Information event EIWEISS
Protein, carbohydrates, fats. These are the essential components of our diet. At the protein information event, nutritionist Deborah Beyli, BSc BHF, explains the role of protein in our nutrition system and the effect of both an undersupply and an oversupply of protein on the body. Free admission. The information event is only open to a limited number of participants. Therefore, registration is requested.
Date/Location: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Bariatric Surgery Center. Seilerstrasse 8, 3rd floor, Bern
Registration with surname, first name, mobile phone number by e-mail to bc@hin.ch
More information at www.swiss1chirurgie.ch/eventsdetails/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=2
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Swiss1Chirurgie app available
With the completely newly developed Swiss1Chirurgie app, the Centre for Bariatric Surgery headed by Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner convinces patients and interested parties alike. The free app is located in the area of health and family and is provided by F1rst GmbH from the Swiss Valais.
The Swiss1Chirurgie app is primarily designed for patients of the private clinics of Swiss1Chirurgie in Bern, Solothurn and Brig. Of course, all others interested in the topics of overweight surgery, gastric bypass, hernias in the abdominal area or reflux diseases (chronic acid reflux) can also use the app conveniently for their own information needs.
The app, which is now available free of charge in the GooglePlay app store for Android operating systems from version 4.4, and is also available in the Apple store for iOS operating systems.
Advantages for patients and clinics
The Swiss1Chirurgie app offers advantages for patients and Swiss1Chirurgie clinics alike. For patients and those interested in the medical specialties offered, the app opens up simple and direct access to the specialist medical services of Swiss1Chirurgie. Here, the focus is particularly on the informative aspect. Those who are already undergoing treatment in one of the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics benefit from direct access to the specialists with individual information before, during and after the operation. In addition, questions can be asked and answered quickly and easily or appointments can be made at one of the clinics in Bern, Brig or Solothurn.
The new Swiss1Chirurgie app is also a concrete gain for the physicians around Dr Jörg Zehetner. This is particularly evident in the simplified and individualised communication with patients and in the facilitation of making appointments. It is also practical that patients can be provided with concrete individual information on the further course of treatment and supportive measures. This saves time in personal consultations and thus opens up new capacities in the treatment of people suffering from reflux diseases, abdominal hernias or in preparation for obesity surgery.
The offer is supplemented by an informative newsfeed and an event calendar, which informs all interested parties about specialist topics and special events of Swiss1Chirurgie.
Sensitive data securely protected
As is always the case with apps in the health sector that also deal with individual topics, data protection is also professionally brought to the fore in the Swiss1Chirurgie app. This way, every user of the app can be sure that their personal data is securely protected and will only be used for communication with Swiss1Chirurgie.
The Swiss1Chirurgie app is now available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store.
For more information on the Swiss1Chirugie app, please visit::
With the completely newly developed Swiss1Chirurgie app, the Centre for Bariatric Surgery headed by Prof. Dr. Jörg Zehetner convinces patients and interested parties alike. The free app is located in the area of health and family and is provided by F1rst GmbH from the Swiss Valais.
The Swiss1Chirurgie app is primarily designed for patients of the private clinics of Swiss1Chirurgie in Bern, Solothurn and Brig. Of course, all others interested in the topics of overweight surgery, gastric bypass, hernias in the abdominal area or reflux diseases (chronic acid reflux) can also use the app conveniently for their own information needs.
The app, which is now available free of charge in the GooglePlay app store for Android operating systems from version 4.4, and is also available in the Apple store for iOS operating systems.
Advantages for patients and clinics
The Swiss1Chirurgie app offers advantages for patients and Swiss1Chirurgie clinics alike. For patients and those interested in the medical specialties offered, the app opens up simple and direct access to the specialist medical services of Swiss1Chirurgie. Here, the focus is particularly on the informative aspect. Those who are already undergoing treatment in one of the Swiss1Chirurgie clinics benefit from direct access to the specialists with individual information before, during and after the operation. In addition, questions can be asked and answered quickly and easily or appointments can be made at one of the clinics in Bern, Brig or Solothurn.
The new Swiss1Chirurgie app is also a concrete gain for the physicians around Dr Jörg Zehetner. This is particularly evident in the simplified and individualised communication with patients and in the facilitation of making appointments. It is also practical that patients can be provided with concrete individual information on the further course of treatment and supportive measures. This saves time in personal consultations and thus opens up new capacities in the treatment of people suffering from reflux diseases, abdominal hernias or in preparation for obesity surgery.
