Conference Program

Nicolas Christou, MD, PhD, FRCSC
Professor of Surgery, McGill University
Montreal, QC

Nicolas Christou obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University in 1971 and his Doctor of Medicine in 1975. He completed his surgical training at McGill in 1980 and was appointed Assistant Professor of Surgery at McGill University and Attending Staff Surgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1981. He became a Professor of Surgery in 1991. He was head of the Division of General Surgery from 1991 to 2005. He is a member of many prestigious societies including the American Surgical Association, The Canadian Association of General Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Christou started the first laparoscopic weight loss surgery program in Canada on February 8, 2002. He is currently a "full-time" practicing laparoscopic bariatric surgeon. He is the Past President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons and the Past Chair of the Program Committee of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Dr. Christou holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from McGill University in Surgical Immunology. His research interests in the first 20 years of his academic career focused on surgical infections and the host response to infections. His current research interests are: Outcomes Research - Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Mortality, Morbidity and Health Care Costs. The North American coordinating site for the clinical study of a new telemetric adjustable gastric banding device. Basic Science Research -The impact of the leptin/adiponectin adipokinostat on the inflammatory response of severe obese subjects and Clinical Studies - He has published over 230 peer reviewed publications, more than 40 book chapters and over 350 abstracts.

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André Carpentier, MD, FRCPC, CSPQ, FCAHS
Endocrinologist and Professor
GSK Chair in Diabetes of Université de Sherbrooke
Department of Medicine
Université de Sherbrooke
Centre de recherche du CHUS

Dr. Carpentier is recipient of GSK Research Chair in Diabetes of Université de Sherbrooke. He is professor, endocrinologist-lipidologist and clinician scientist at the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke. He is director of the university's Centre de recherche sur le diabète, l'obésité et les complications cardiovasculaires and the director of the Research Network on Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes and Obesity (CMDO) of the province of Quebec.

His research interests include: 1) role of postprandial fatty acid metabolism in development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; 2) investigation of brown adipose tissue metabolism in diabetes; and 3) anti-diabetic mechanisms of bariatric surgery.

He has been a member of numerous scientific panels for granting agencies (CDA, CIHR, FRSQ, HSFC) and published more than 107 peer-reviewed manuscripts (H-factor = 37, 5-yr citation rate > 4400). He is recipient of multiple awards and has been elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Presentation Overview
Bariatric surgery leads to rapid and profound metabolic improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes. Suggested mechanisms for this dramatic benefit includes modification of alimentary bolus processing leading to change in substrate absorption kinetics, lipid malabsorption and changes in gastrointestinal hormones secretion. Metabolic benefits are more important and sustained with surgical procedures leading to greater weight loss through restriction of food intake and intestinal mal-absorption, supporting the role of energy restriction as the main mechanism of metabolic benefit in these patients. Experimental evidence suggest that the early profound improvement in beta cell function is mainly due to food restriction, with possible additional effect of intestinal fat mal-absorption adding to the global energy restriction.  

Learning Objectives

1. To describe experimental evidence for the primary role of energy restriction in the rapid metabolic improvement after bariatric surgery.

David R. Urbach, MD, MSc
University Health Network

David Urbach is Covidien Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Professor of Surgery and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at The University of Toronto. His clinical practice is devoted to gastrointestinal and endocrine surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery, with a focus on: foregut surgery, laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery, adrenal surgery, and obesity surgery. He is a Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), and Head of the Research Division of Support, Systems and Outcomes at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. His research program focuses on surgery-related health services research, including measurement of the quality and outcomes of surgical care, and methods for the evaluation of surgery and other health technologies.

