Conference Program

Laurent Biertho, MD
Université Laval, 
Département de Chirurgie
Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec

Dr. Laurent Biertho is Clinical Professor of Surgery at Laval University. After being trained in Biomedical Sciences (1993) and Medicine (1998) at the University of Liege, Belgium, he completed his residency in General Surgery (2004). He underwent post-doctoral training in Minimally Invasive surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, USA, and McMaster University, Canada (2004-2006). At the end of his training, he was appointed Assistant Professor at McMaster University. He was then offered a position as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Laval University, to introduce minimally invasive bariatric and metabolic surgery at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec. He is the director of the fellowship program in Bariatric and Metabolic surgery at Laval University and co-director of the Research Chair in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. He is also the president of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. His research interests focus on 1) the long-term metabolic outcomes of bariatric surgeries 2) tailoring surgical approaches to the patients’ needs 3) the study and development of new bariatric procedures.  He is the current President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS).

---

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.

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.

---

Dr. Scott Gmora MD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, McMaster University
Director, Clinical Teaching Unit, St. Joseph's Healthcare

Dr. Scott Gmora is an Associate Professor of Surgery at McMaster University specializing in minimally invasive gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery. He completed his medical training at Queen's University receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 2002. He underwent residency training in general surgery at the University of Calgary and obtained specialty qualifications from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Surgery in 2007. Dr. Gmora subsequently pursued 2 years of fellowship training in Critical Care and Trauma Surgery at the University of Miami's Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, Florida. In 2009, he completed an additional year of fellowship training in minimally invasive GI and bariatric surgery under Dr. Julio Teixeira at Columbia University's St. Luke-Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

Dr. Gmora serves as the Ontario Bariatric Network's provincial lead for the Primary Care Physician Education Task Force. He is also the Clinical Teaching Unit (CTU) Director for surgical residents at St. Joseph's Healthcare. 

Dr. Gmora is an active member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons (ASMBS), the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS) and other professional societies.

Jennifer Brown, MSc., RD 
Registered Dietitian | Dietetiste Professionnelle
Weight Management Clinic & Bariatric Centre of Excellence
The Ottawa Hospital | L’Hôpital d’Ottawa

Jennifer Brown is a registered dietitian with the Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence and is the provincial lead for eConsult Ontario in bariatric nutrition.  She is a steering committee member on the 2018 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Adults with Obesity, an expert member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) systematic review work-group on Bariatric Surgery, co-chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network Nutrition Working Group and an executive member of the bariatric surgery subgroup of the Dietitians of Canada – DOC network.  She received a BSc. from St. Francis Xavier University in Human Nutrition and a MSc. from the University of Ottawa in Human Kinetics exploring appetite-related measures and peripheral hormone changes in weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. She has a passion for bariatric care and obesity research providing peer reviews and consultations for Canadian and international journals, agencies and organizations; and hopes to standardize bariatric nutrition care, research and training among the obesity field.

Presentation Overview:

This presentation will provide an overview of the physiological mechanisms underlying weight regain after bariatric surgery. Emphasis will be focused on how peripheral hormones affect appetite and body weight regulation via the neurohormonal network. 

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to: 

1. Identify which peripheral hormones affect appetite control in the brain. 
2. Understand how these appetite-related hormones are affected after Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery. 
3. Have a better understanding of the current evidence in weight regain. 

Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Women's College Hospital
Senior Scientist, Women's College Research Institute
Director, Division of Equity, Gender and Population, University of Toronto
Director, Bariatric Surgery Psychiatry Program
Mental Health Chair, Canadian Obesity Network

Dr. Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD is an Associate professor at the University of Toronto and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Women’s College Hospital. She is also a senior scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and director of the division of Equity, Gender and Population for the University of Toronto. Nationally, she is director of the bariatric surgery psychiatry program and is the Mental Health Chair for the Canadian Obesity Network. 

Her academic focus is on obesity, metabolic syndrome and mental health in both adults and children. She is interested in the developmental origins and common pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes and depression, the concept of food addiction and the impact of pharmacotherapy on weight and behaviour. She also has an interest in women’s mental health and has written and researched on the overlap between mental illness in women and medical outcomes.  She has funding from NARSAD, CIHR and the federal and provincial governments. She has over 60 peer reviewed publications and has written a CBT manual on weight management. In the past 2 years she has led or been part of 6 funded CIHR grants, an NIH grant and 2 grants from the Ministry of Health.