The offer is supplemented by an informative newsfeed and an event calendar, which informs all interested parties about specialist topics and special events of Swiss1Chirurgie.
Sensitive data securely protected
As is always the case with apps in the health sector that also deal with individual topics, data protection is also professionally brought to the fore in the Swiss1Chirurgie app. This way, every user of the app can be sure that their personal data is securely protected and will only be used for communication with Swiss1Chirurgie.
The Swiss1Chirurgie app is now available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store.
For more information on the Swiss1Chirugie app, please visit::
Ironman Zurich 2019 – A journey to myself
Who doesn’t know them, the impressive pictures of Ironman Hawaii, which is considered the oldest triathlon in the world. Year after year, athletes meet here to determine their toughest and best in the triathlon of swimming, cycling and running.
Certainly a few numbers smaller but no less challenging, Ironman Zurich presents itself as a complete, internationally recognised Ironman Trial with the 3.8-kilometre swim course, the 180-kilometre bike course and the 42-kilometre run course. Anyone who wants to take part here as a hobby Ironman needs a long, good preparation, an iron will and of course the appropriate preparations.
A long journey always begins with the first step
Two years ago now, I discovered a video on YouTube about “Ironman motivation”. This video was the inspiration for me personally and probably the first step to try Ironman Triathlon myself. Of course, it was immediately clear to me that this could not go well from a standing start. But: Anything is possible!
After all, I had already gained a few years of experience on the mountain bike and the road bike, so at least the bike course shouldn’t be an insurmountable challenge. I can also swim and running is almost part of my daily programme. With a slightly above-average level of fitness, it should therefore be no problem to complete the Ironman 70.3 half-distance triathlon. So, after a year of training, in June 2018 I embarked on the Ironman adventure in the slimmed-down version. 1.9 kilometres of swimming, 90 kilometres of cycling and finally 21 kilometres of running brought me to my first intermediate goal on the way to the big Ironman. But the half-distance is not the whole Ironman and so I set a new goal in summer 2018. I wanted to tackle Ironman Zurich 2019.
Training, motivation, renunciation
Regardless of whether you are a professional or a hobby participant, if you want to complete the Ironman in its full internationally recognised distance, you have to expose yourself to regular and hard training. The only question is when and how. The recommendations speak of at least 10 to 15 hours a week, with all three disciplines equally represented if possible. That means at least two hours of training every day. And that alongside family, work, conferences, congresses and emergency missions.
It takes a lot of motivation, which can only be maintained over time if you know what you want and have the necessary support from your family. And, of course, this motivation also means overcoming your inner pig dog every day and removing the small and large obstacles in your self-motivation. Only if this succeeds is good and regular training possible. And of course it takes time.
And it was precisely the time for training that was a point where, in the end, it was not possible without renunciation. I didn’t want to give up life with my family and I didn’t want my patients to have to give up anything when it came to my professional commitment. All that was left was to give up sleep. And surprisingly, this works quite well despite or even because of the active sport.
In the preparation phase for Ironman Zurich 2019, I got up three times a week between half past four and five in the morning, set about cycling training, which I then also liked to repeat on the weekend as a 3-5 hour activity. Swimming for one and a half hours twice a week in the morning and running whenever possible in the evening. And that at any time of year, in any weather and in almost every place I have been in the last twelve months.
A balanced training always includes the appropriate rest days, which I limited to one or two days a week, depending on my workload and family plans. In the end, I felt better and better prepared for the big triathlon in Zurich and felt what good individual training can mean even for such big challenges as the Ironman.
21 July 2019, Zurich – The Big Day
After almost exactly one year of training, the time had come on 21 July 2019. The Ironman Zurich 2019 in the full distance was coming up and now there were no more doubts for me after the registration. I had to and would pass Ironman Zurich. The preparations are ready, wetsuit, bike and food are prepared. Here we go.
I didn’t feel any nervousness at the start itself, I just felt well prepared. After an early start of the day at five o’clock and the impressive start procedure for the professionals, it is then the turn of the amateur athletes. So also me. It all starts with the rolling start at the swim course, so that every few seconds five to ten swimmers start the race. Quickly a few nice words to the comrades-in-arms on the left and right, then we’re off. „See you at the finish line!“
With steady strokes I complete the 3.8 kilometre swim in the fresh Lake Zurich, then get out of the water dripping wet, almost directly onto the bike, which is now to be my friend for 180 kilometres on the ride along Lake Zurich, out of the city, through lush green meadows and small villages. Then it’s off to the running course, which runs four laps through the historic old town, and then it’s done. „You are an Ironman!“
After a total time of 10h31m58s I cross the finish line exhausted but happy and now I know one thing: I am an Ironman. And that’s thanks to good, consistent training, thanks to the support of my family, colleagues and friends and, above all, thanks to the motivation to achieve something that is exceptional. Now it’s time to relax! And, of course, time for the joy of my own performance, which was also always a journey to myself.