Presentation Overview
This debate will contrast medical and surgical approaches to the patient who has gained weight after bariatric surgery

Learning Objectives

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

1. Outline an approach to the patient who has re-gained weight after bariatric surgery
2. Discuss the reasons for weight re-gain following bariatric surgery
3. Describe surgical approaches for treatment of weight recidivism  

Stephen A. Glazer, MD, FRCP(C ), FCCP
Internal Medicine
Critical Care Medicine
Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine

Medical Director, Bariatric Surgical Program
Humber River Regional Hospital
American College of Surgeons Level 1 Accredited Bariatric Center of Excellence

Medical Director, Greater Toronto Area Medical Bariatric Program
Humber River Regional Hospital/University Health Network

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Queen's University

Lecturer, Department of Internal Medicine
University of Toronto

Dr. Stephen Glazer is a board certified specialist from the University of Toronto in Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

In April 2010 he was appointed as the Medical Director for the Bariatric Surgical Program at Humber River Regional Hospital. He was instrumental in redeveloping their comprehensive bariatric surgical program. In that year, the bariatric surgical program was nominated as a Leading Practice by Accreditation Canada.

In 2012 Dr. Glazer was appointed as a the Director of the only hospital-based Medical Bariatric Program for the Greater Toronto Area, which has enjoyed great growth and development due to the significant contributions of its multidiscipline team members.

Dr. Glazer's commitment to the Obesity Epidemic is further displayed by his participation in many committees through the Ontario Bariatric Network and the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. He has a strong interest in program development, quality care initiatives, and physician education.

He has personally been involved in direct patient care of over thousands of bariatric patients in the attempt to facilitate weight loss for improved overall health. His research interests include perioperative risk assessment and management as well as sleep apnea in the morbidly obese.

James Ellsmere, MD, MS, FRCSC, FACS
Skills Centre, Medical Director
Dalhousie University

James Ellsmere is the Director of the Nova Scotia Health Authority Bariatric Surgery program. His clinical practice is devoted to gastrointestinal surgery, bariatric surgery and therapeutic endoscopy. He is the medical director of the Skills Centre for Health Sciences and the program director of the Advanced Gastrointestinal Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Dalhousie University. His research program is focused on developing and evaluating novel techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the effect sleeve gastrectomy has on obesity and related diseases
• Describe the short and long terms risks of sleeve gastrectomy
• Understand why sleeve gastrectomy has become the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in North America

John Hagen, MD, FRCS(C)
Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto
Minimally Invasive Surgery Group
Chief of Surgery, Humber River Hospital
Surgical Director Bariatric Surgery

Learning Objectives

• To understand which operation for obesity works best, one must understand why obesity operations work.
• To understand the metabolic changes that occur after bariatric surgery
• The history of bariatric surgery

Robert Dent, MD, FRCPC

Robert Dent is a specialist in Internal Medicine with an academic appointment in Endocrinology at the University of Ottawa. 

In 1992 he established the Weight Management Clinic at the Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa.  This is a multidisciplinary clinic designed with these objectives:  patient care, teaching health care professionals and research in the genotype phenotype associations of obesity. This clinic design has been adopted in several Canadian University Centres.

With respect to research he has 50 publications in peer reviewed journals in the last 7 years.  These publications deal with the design and outcomes of the clinic; Psychotropics and Weight gain, and on the genetics of obesity.  Since 2011 He along with Drs. Ruth McPherson and Mary Ellen Harper have held two CIHR grants dealing with Metabolic and Genetic determinants of Obesity and Obesity-related Phenotypes.  His awards have included:  Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for the work in Obesity treatment, The Ottawa Hospital Compass award in 2015, and University of Ottawa Dept of Medicine research Award 2016.  

His primary interests include: Obesity treatment, psychosocial aspects of obesity, patient advocacy, and the genotype-phenotype associations of obesity.

André Carpentier, MD, FRCPC, CSPQ, FCAHS
Endocrinologist and Professor
GSK Chair in Diabetes of Université de Sherbrooke
Department of Medicine
Université de Sherbrooke
Centre de recherche du CHUS

Dr. Carpentier is recipient of GSK Research Chair in Diabetes of Université de Sherbrooke. He is professor, endocrinologist-lipidologist and clinician scientist at the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke. He is director of the university's Centre de recherche sur le diabète, l'obésité et les complications cardiovasculaires and the director of the Research Network on Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes and Obesity (CMDO) of the province of Quebec.