She recently received a KT fellowship from the Canadian Mental Health Association, an educational fellowship from the International Society on Obesity and a research award from the Canadian Obesity Network. She currently writes a mental health column for the Toronto Star and is director of the Women’s Mental Health Educational Institute she created at the University of Toronto.

Judy Shiau, MD, FRCPC, DipABOM
Assistant Professor University of Ottawa
Bariatric Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Medical Director and Lead Physician
LEAF Weight Management Clinic

Dr. Shiau’s goal is to provide comprehensive care for patients who are trying to be at a healthy weight. As a general internist, her specialty initially focused on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension. She soon realized that many of these health issues were linked with weight management and this was the stimulus for her to develop the EMERALD (Evaluation of the MEtabolic syndrome for the Reduction of Atherosclerosis, Lipids, and Diabetes) weight management program at the Ottawa Cardiovascular Centre, treating over 1,000 patients from 2002 to 2012. In 2012, she joined The Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Clinic (TOH-WMC) to help support the Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) funded medical and surgical weight management programs. However, recognizing the need for a community-based clinic to support patients, Dr. Shiau founded the LEAF Weight Management Clinic (www.leafwmc.com). LEAF stands for Live.Eat.Activity.Forever.

Dr. Shiau graduated medical school from McGill University, completed general internal medicine residency training at McMaster University, and her fellowship year at the University of Toronto. She is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board in Obesity Medicine. As an Assistant Professor and Bariatric Medicine Fellowship program director at University of Ottawa, she trains future generation physicians how to better help their patients who have weight issues.

Learning Objectives:

To explore different lifestyle interventions for prevention and management of weight regain. 

Joseph Shaban, MD, FRCPC, FACE, DABOM
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Western University
Medical Director, Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre of Windsor
OMA Section Chair - Endocrinology and Metabolism

Dr. Shaban is a native of Windsor, and has practiced endocrinology and metabolism in Windsor since 1986. He received his undergraduate and postgraduate training at the University of Western Ontario. 

Canadian and American Board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology and Metabolism, he is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He is currently the Ontario Medical Association Chair of the section of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 

He is the Medical Director of the Regional Bariatric Assessment and Treatment Centre in Windsor, and is a board member of the Ontario Bariatric Network, and chairs the Perioperative Task Force for the OBN.

He is an adjunct professor of Medicine at the Western University, and has been involved as a primary investigator in numerous national and international medical studies. 

Stacy A. Brethauer, MD
President, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
Lerner College of Medicine
Program Director, Bariatric Surgery Fellowship
Director of Bariatric Surgery, Fairview Hospital
Medical Director, Supply Chain Management
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 

Dr. Stacy Brethauer is a bariatric surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine  He completed his general surgery residency  at the Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2001and completed his fellowship  in Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and joined the staff there in 2007.

He  is currently president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  He also chairs the Quality Committee of the American College of Surgeon’s Committee on Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers, 35 book chapters and has edited two textbooks on minimally invasive bariatric surgery. 

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

bio coming soon.

Mervyn Deitel, MD, FASMBS, FACN, CRCSC, FICS
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus & Founding Editor: OBESITY SURGERY,
Chief, Advisory Board, International Bariatric Club,
ASMBS (ASBS) Founding Member, Past President (1994-5)
& Foundation Award recipient,
IFSO Founding and Honorary Life Member & 1st Executive Director,
Director MGB/OAGB Club
Recipient of E. Mason Presidents Award, ASMBS 2015

Dr. Mervyn Deitel graduated in Medicine from the University of Toronto in 1961. He trained in surgery at Beth Israel, Bellevue and NY University Hospitals in New York, Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo and trauma at Parkland Memorial in Dallas. He pioneered intravenous hyper-alimentation (total parenteral nutrition) at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto in 1967 and began bariatric surgery in 1971, becoming a Professor of Nutritional Sciences and Surgery at University of Toronto, performing 2,850 jejuno-ileal bypasses, gastroplasties, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses. Starting in the 1970s, he edited five textbooks on surgical nutrition and on bariatric surgery.

He is a Founding Member of the ASBS (now ASMBS) in 1983, and served as President of the ASBS in 1994-1995. He was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award of the ASBS Foundation in 2002. Dr. Deitel is the Founding Editor of the journal, Obesity Surgery, in 1991, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal from 1991 to 2008, and remains Emeritus Editor-in Chief. He is a Founding Member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) in 1996, served as its first Executive Director, and was awarded the Golden IFSO Logo in 1999 and Life Membership in 2005. He has published >350 articles (189 indexed in the Index Medicus, www.PubMed.gov), authored 14 chapters, serves on the editorial board of 5 journals, and has made >500 presentations, many invited abroad. Dr. Deitel is a member of the Central Surgical Association, SAGES, Society for Surgical Oncology, American Head and Neck Society, American College of Nutrition, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, and a Past-President of the Roswell Park Surgical Society.

