux disease. Persistent, chronic acid regurgitation is not only unpleasant and annoying, it can also have real medical significance. Especially when the oesophagus is attacked by the constant confrontation with stomach acid. Consequential symptoms can extend to oesophageal cancer.
Here we also take the opportunity to present different medical and surgical procedures for the treatment of reflux disease in a little more detail.
Portrait of our locations
The first issue of the Swiss1Chirurgie magazine also gives us the opportunity to present our locations in Brig, Solothurn and Berne in more detail. You will not only learn interesting facts about the clinics themselves, but also about the doctors who are there for you every day.
We will also focus on the Centre for Bariatric Surgery Bern (ZfbC) and show you how the scientific work is being further developed there. A number of different specialist papers and support for bariatric surgery worldwide shows the expertise with which this centre is equipped.
New app makes access to specialist medical services more tangible
We would also be pleased to introduce you to the new Swiss1Chirurgie app. Many people already know them and may also use them to read this article. Anyone who is not yet familiar with the new Swiss1Chirurgie app is expressly invited here to download and use it free of charge.
A wealth of information, a direct line to the medical specialist and support before, during and after treatment are just some of the many benefits that you can enjoy with the Swiss1Chirurgie app.
Take advantage of this opportunity and simply pick up your print copy of the Swiss1Chirurgie magazine in the clinic or download the online version to your device.
Since the beginning of 2020, and probably even before, the COVID-19 virus, which is considered dangerous, has been rampant throughout the world. The pandemic development summarised under the collective term Corona crisis has far-reaching consequences for all life in the world – also in Switzerland. Even if the infection figures and the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 are currently declining, the virus has not gone away. It is still there. And in many countries there is and growing fear that a second high wave of infection can be expected in autumn at the latest.
Evaluate risk groups correctly
In principle, it can be assumed that almost anyone can be infected by the Corona virus. Across age groups, social boundaries and income groups, the virus can affect anyone. Protective measures such as social distancing, wearing mouth and nose masks and maintaining good hand hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of infection, but not eliminate it.
With the statistical collection and evaluation of data on the course of the Corona pandemic and its spread, certain risk groups have been defined whose risk of infection is clearly and measurably above average. Currently known risk groups include
in principle, all persons aged 65 and over
People with high blood pressure
Adults with chronic respiratory diseases
Diabetics of both levels
Men and women with diseases and therapies associated with a weakened immune system
all people with cardiovascular diseases and
Cancer patients.
Many of these diagnoses also apply to severely overweight people who have a BMI of over 40 and are thus classified as severely obese.
Obesity and corona form a dangerous combination
Interesting and at the same time worrying is the combination of obesity and an infection with the COVID-19 virus. After all, chronic obesity is often associated with risk factors such as high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, a weakened immune system, cardiovascular problems and a lifestyle that is accompanied by little exercise in the fresh air.
In this constellation, very overweight people are particularly often found in the risk groups for corona infection. This means that significantly obese adults in particular are at substantially greater risk of infection.
What we recommend to patients with obesity
In the dangerous connection between obesity and the risk of corona infection described above, we recommend that people who are significantly overweight receive accompanying advice and care from a specialist, for example from the obesity surgery doctors in the Swiss1Chirurgie and Centre for Bariatric Surgery (ZfbC) clinics. Here, people are aware of the entire problem of obesity, especially in connection with the COVID19 virus, and can give the decisive tips.
In addition, affected patients are advised to seek treatment at the Swiss1Chirurgie obesity centres before the expected arrival of the second wave of infection. In addition to thorough diagnosis and advice on individual treatment options for morbid obesity, the specialists at Swiss1Chirurgie and ZfbC offer comprehensive advice on preventive options for sufferers with regard to possible COVID-19 disease.
Focus on dietary and lifestyle changes
Given the particular vulnerability of overweight people with a BMI of 40 or more, it is strongly advised that they immediately change their entire diet and lifestyle to a healthier option. What is so easy to put into words here poses great challenges for most of those affected.
Therefore, specialist counselling and care is an option that should definitely be used, not only with regard to the risk from the COVID19 virus. This is because overweight people in particular often have an accumulation of risk factors that favour both infection with the corona virus and a comparatively more problematic course of the disease.
Irrespective of the current corona pandemic, we strongly advise overweight people to seek specialist advice, treatment and care, for example in the Swiss1Chirurgie obesity surgery clinics. Not only does this effectively counteract the risk of a severe course of COVID-19 infection, but it is also a promising first step towards a healthier future overall.
Grade III obesity as a risk factor for a more severe course of COVID-19
is officially on the list as of today: Annex 6 of COVID Regulation 2, adaptation of 14 May 2020, item 7.
Communication from: Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern EDIBundesamt für Gesundheit BAGDirektionsbereich Öffentliche GesundheitSektion Prävention in der Gesundheitsversorgung