His research interests include: 1) role of postprandial fatty acid metabolism in development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; 2) investigation of brown adipose tissue metabolism in diabetes; and 3) anti-diabetic mechanisms of bariatric surgery.

He has been a member of numerous scientific panels for granting agencies (CDA, CIHR, FRSQ, HSFC) and published more than 107 peer-reviewed manuscripts (H-factor = 37, 5-yr citation rate > 4400). He is recipient of multiple awards and has been elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

Presentation Overview
Bariatric surgery leads to rapid and profound metabolic improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes. Suggested mechanisms for this dramatic benefit includes modification of alimentary bolus processing leading to change in substrate absorption kinetics, lipid malabsorption and changes in gastrointestinal hormones secretion. Metabolic benefits are more important and sustained with surgical procedures leading to greater weight loss through restriction of food intake and intestinal mal-absorption, supporting the role of energy restriction as the main mechanism of metabolic benefit in these patients. Experimental evidence suggests that the early profound improvement in beta cell function is mainly due to food restriction, with the possible additional effect of intestinal fat mal-absorption adding to the global energy restriction.  

Learning Objectives

1. To describe experimental evidence for the primary role of energy restriction in the rapid metabolic improvement after bariatric surgery.

Sean Wharton, MD, PharmD, FRCP(C)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Adjunct Professor York University, School of Kinesiology and Health Science
Lead Author - Obesity Section - Canadian Diabetes Guidelines
Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine
Toronto East General Hospital, Internal Medicine Staff
Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Internal Medicine Staff

Dr. Sean Wharton has his doctorate in Pharmacy and Medicine. He is the Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a community based internal medicine weight management clinic.  He is an Adjunct Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton and York University in Toronto.  He also works as an internist at Toronto East General Hospital, and the Hamilton Health Sciences.  Dr. Wharton is a researcher, and is qualified as a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. There are only a handful of physicians with this qualification in Canada.

Dr. Wharton's research focuses on bariatric medicine and type 2 diabetes.  He is the lead author of the weight management section of the 2013 and 2018 Canadian Diabetes Guidelines.

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Sandy Van, MD
Senior Resident Physician, Department of Family and Community Medicine
The University of Toronto

Dr. Sandy Van is a Senior Resident Physician in Family Medicine at The University of Toronto, based out of Michael Garron Hospital. She has focused much of her clinical training at a multitude of bariatric centres throughout Ontario with the intent to pursue bariatric medicine and psychotherapy in the context of obesity and mental health. Notably, she has initiated a pilot program at both Beamsville Medical Centre and South East Toronto Family Health Team using cognitive behavioral strategies in conjunction with dietary education for weight management. 

Dr. Sandy Van currently serves as Co-Director of Membership at the Canadian Obesity Network Toronto Chapter, an organization with an initiative to improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity through the advancement of anti-discrimination, prevention, and treatment efforts.

Presentation Overview
Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment modality for excess weight and remission of weight related co-morbidities. However, less than 0.5% of the eligible population in Canada undergo publicly funded bariatric surgery. Literature suggests that an underlying factor for this discrepancy in the number of patients requiring treatment, and those who receive treatment, is that both patients and physicians may not be interested and/or lack the education about bariatric surgery to make an informed decision. 

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify appropriate patient candidates for referral to bariatric surgery
2. Understand the role of bariatric surgery in the context of weight management and remission of disease in comparison to lifestyle and pharmacologic measures
3. Address both patient and physician barriers to accepting bariatric surgery as a treatment modality
4. Review counseling pearls on education about bariatric surgery to patients in the office

Sean Wharton, MD, PharmD, FRCP(C)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Adjunct Professor York University, School of Kinesiology and Health Science
Lead Author - Obesity Section - Canadian Diabetes Guidelines
Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine
Toronto East General Hospital, Internal Medicine Staff
Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, Internal Medicine Staff

Dr. Sean Wharton has his doctorate in Pharmacy and Medicine. He is the Medical Director of the Wharton Medical Clinic, a community based internal medicine weight management clinic.  He is an Adjunct Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton and York University in Toronto.  He also works as an internist at Toronto East General Hospital, and the Hamilton Health Sciences.  Dr. Wharton is a researcher, and is qualified as a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. There are only a handful of physicians with this qualification in Canada.