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.

Stacy A. Brethauer, MD
President, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Associate Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic
Lerner College of Medicine
Program Director, Bariatric Surgery Fellowship
Director of Bariatric Surgery, Fairview Hospital
Medical Director, Supply Chain Management
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 

Dr. Stacy Brethauer is a bariatric surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine  He completed his general surgery residency  at the Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2001and completed his fellowship  in Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and joined the staff there in 2007.

He  is currently president of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  He also chairs the Quality Committee of the American College of Surgeon’s Committee on Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.  He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers, 35 book chapters and has edited two textbooks on minimally invasive bariatric surgery. 

Marie-Philippe Morin, MD, FRCPC
General Internal Medicine specialist
Bariatric Medicine fellowship

Dr. Marie-Philippe Morin completed her Doctorate in Medicine and her residency in General Internal Medicine at Laval University. She is the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic medal of Canada. 

Dr. Marie-Philippe Morin works as a General Internal Medicine Specialist at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute and is an Assistant Professor affiliated to Laval University. She is currently completing a one-year fellowship in bariatric medicine through the University of Ottawa under the supervision of Dr. Judy Shiau and Dr. Robert Dent at the Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence and LEAF Weight Management Clinic. In 2016, she received grants from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the ASMIQ (Association des Spécialistes en Médecine Interne du Québec) and the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute foundation for the purpose of completing her studies in bariatric medicine. Her specialty interests are cardiovascular risk factor management associated with obesity and the management of medical/nutritional complications after bariatric surgery, particularly duodenal switch. 

---

Ronald Eliosoff, MD 

Dr. Ronald Eliosoff graduated from UBC Medical School and completed his Internal Medicine residency at McGill University in 1977.  In 200, while practicing in Covington, Louisiana, he and Dr. Tom Lavin co-founded the bariatric surgical centre, Surgical Specialists of Louisiana.   Dr. Eliosoff moved to Ottawa in 2006 and continue to be actively involved with the care of bariatric surgical patients.

Ronald Eliosoff, MD 

Dr. Ronald Eliosoff graduated from UBC Medical School and completed his Internal Medicine residency at McGill University in 1977.  In 200, while practicing in Covington, Louisiana, he and Dr. Tom Lavin co-founded the bariatric surgical centre, Surgical Specialists of Louisiana.   Dr. Eliosoff moved to Ottawa in 2006 and continue to be actively involved with the care of bariatric surgical patients.

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.

Ms. Michelle Mountain, B.Sc., RD
 

Michelle is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for nutrition and its vital role in bariatric surgery. Michelle is originally from New Brunswick. She received a Bachelor of science degree in psychology from Mount Allison University. After completing this degree she moved to Nova Scotia to pursue her passion in nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University and completed her dietetic internship at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Miramichi Regional Hospital, Atlantic Superstore and Nova Scotia Dietetic Association. She has a strong interest in the psychosocial and environmental factors that influence individual's eating behaviors. For the past 6 years Michelle has been working in the bariatric program  at the Humber River Hospital. She has vast experience working with patients both pre and post bariatric surgery. Michelle has been actively involved in helping with the development and incorporation of many programs within the bariatric program.

Marie-Philippe Morin, MD, FRCPC
General Internal Medicine specialist
Bariatric Medicine fellowship

Dr. Marie-Philippe Morin completed her Doctorate in Medicine and her residency in General Internal Medicine at Laval University. She is the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic medal of Canada. 

Dr. Marie-Philippe Morin works as a General Internal Medicine Specialist at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute and is an Assistant Professor affiliated to Laval University. She is currently completing a one-year fellowship in bariatric medicine through the University of Ottawa under the supervision of Dr. Judy Shiau and Dr. Robert Dent at the Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence and LEAF Weight Management Clinic. In 2016, she received grants from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the ASMIQ (Association des Spécialistes en Médecine Interne du Québec) and the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute foundation for the purpose of completing her studies in bariatric medicine. Her specialty interests are cardiovascular risk factor management associated with obesity and the management of medical/nutritional complications after bariatric surgery, particularly duodenal switch. 