1st EMEA GERD Symposium in Hamburg on 11 and 12 July 2019
Johnson&Johnson called for a symposium and the gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) specialists came. Also present was Professor Dr.med. Jörg Zehetner, who enjoys an exceptionally good reputation both in science and in the clinic as a globally recognised expert in minimally invasive surgical reflux methods.
Johnson&Johnson called for a symposium and the gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) specialists came. Also present was Professor Dr.med. Jörg Zehetner, who enjoys an exceptionally good reputation both in science and in the clinic as a globally recognised expert in minimally invasive surgical reflux methods.
The symposium was all about gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, which often causes persistent or recurrent acid regurgitation, severe heartburn or unpleasant burning in the stomach in its chronic course and thus complicates patients’ everyday lives. A proven method for surgical intervention is the LINX Reflux System, which has now been used in the clinic for ten years. This is a small chain consisting mainly of titanium-coated magnets that is placed around the end of the oesophagus in a minimally invasive procedure. With this system, the regurgitation of gastric acid is prevented, while all other physiological functions such as food intake, regurgitation of air or even vomiting remain unhindered by the LINX system.
Dr. Jörg Zehetner is one of the top 5 reflux specialists in Europe and is one of the nine leading experts in the field at Johnson&Johnson. These alone were good reasons to invite Dr Zehetner to speak at the symposium in Hamburg. In front of more than 85 participants, the specialist explained the excellent possibilities of LINX in his lecture and continued these thoughts in the workshop “Complex cases and complication management in reflux surgery”.
For those who do not know what to make of the abbreviation EMEA, please note: EMEA stands for “Europe, Middle East, Africa” and thus summarises the regions in which Johnson&Johnson is particularly involved with its expertise and products such as the LINX Reflux System. Of course, the commitment also extends to the global arena and supports the scientific and practical efforts of the respective medical experts.
For Dr Jörg Zehetner as well as for the other participants at the 1st EMEA GERD Symposium in Hamburg, the occasion was a good reason to gather the best and latest experiences in reflux surgery and thus define further standards for the benefit of patients.
In the attached picture spread, we show the best moments of the intensive work at the EMEA GERD Symposium 2019 in Hamburg.
Dr. Zehetner awarded “Leading Medicine Guide 2019”
When medical services in Switzerland are awarded the “Leading Medicine Guide”, then professional colleagues and patients can be sure that this is a truly high-quality range of services.
The “Leading Medicine Guide 2019” was awarded to swiss1chirurgie under the leadership of Dr Zehetner. With its speciality in obesity surgery, abdominal hernias and reflux diseases, the group practice has dedicated itself to a discipline that is a true heartfelt concern for many Swiss people. Dr. Zehetner’s clinic has long since scored points not only with its specialised range of services, but above all with the professionalism of the specialist medical services with which Dr. Zehetner surprises not only the patients, but also the specialist colleagues.
After a long day of surgery in the clinic, Dr. med. Jörg Zehetner was able to accept the coveted prize on 30.06.2019. Justified pride is mixed with a healthy dose of self-confidence and the certainty that swiss1chirurgie will continue to provide services that are entirely dedicated to the well-being of patients. In addition to his work in the operating theatre, Dr Zehetner also addresses the concerns and needs of his patients in a large number of lectures and individual consultations.
For Dr. Zehetner, the focus is not on personal gain from his professional work, but rather on patient satisfaction. After all, problems with obesity, abdominal hernias and reflux diseases are no longer individual diseases, but have long been medical problem areas of our affluent society, in which obesity, for example, is no longer an isolated phenomenon due to a constantly available supply of food.
Beyond his work as a surgeon, Dr. Zehetner therefore also devotes himself to educating people about healthy nutrition and healthy lifestyles, which might cut off the great demand for surgical interventions, but are more than close to his ethical responsibility as a medical doctor. This means that the “Leading Medicine Guide 2019” award is certainly more than just deserved.
Swiss1Chirurgie with new location in Brig
With the new clinic in Brig, Swiss1Chirurgie, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Jörg Zehetner, has now also found a location in the Upper Valais. With the specialisation in obesity surgery, the treatment of abdominal hernias and reflux diseases, the population in the region is thus provided with a medical service that is probably unique in Valais in this specialisation.