Dr. Wharton's research focuses on bariatric medicine and type 2 diabetes.  He is the lead author of the weight management section of the 2013 and 2018 Canadian Diabetes Guidelines.

Sandy Van, MD
Senior Resident Physician, Department of Family and Community Medicine
The University of Toronto

Dr. Sandy Van is a Senior Resident Physician in Family Medicine at The University of Toronto, based out of Michael Garron Hospital. She has focused much of her clinical training at a multitude of bariatric centres throughout Ontario with the intent to pursue bariatric medicine and psychotherapy in the context of obesity and mental health. Notably, she has initiated a pilot program at both Beamsville Medical Centre and South East Toronto Family Health Team using cognitive behavioral strategies in conjunction with dietary education for weight management. 

Dr. Sandy Van currently serves as Co-Director of Membership at the Canadian Obesity Network Toronto Chapter, an organization with an initiative to improve the lives of Canadians affected by obesity through the advancement of anti-discrimination, prevention, and treatment efforts.

Presentation Overview
Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment modality for excess weight and remission of weight related co-morbidities. However, less than 0.5% of the eligible population in Canada undergo publicly funded bariatric surgery. Literature suggests that an underlying factor for this discrepancy in the number of patients requiring treatment, and those who receive treatment, is that both patients and physicians may not be interested and/or lack the education about bariatric surgery to make an informed decision. 

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

1. Identify appropriate patient candidates for referral to bariatric surgery
2. Understand the role of bariatric surgery in the context of weight management and remission of disease in comparison to lifestyle and pharmacologic measures
3. Address both patient and physician barriers to accepting bariatric surgery as a treatment modality
4. Review counseling pearls on education about bariatric surgery to patients in the office

Angie Hong, MD, CCFP, FCFP, dip ABOM
North York General Hospital

Dr. Angie Hong is a fellow of the Canadian College of Family Physicians as well as diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto. She is a faculty member of at CBT Canada where she is involved in teaching physicians how to implement Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques with weight management.

Dr. Hong's bariatric practice includes the medical management of patients with obesity as well as the implementation of behavioural strategies for sustained weight change.

Presentation Overview
The presentation will address the role of the family physician after bariatric surgery, including the medical and psychological aspects of post-operative car. It will discuss long-term strategies for sustain weight loss and preventing weight regain beyond the post-operative period.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should have an understanding of the common medical and psychological concerns of patients after bariatric surgery. Participants should also have an understanding on some strategies to help patients maintain weight loss.

Sanjeev Sockalingam, MD, MHPE, FRCPC
Director, TWH Bariatric Surgery Psychosocial Program
Deputy Psychiatrist-in-Chief, UHN
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and Deputy Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the University Health Network for the Toronto General and Princess Margaret Hospital sites. He is the Director of the Bariatric Surgery Psychosocial Program at the University Health Network.

Dr. Sockalingam is the Director of Continuing Practice and Professional Development for The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. He is also the Director of Curriculum Renewal for the Medical Psychiatry Alliance, a $60 million dollar initiative aimed at improving healthcare for patients with concurrent physical and mental health conditions.

Dr. Sockalingam has authored >90 peer-reviewed publications. His clinical and research interests include psychiatric aspects of bariatric surgery, quality improvement in mental health, and research in medical education.

Presentation Overview
Up to 70% of bariatric surgery candidates have a history of psychiatric illness, which can complicate pre- and post-bariatric surgery outcomes. This presentation will provide an update on common psychiatric complications and the role of integrated approaches to bariatric aftercare. New evidence on psychiatric predictors of weight loss and quality of life outcomes after bariatric surgery will be discussed including strategies to increase patient engagement during the peri-operative process. Lastly, psychosocial protocols and validated psychosocial assessment tools will be shared with attendees. 

Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe common psychiatric complications post-surgery and integrated approaches to bariatric surgery aftercare
2. Summarize the evidence on psychiatric predictors of post-bariatric surgery weight loss and quality of life
3. Use evidence informed protocols and assessment tools to support patients’ weight loss after bariatric surgery

David C. W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC
President, Obesity Canada, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Diabetes, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cardiac Sciences, Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre Chair, Diabetes and Endocrine Research Group

Dr. David Lau is Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, President of Obesity Canada, and Vice-President, Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Lau is a practising endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders. His research interests include fat cell biology in health and obesity, development of insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes, and cellular mechanisms of diabetic vascular complications. He is also involved in population health and clinical research programmes in diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders. Dr. Lau has published over 100 scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals, periodicals and books.

Dr. Lau was Chair of the evidence-based Obesity Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Steering Committee and Expert Panel, and lead author of the 2007 CPG publication in the Can. Med. Assoc. Journal. Dr. Lau was a member of the 1998, 2003 and 2008 Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Panel, as well as the expert panel of the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult. Dr. Lau is a member of the expert panel committee on the 2013 CDA CPG as well as the 2012 Canadian dyslipidemia CPD update.

In 2004, Dr. Lau was honored as one of the top 20 notable Calgarians, and top 50 Albertans for his exemplary contributions to improve the health of Albertans.

David C. W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC
President, Obesity Canada, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Diabetes, Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cardiac Sciences, Julia McFarlane Diabetes Research Centre Chair, Diabetes and Endocrine Research Group

Dr. David Lau is Professor of Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Cardiac Sciences at the University of Calgary. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, President of Obesity Canada, and Vice-President, Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Lau is a practising endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders. His research interests include fat cell biology in health and obesity, development of insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes, and cellular mechanisms of diabetic vascular complications. He is also involved in population health and clinical research programmes in diabetes, obesity and lipid disorders. Dr. Lau has published over 100 scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals, periodicals and books.

Dr. Lau was Chair of the evidence-based Obesity Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Steering Committee and Expert Panel, and lead author of the 2007 CPG publication in the Can. Med. Assoc. Journal. Dr. Lau was a member of the 1998, 2003 and 2008 Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Panel, as well as the expert panel of the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the adult. Dr. Lau is a member of the expert panel committee on the 2013 CDA CPG as well as the 2012 Canadian dyslipidemia CPD update.

In 2004, Dr. Lau was honored as one of the top 20 notable Calgarians, and top 50 Albertans for his exemplary contributions to improve the health of Albertans.

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Laurent Biertho, MD
Chirurgie Laparoscopique et Bariatrique
Professeur de Clinique, Département de Chirurgie, Université Laval
Co-directeur, Chaire de recherche en chirurgie bariatrique et métabolique
Directeur de programme, Fellowship en chirurgie bariatrique et métabolique
Institut Universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval

Dr. Biertho completed his "candidat" in Biomedical Sciences and Medical training at the University of Liege in Belgium. At the end of his surgical residency in Belgium, he completed a one year Research Fellowship at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He then trained in Minimally Invasive Surgery at McMaster University. At the end of his fellowship in 2005, he was appointed Assistant Professor at McMaster University. He was then offered a position as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Laval University in 2006, to develop Minimally Invasive Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Quebec, in particular to perform a certain type of bariatric surgery (Duodenal Switch). Currently, the vast majority of the 450 bariatric surgeries performed each year at the IUCPQ use minimally invasive approaches. In addition to developing these clinical activities Dr Biertho contributes to the dissemination and publication of knowledge related to bariatric surgery mostly through clinical studies.

Mehran Anvari, MB BS, PhD, FRCSC, FACS 
Chair, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation
Professor, Department of Surgery, McMaster University

Dr. Mehran Anvari is a tenured professor of surgery at McMaster University, specializing in minimal access techniques, at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. Dr. Anvari was one of the first surgeons in Canada to use robotics in surgery, establishing the world's first telerobotic surgical service.