Presentation Overview:

The Duodenal Switch (DS) accounts for less than 5% of bariatric surgeries performed in Canada. Though it is one of the most efficient bariatric surgeries for long term weight loss and remission of comorbidities, the significant malabsorption associated with DS can induce metabolic consequences on peripheral and central nervous system and can increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. 

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Understand the pathophysiology of the development of kidney stones after bariatric surgery
2. Manage patients with nephrolithiasis after malabsorptive surgery to decrease recurrence of kidney stones.

Steven D Schwaitzberg, MD FACS 
Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery
Professor of Biomedical Informatics
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
University at Buffalo
The State University of New York

Steven D. Schwaitzberg, MD, FACS is Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and Professor of Surgery and Bioinformatics.  Dr. Schwaitzberg also serves as the Medical Director, Surgical Program Development, at Great Lakes Health.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Schwaitzberg received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine and a MA (hon) from Harvard in 2014.  He completed his surgical residency (1981-86) at the Baylor Affiliated Hospitals, a fellowships in infectious disease (1980-81) at the Methodist Hospital and  in pediatric trauma (1986-87) at the Pediatric Trauma Institute, Floating Hospital for Children.  

He previously served as the Chief of Surgery at the Cambridge Health Alliance where he was Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.  He served (1990-91) with the 365th Evacuation Hospital, US Military Medical Complex in Seeb, Oman. He has held numerous leadership roles at the New England Medical Center including Chairman of the Institutional Review Board , Medical Director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, and Director of Surgical Research.

Dr. Schwaitzberg is an internationally recognized physician-investigator. Dr. Schwaitzberg has focused his research in five areas: (1) device development; (2) prevention of intra-abdominal adhesions; (3) skill acquisition in minimally invasive surgery; (4) clinical evaluation of antibiotics; and (5) clinical outcomes.  His seminal research on the effects of microwaves in blood warming led to practical device application and federal approval. He translated his basic laboratory work with an anti-adhesion device to the pivotal clinical trial supporting its use in patients. He has made important contributions in both the preclinical and clinical areas in the development of surgical robots. His numerous research projects have been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and industry. He is currently the Principle Investigator on two grants looking at outcomes in biliary tract surgery and a national prospective clinical trial of “natural orifice” versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dr. Schwaitzberg has authored/co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, review articles, book chapters, editorials, and clinical reviews. He holds three US patents.

Dr. Schwaitzberg has won numerous awards including the American College of Surgeons 2010 Health Policy Scholar award, Computerworld/National Smithsonian Honors 21st Century Laureate Achievement award (2003), and many awards for teaching excellence. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and currently serves on the Board of Governors. He is Past President of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons and currently serves as Chairman of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Committee.

Presentation Overview:

The Minimally Invasive Surgery  Revolution began in the early 1990s  but it continues today with many benefits for patients still to come

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.

---

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.

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.

Dr. Claudia Gagnon, MD, FRCPC 

Claudia Gagnon is an adult endocrinologist who graduated from Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec. She completed a 3-year fellowship in phosphocalcic metabolism and metabolic bone diseases at Université of Melbourne, in Australia. She is presently at Laval University and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine.  Her research interests include the effects of treatments of obesity and type 2 diabetes on bone health and the role of vitamin D in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. 

Presentation Overview:

Accumulating evidence suggests that certain bariatric procedures may have a negative impact on bone health. This presentation will summarize the current knowledge on the impact of bariatric surgery on markers of bone health (bone turnover markers and bone mineral density) and on fracture risk. It will also address possible factors associated with bone loss and fracture risk after bariatric procedures. Finally, it will conclude by summarizing recommendations for the preoperative and postoperative management of bone health.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Describe the impact of bariatric surgery on bone turnover markers, bone mineral density and fracture risk;
2. Identify possible factors associated with bone loss and fracture risk after bariatric surgery;
3. Know the recommendations for the management of bone health around bariatric surgery

Dr. Maria Tiboni, MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor, McMaster University
St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON

Dr. Maria Tiboni graduated with honors from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1990 and completed training in Internal Medicine.  She moved to Canada in 1999 and retrained in Internal Medicine at McMaster University receiving her FRCPC in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2006.  Dr. Tiboni holds an academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, at McMaster University and she is also a staff physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJH) since 2006.  She was appointed the Medical Director of the Bariatric Surgical Program at SJH in 2009, she is a member of the Ontario Bariatric Network Advisory Board and chairs the Ontario Bariatric Network Medical Task Force.

Her interests include perioperative and consultative medicine, medical student and resident education.  Dr. Tiboni’s research interest is perioperative medicine with focus on non-cardiac surgery and bariatric surgery.