Until now, Professor Dr. Zehetner’s specialist medical services were related to the catchment areas of Bern and, more recently, Solothurn. With the engagement in the medical centre Praxis Dr. Summermatter in Bahnhofstrasse 1 in Brig, the specialised surgeon now also provides his professional services directly in the Valais. This seems to be quite necessary, as the provision of such specialised services was rather meagre to non-existent.
The work in the new medical centre is supported by the specialist colleague Alejandro Metzger, MD, who also specialises in obesity and abdominal surgery. In this way, a professional service can be established in Valais under the banner of Swiss1Chirurgie. It is also interesting to note that a specialist in cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery has set up shop directly in the medical centre. This can be a complementary component in many cases of obesity surgery, ensuring the restoration of the patient’s complete health and aesthetic well-being. It also makes sense that Dr. Summermatter’s clinic also offers special nutritional counselling services. This closes a circle of medical competencies that are evidenced above all by Professor Dr Zehetner and his colleague Dr Metzger.
The fact that the services offered by the specialists for bariatric surgery meet with a high level of acceptance, especially here in the Upper Valais, was already evident at the opening of the clinic with an open day. For a whole eight hours, Professor Dr Zehetner and Dr Metzger answered the questions of the interested visitors and the invited expert colleagues. This proves that there is definitely a great demand here for the specialised services of obesity surgery and the treatment of reflux diseases, which can now be satisfied in the new treatment rooms of Swiss1Chirurgie.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We at the swiss1chirurgie clinic wish our patients, our referring physicians, our staff, our partners and colleagues a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
The year 2018 was a great year for many of us! For some, however, it is also associated with suffering, pain, illness and grief. We think of those whom we could not save despite all our efforts and our thoughts are with their relatives.
We always work with the highest knowledge and conscience. Our surgeons Dr Zehetner and Dr Steffen always strive to achieve the best possible individual result.
For 2019, we wish everyone good health, lots of motivation, good resolutions and also good success in putting them into practice!
Our clinic will be closed from 22.12.2018 to 06.01.2019 inclusive, then we will be motivated again in the swiss1chirurgie clinic to be available for your registrations, enquiries and requests. However, in urgent cases, the surgeons of Bern Visceral Surgery at the Beau-Site Clinic are available for you. For emergencies, please use the Beau-Site clinic, which is open around the clock for emergencies.
What will be new in 2019?
Outpatient surgery in the canton of Bern
This applies to our clinic in the area of #haemmorrhoid surgery or for unilateral #inguinal hernia operations. Here we will inform you about the possible changes during a consultation in our clinic.
Website / Info blogs / Social Media
We will be even more motivated to update our channels to provide the best possible information about our #swiss1chirurgie clinic. We will plan lectures and contributions especially on the topic of #reflux (heartburn, acid reflux) and on the topic of #overweight (drug therapy, surgical therapy). Take a regular look at our pages www.zfbc.ch and www.swiss1chirurgie.ch.
For everyone in Bern and the surrounding area
We will register as a group zfbc (Centre for Bariatric Surgery) at the Bern GP for the Old Town Run (5km). And as a group together with our staff and patients, if anyone is interested in running with us. Here you will find the most important information about the registration and the programme of the #BernGP.
Football/Soccer: YOUNG BOYS BERN VERSUS JUVENTUS TURIN 12.12.2018
YB’s run of success in the 2017/2018 season redeemed Bern from a 30-year curse: they finally did it again, the Young Boys, and the championship title was celebrated extensively in the city of Bern over 3 evenings. Then the team cleared another hurdle: qualifying for the Champions League!!! The draw brought arguably the best possible draw: in a group with Manchester United, Valencia and Juventus Turin. Who would have thought that players like Pogba and Ronaldo would be playing on the artificial turf at the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf Bern Stadium this autumn? Will Ronaldo actually play on 12.12.?
YB’s run of success has also brought together doctors from the Hirslanden Group’s Salem Hospital and Beau-Site Hospital: a group of over 20 doctors – cardiologists, orthopaedists, urologists, internists and surgeons – meet at their own expense on 2 tables in the YB Pub area for a joint YB event. This brings interdisciplinary cooperation, exchange among colleagues, new projects, and above all supports YB and thereby Bern.
Many doctors will also be in the stadium on 12 December: this time, however, not in the VIP area, but distributed among all Bernese to also take a look at Ronaldo and Co. Hup YB!!