Dr. Anvari holds several clinical and administrative appointments. He is the past president and founding member of the Minimally Invasive Robotic Association, the scientific director and CEO of the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation, and the founding director of the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. Dr. Anvari is the clinical lead and chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network and the Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster.

As a researcher, supervisor, mentor and advisor, Dr. Anvari has a continued commitment to teaching, education, publication and innovation. Dr. Anvari is the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery, and the founding director of the McMaster Institute for Surgical Invention, Innovation and Education. He has authored over 150 publications; holds seven patents; and is the principle investigator of numerous studies related to obesity, gastrointestinal disease, and surgical robotic systems and techniques. He has been honored many times for his innovation and research: chosen as the McMaster Innovator of the Year in 2009, and awarded the ORION Leadership Award in 2010. Dr. Anvari's work with telerobotics has also been recognized by the federal and provincial government with the "Gold Medal of Distinction" and the "Diamond Award for Innovation in Technology".

Keyur Patel, MD, FRACP 
Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Toronto Health Network

Dr. Patel received his Bachelor of Medicine degree from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom and completed his clinical fellowship in Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Perth, Western Australia. He completed a 3-year post-doctoral research fellowship in Clinical and Translational Research in viral hepatitis at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, San Diego, CA and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham NC. He was on faculty at Duke University 2004-2015, and an Associate Professor of Medicine with Tenure before moving to UHN Toronto in October 2015. His research Interests include clinical and translational research relating to host metabolic risk factors and mechanisms of fibrosis in viral hepatitis, along with the development of non-invasive markers of fibrosis, and the incorporation of functional genomic tools in the development of biomarkers of disease progression.

Presentation Overview
We will evaluate current data and pathogenesis of early and late metabolic, inflammatory, and histologic changes in advanced stage NASH following bariatric surgery.

Learning Objectives
Understand the role of bariatric surgery in determining NASH clinical and histologic outcomes

Amy Neville, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Medical Director, The Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence
General and Bariatric Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital
Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Ottawa

Amy Neville MDCM, MSc (Epi), FRCSC completed her residency training in general surgery as well as fellowships in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery at McGill University in Montreal. Dr Neville currently practices general, minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus in Ottawa, ON. She is surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at the Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa. Dr Neville is Medical Director of the Ottawa Hospital Regional Bariatric Centre of Excellence and a board member of the provincial Ontario Bariatric Network.

Presentation Overview
As the medical complexity of bariatric surgery patients increases, the number of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing surgery is also rising. There is also an increasing number of patients with end stage renal disease seeking weight loss surgery in order to meet eligibility criteria for transplantation. This talk will discuss the surgical risk and outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with chronic renal disease.

Learning objectives

1. To understand surgical risks and complications in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing bariatric surgery
2. To highlight post-operative outcomes with respect to renal function and comorbidities in patients with renal disease who have weight loss surgery
3. To discuss the role of weight loss surgery in preparing patients for potential kidney transplant

Laurent Biertho, MD
Chirurgie Laparoscopique et Bariatrique
Professeur de Clinique, Département de Chirurgie, Université Laval
Co-directeur, Chaire de recherche en chirurgie bariatrique et métabolique
Directeur de programme, Fellowship en chirurgie bariatrique et métabolique
Institut Universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval

Dr. Biertho completed his "candidat" in Biomedical Sciences and Medical training at the University of Liege in Belgium. At the end of his surgical residency in Belgium, he completed a one year Research Fellowship at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He then trained in Minimally Invasive Surgery at McMaster University. At the end of his fellowship in 2005, he was appointed Assistant Professor at McMaster University. He was then offered a position as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Laval University in 2006, to develop Minimally Invasive Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Quebec, in particular to perform a certain type of bariatric surgery (Duodenal Switch). Currently, the vast majority of the 450 bariatric surgeries performed each year at the IUCPQ use minimally invasive approaches. In addition to developing these clinical activities Dr Biertho contributes to the dissemination and publication of knowledge related to bariatric surgery mostly through clinical studies.