She is the local Co-PI at Saint Joseph’s Healthcare of the Vision Study (Vascular Events In Non Cardiac Surgery PatIents COhort evaluatioN), the POISE 2 study (PeriOperative Ischemic Evaluation- 2 Trial). She is the local Co-PI at Saint Joseph's Healtcare of the Vision Study (Vascular Events In Non Cardiac Surgery PatIents COhort evaluantioN)

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.

Judy Shiau, MD, FRCPC, DipABOM
Assistant Professor University of Ottawa
Bariatric Medicine Fellowship Program Director
Medical Director and Lead Physician
LEAF Weight Management Clinic

Dr. Shiau’s goal is to provide comprehensive care for patients who are trying to be at a healthy weight. As a general internist, her specialty initially focused on the treatment of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension. She soon realized that many of these health issues were linked with weight management and this was the stimulus for her to develop the EMERALD (Evaluation of the MEtabolic syndrome for the Reduction of Atherosclerosis, Lipids, and Diabetes) weight management program at the Ottawa Cardiovascular Centre, treating over 1,000 patients from 2002 to 2012. In 2012, she joined The Ottawa Hospital Weight Management Clinic (TOH-WMC) to help support the Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) funded medical and surgical weight management programs. However, recognizing the need for a community-based clinic to support patients, Dr. Shiau founded the LEAF Weight Management Clinic (www.leafwmc.com). LEAF stands for Live.Eat.Activity.Forever.

Dr. Shiau graduated medical school from McGill University, completed general internal medicine residency training at McMaster University, and her fellowship year at the University of Toronto. She is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board in Obesity Medicine. As an Assistant Professor and Bariatric Medicine Fellowship program director at University of Ottawa, she trains future generation physicians how to better help their patients who have weight issues.

---

Ms. Michelle Mountain, B.Sc., RD
 

Michelle is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for nutrition and its vital role in bariatric surgery. Michelle is originally from New Brunswick. She received a Bachelor of science degree in psychology from Mount Allison University. After completing this degree she moved to Nova Scotia to pursue her passion in nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University and completed her dietetic internship at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Miramichi Regional Hospital, Atlantic Superstore and Nova Scotia Dietetic Association. She has a strong interest in the psychosocial and environmental factors that influence individual's eating behaviors. For the past 6 years Michelle has been working in the bariatric program  at the Humber River Hospital. She has vast experience working with patients both pre and post bariatric surgery. Michelle has been actively involved in helping with the development and incorporation of many programs within the bariatric program.

Tori Coates, MScFN, RD, CNSC 
Registered Dietitian
Bariatric Program
The Ottawa Hospital

Tori Coates is a Registered Dietitian with the Ottawa Hospital Bariatric Centre of Excellence. She received her BSc. From Brescia University College in Human Ecology and a combined MSc. and dietetic internship from Western University in Foods & Nutrition.

Before Joining the Bariatric Surgery Team at The Ottawa Hospital, Tori worked at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in their Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

Tori is a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario and the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and has been a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician since 2014.

Her interests outside of work include: paddleboarding, snowshoeing, cooking, and spending time at the cottage with family and friends.

Presentation Overview:

This presentation will provide an overview of the components of a comprehensive nutrition-focused physical exam with a focus on identifying micronutrient deficiencies. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing physical presentations of vitamin and mineral deficiencies which clinicians can use to help support their nutritional assessments and diagnoses.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Understand the components of a nutrition-focused physical exam
2. Recognize risk factors for the development of micronutrient abnormalities
3. Identify signs of certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies in post-bariatric surgery patients using a nutrition-focused physical exam

Patti Kastanias MSc(A), RN(EC)
Nurse Practitioner – Adult
Toronto Western Hospital
Bariatric Surgery Program

Patti Kastanias has been a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Toronto Collaborative Bariatric Surgery program at the Toronto Western Hospital since 2011 and is a Lecturer at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto. Prior to this Patti was a Nurse Practitioner for over 10 years in the Toronto Western Hospital Pain Service and her research interests include pain management, bariatrics and nurse practitioner practice.  

Presentation Overview:

This talk will focus on initial management of common GI complications after roux-en-y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries. Possible complications including GI leak, internal hernia, bowel obstruction, marginal ulcer, cholecystitis, and stricture. The focus will be on recognizing these possible complications and understanding the approach to initial management as well as urgent/emergent red flags for sending your patient to the ER. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe signs and symptoms of common GI complications following bariaric surgery (roux-en-y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy surgeries) 
2. Describe an approach to initial management of common GI complications after surgery
3. Recognize red flags for urgent assessment/when to send your patient to the ER.