The swiss1chirurgie clinic and the Centre for Bariatric Surgery join forces with Hirslanden to support the Young Boys Bern football team.
Oesophagus – Jörg Zehetner from ISDE Worldcongress 2018
Jörg Zehetner from the ISDE Worldcongress 2018 in Vienna, Austria
(International Society of the Diseases of the Esophagus)
What is the oesophagus?
Oesophagus is the medical term for the oesophagus. The oesophagus is a muscular tube that pumps our food from the mouth into the stomach. To prevent the oesophagus from being burned all the time by the gastric juice (stomach acid), there is a valve at the end of the oesophagus: the lower oesophageal muscle.
Disorders in the oesophageal area
If the lower oesophageal muscle (this region is also called the cardia) becomes slack, weak or defective, then it is relatively easy for stomach acid to flow back into the oesophagus and cause symptoms such as heartburn, stomach burn, acid regurgitation or burning in the chest area. This backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus is medically called reflux.
Persistent reflux (chronic reflux) is a risk factor for oesophageal cancer. People often try to get a grip on the problem with acid blockers and diet tips. However, all these methods only alleviate the acute symptoms, not the causes. The mechanical problem – the defective stomach valve – remains. This means that there is still a risk of the disease progressing, which in the final stage can end in oesophageal cancer.
How chronic reflux can be countered
Only an operation, today simply performed as a minimally invasive short procedure, can stop the reflux and thereby reduce the discomfort as well as the risk of cancer to zero.
With such an operation, the mechanical defect in the cardia muscle is repaired so that normal function can be fully restored.
In order to be able to understand the entire pathological course of reflux up to oesophageal cancer, please watch the video that was created in cooperation with Hirslanden, the basis for this video was my idea and my concept.
Hernia surgery at Bern Visceral Surgery Steffen AG
Treat unpleasant tissue breakdowns professionally
The medical term for a hernia is colloquially known as a hernia. This does not mean broken bones, but rather weaknesses in an organic structure that lead to a bulge in the further course. In many cases, organs are pushed or shifted from their original physical position to other areas, which can also be visually recognisable.
Known hernias are, for example, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, inguinal hernia or hiatal hernia.
In addition to the unpleasant physical sensations and sometimes also cosmetic impairments, a hernia can also lead to disturbances in the respective organ function and even to dramatic courses of disease. Therefore, even smaller or inconspicuous hernias should initially be treated by a specialist.
Complicated hernias require interdisciplinary intervention
Complex hernias are not only associated with the familiar visual appearances, but also with severe pain and, in extreme cases, disruption of the respective organ function. Surgical intervention is urgently required here, but this should rarely be based on the hernia alone, but also on the environmental conditions in the physical surroundings. Finally, it is a question of treating the hernia itself on the one hand, but on the other hand also of recognising the conditions of its development and, if possible, ruling them out for the future.
Our patients in the swiss1chirurgie clinic (Berner Viszeralchirurgie Steffen AG) benefit from the interdisciplinary interaction of medical experts. In our clinic we have all the possibilities to discuss and treat complicated hernias in a multidisciplinary team. In this way, radiologists, physiotherapists, internists and of course the operating surgeons can achieve the best conditions for a successful course of treatment in interdisciplinary work.
Modern surgical planning and surgical experience
Surgical planning using computer tomography (CT) and derived 3D animation is extremely helpful for a promising treatment approach. This gives us clear impressions in the team of how the hernia has formed, what its dimensions are and which surgical method is most promising.
Subsequently, the patients are treated precisely according to the clinical picture. Superfluous interventions are avoided and interventions are always carried out to the extent that exactly fits the picture of the hernia obtained.
Smaller hernias, i.e. tissue openings of up to 2 centimetres, are usually closed directly. Anything above this requires laparoscopic surgery, which also involves the use of nets. These nets securely close the affected hernia and prevent the recurrence of a hernia at the same site to within one percent. Without the use of nets, the risk of recurrence of the fracture was about ten percent with the corresponding need for repeat surgical interventions.
Incidentally, nets are also used almost without exception in high-risk patients, such as overweight people, in order to largely reduce the risk of a new fracture in the same part of the body.
Overall, we thus ensure an extremely professional treatment of hernias, which is associated with the lowest possible risk and the highest degree of quality of life to be gained, especially for our patients.
The surgery team of the swiss1chirurgie clinic (Berner Viszeralchirurgie Steffen AG9 with Dr. Jörg Zehetner and Dr. Rudolf Steffen stands for professional surgery that is first and foremost committed to people.