Lisa Kaouk, MPH candidate, RD

Lisa Kaouk graduated from McGill University in Dietetics and is currently completing a Masters of Public Health at the University of Waterloo. She has been practicing as a registered dietitian at the McGill University Health Centre for more than 7 years. Her primary focus is in bariatric surgery with previous experience in obstetrics involving high-risk pregnancies and fertility. She has been very busy creating a free self-monitoring app for bariatric patients, penning a bilingual bariatric guide book, and establishing an online nutrition counselling practice in bariatric surgery. 

Presentation Overview:

This presentation will look at post-op nutrition considerations in the pre-pregnancy planning phase, tolerance issues faced by pregnant bariatric patients, dietary management and education, and a review of teratogenicity related to dietary intake and supplementation post-bariatric surgery. 

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Advise a post-op patient on pre-pregnancy planning.
2. Identify the important nutrition considerations in the post-op pregnant patient.
3. Manage tolerance issues faced in the pregnant post-op patient

Roshni John M.Sc, RD, CDE
Registered Dietitian- Bariatric Clinic
Humber River Hospital

Roshni John is a Registered Dietitian with the Bariatric Clinic at HRH.

Roshni graduated with a Master’s Degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Mumbai in 1998. She worked as a Dietitian and a Lecturer in India. Roshni started work as a RD in Canada in 2004. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator since 2010 and completed an Intensive Sports Nutrition Course in 2013. 

Roshni is a member of the Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Over the years, she has worked as an inpatient and outpatient Dietitian.  Outside of work, Roshni loves travelling, camping, canning, baking, reading and is a proud pet parent to her dog ‘Truffles’.

Presentation Overview:

A literature review was conducted to learn how alcohol metabolism changes and the effects of alcohol on the body post gastric bypass surgery. 

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to educate patients on guidelines around consumption of alcohol to help with preventing low blood sugars and long term weight management.

Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Women's College Hospital
Senior Scientist, Women's College Research Institute
Director, Division of Equity, Gender and Population, University of Toronto
Director, Bariatric Surgery Psychiatry Program
Mental Health Chair, Canadian Obesity Network

Dr. Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD is an Associate professor at the University of Toronto and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Women’s College Hospital. She is also a senior scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and director of the division of Equity, Gender and Population for the University of Toronto. Nationally, she is director of the bariatric surgery psychiatry program and is the Mental Health Chair for the Canadian Obesity Network. 

Her academic focus is on obesity, metabolic syndrome and mental health in both adults and children. She is interested in the developmental origins and common pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes and depression, the concept of food addiction and the impact of pharmacotherapy on weight and behaviour. She also has an interest in women’s mental health and has written and researched on the overlap between mental illness in women and medical outcomes.  She has funding from NARSAD, CIHR and the federal and provincial governments. She has over 60 peer reviewed publications and has written a CBT manual on weight management. In the past 2 years she has led or been part of 6 funded CIHR grants, an NIH grant and 2 grants from the Ministry of Health.

She recently received a KT fellowship from the Canadian Mental Health Association, an educational fellowship from the International Society on Obesity and a research award from the Canadian Obesity Network. She currently writes a mental health column for the Toronto Star and is director of the Women’s Mental Health Educational Institute she created at the University of Toronto.

---

Richard Yanofsky, MD, FRCPC
Medical Psychiatry, University Health Network
Psychiatrist, Toronto Western Hospital, Bariatric Surgery Program
Lecturer, University of Toronto

Richard Yanofsky graduated from McGill Medical School and did his Psychiatry residency training at the University of Toronto.  He completed a fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry with research interests in the psychosocial assessment and treatment of Bariatric Surgery patients.  He presently practices at University Health Network in the Medical Psychiatry Program, and is psychiatrist in the Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program. 

Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Women's College Hospital
Senior Scientist, Women's College Research Institute
Director, Division of Equity, Gender and Population, University of Toronto
Director, Bariatric Surgery Psychiatry Program
Mental Health Chair, Canadian Obesity Network

Dr. Valerie H. Taylor, MD, PhD is an Associate professor at the University of Toronto and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Women’s College Hospital. She is also a senior scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and director of the division of Equity, Gender and Population for the University of Toronto. Nationally, she is director of the bariatric surgery psychiatry program and is the Mental Health Chair for the Canadian Obesity Network. 

Her academic focus is on obesity, metabolic syndrome and mental health in both adults and children. She is interested in the developmental origins and common pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes and depression, the concept of food addiction and the impact of pharmacotherapy on weight and behaviour. She also has an interest in women’s mental health and has written and researched on the overlap between mental illness in women and medical outcomes.  She has funding from NARSAD, CIHR and the federal and provincial governments. She has over 60 peer reviewed publications and has written a CBT manual on weight management. In the past 2 years she has led or been part of 6 funded CIHR grants, an NIH grant and 2 grants from the Ministry of Health.

She recently received a KT fellowship from the Canadian Mental Health Association, an educational fellowship from the International Society on Obesity and a research award from the Canadian Obesity Network. She currently writes a mental health column for the Toronto Star and is director of the Women’s Mental Health Educational Institute she created at the University of Toronto.

Anna Wallwork MA, MSW, RSW Registered Social Worker
Collaborative Bariatric Surgery Program
Toronto Western Hospital

Anna Wallwork is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2013 and her Master of Arts from the University of Western Ontario in 2007. She has worked in the Bariatric Surgery Program at Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network since 2013 and previously worked as a Research Associate with the Toronto Western Family Health Team, University Health Network from 2007-2011. Her recent research work and interests have included exploring the partner/family experience of living with patients who undergo bariatric surgery, examining the role of social support in bariatric care, and family-focused intervention and treatment in obesity and bariatric care.

Richard Yanofsky, MD, FRCPC
Medical Psychiatry, University Health Network
Psychiatrist, Toronto Western Hospital, Bariatric Surgery Program
Lecturer, University of Toronto

Richard Yanofsky graduated from McGill Medical School and did his Psychiatry residency training at the University of Toronto.  He completed a fellowship in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry with research interests in the psychosocial assessment and treatment of Bariatric Surgery patients.  He presently practices at University Health Network in the Medical Psychiatry Program, and is psychiatrist in the Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program. 

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 and holds the research Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster University.  He is the past president of the Canadian Association for Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons; and the clinical lead and chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network. Dr. Anvari is the scientific director and CEO of the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation; and founding director of the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. 

Dr. Anvari is the author of over 200 publications; and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery; he is a frequently-invited lecturer on topics of bariatric and general surgery as well as the use of robotics in surgery. Dr. Anvari has been honored many times for his innovation and research: he was awarded the ORION Leadership Award in 2010 and the ISS R&D Innovation Award in 2015. 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”.  Most recently, Dr. Anvari was appointed to the Order of Ontario for his support in the development of medical robotics for early detection and treatment of cancers.

---

Dre Léonie Bouvet, MD, FRCSC
Clinical Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University

Dre Léonie Bouvet attended medical school and trained in general surgery at Laval University, in Quebec City.  She graduated as a general surgeon in 2016 and is pursuing a bariatric surgery fellowship at Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute.

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 and holds the research Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Innovation at McMaster University.  He is the past president of the Canadian Association for Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons; and the clinical lead and chair of the Ontario Bariatric Network. Dr. Anvari is the scientific director and CEO of the Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation; and founding director of the Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. 

Dr. Anvari is the author of over 200 publications; and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery; he is a frequently-invited lecturer on topics of bariatric and general surgery as well as the use of robotics in surgery. Dr. Anvari has been honored many times for his innovation and research: he was awarded the ORION Leadership Award in 2010 and the ISS R&D Innovation Award in 2015. 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”.  Most recently, Dr. Anvari was appointed to the Order of Ontario for his support in the development of medical robotics for early detection and treatment of cancers.

Presentation Overview:

This presentation is an evaluation of the effect of different bariatric surgeries on insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Using data from the Ontario Bariatric Registry, patients were divided into four groups, based on insulin use and type of surgery.  Criteria such as weight loss and remission rates were compared. 

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will better comprehend the effects of bariatric surgery on insulin-dependent diabetic patients, and how insulin dependence affects measures such as weight loss and remission rates.

Alexandre Bougie MD, FRCSC 
Clinical Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
McGill University - MUHC

Alexandre Bougie graduated from Sherbrooke University in the province of Quebec in 2011. He then completed his training in general surgery in Sherbrooke in 2016. He is involved in a full time bariatric surgery fellowship at McGill University. Actual research interests focus mainly on metabolic surgery and include provincial practice, surgery for the elderly, revisional surgery, SADI-S and BPD-DS.

Presentation Overview:

• Introduction overview of metabolic surgery in the elderly population
• Description of our retrospective study for the elderly cohort of patients who underwent metabolic surgery at McGill University Health Centre
• Presentation of overall results and superobese subgroup analysis
• Summary and conclusion

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Evaluate safety and efficacy of metabolic surgery in the elderly population through retrospective analysis of a single center cohort in Quebec.
2. Evaluate efficacy of metabolic surgery in the superobese elderly population subgroup in the same cohort.
3. Present a cohort of elderly patients in Canada recruited for both restrictive (sleeve gastrectomy) and anastomotic procedures (gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion) with their outcomes

Dre Léonie Bouvet, MD, FRCSC
Clinical Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University

Dre Léonie Bouvet attended medical school and trained in general surgery at Laval University, in Quebec City.  She graduated as a general surgeon in 2016 and is pursuing a bariatric surgery fellowship at Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute.

Dr. Valérie Deslauriers

Dr. Valerie Deslauriers completed her residency in General Surgery at the University of Ottawa after obtaining her undergrad at the University of Montreal.  She is presently doing a fellowship in Bariatric Surgery with the University of Montreal. Research interests include Endoscopic Treatments and Bariatric Surgery.

Learning Objectives:

1. Types of sleeve stenosis: axial deviation and mechanical stenosis
2. Endoscopic treatment should be considered as the primary device in the treatment of a sleeve stenosis
3. No more than 3 attempts should be performed
4. Achalasia balloon should be the preferred modality of endoscopic treatment used to dilate the sleeve stenosi

Dr. Aristithes Doumouras

Ari graduated from Queen's University in 2012 and began his surgical training at McMaster University the same year. In 2016 he received his Master of Public Health Degree from Harvard University. He is currently in his last year of surgical training at McMaster. His research interests include surgeon level outcomes, economics of bariatric surgery and access to bariatric and minimally invasive surgery.

Omar Felipe Gaytan Fuentes, MD 
Certified Bariatric Surgery Surgeon
Certified Robotic Surgery Surgeon
Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE
Hospital Ángeles Acoxpa
Mexico City, Mexico

Omar Gaytán is a 36-year-old Bariatric Surgery Surgeon graduated from National Autonomous Mexican University (UNAM) in Mexico City, Mexico in 2000. He has been involved in bariatric surgery care since 2009 as a full time attending physician in a Public Tertiary Level Hospital, and in private practice in Hospital Ángeles Acoxpa, both in México City, Mexico. During this time, he also was an Assistant Professor of Bariatric Surgery for six years. As of today, he and his team performs assisted robotic surgery in the field of bariatric surgery procedures, being the first and one of the most experienced public Mexican Medical Centers which performs all sorts of procedures such as vertical sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery and conversion surgery with robotic assisted techniques.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to know the feasibility and advantages of perform conversion bariatric surgery applying robotic surgery techniques. Then, participants should be able to know that the standardization of the bariatric procedure, plays a critical role in the treatment of a failed bariatric procedure. Next, participants should be able to know that conversion surgery requires previous and extensive surgical experience in the bariatric surgery field. Finally, participants should be able to know that robotic assisted bariatric surgery is performed with similar operative times and with less complications in comparison with laparoscopic access.

Dr. Maria Tiboni, MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor, McMaster University
St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON

Dr. Maria Tiboni graduated with honors from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1990 and completed training in Internal Medicine.  She moved to Canada in 1999 and retrained in Internal Medicine at McMaster University receiving her FRCPC in Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2006.  Dr. Tiboni holds an academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, at McMaster University and she is also a staff physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJH) since 2006.  She was appointed the Medical Director of the Bariatric Surgical Program at SJH in 2009, she is a member of the Ontario Bariatric Network Advisory Board and chairs the Ontario Bariatric Network Medical Task Force.

Her interests include perioperative and consultative medicine, medical student and resident education.  Dr. Tiboni’s research interest is perioperative medicine with focus on non-cardiac surgery and bariatric surgery.

She is the local Co-PI at Saint Joseph’s Healthcare of the Vision Study (Vascular Events In Non Cardiac Surgery PatIents COhort evaluatioN), the POISE 2 study (PeriOperative Ischemic Evaluation- 2 Trial). She is the local Co-PI at Saint Joseph's Healtcare of the Vision Study (Vascular Events In Non Cardiac Surgery PatIents COhort evaluantioN)

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

bio coming soon.

---

Simon Marceau, MD, FRCSC
Chef du département de chirurgie
IUCPQ-Université Laval

Dr. Marceau graduated from Laval University in medicine in 1991 and general surgery in 1996. He did a fellowship at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston in 1997-98. He joined the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie and Pneumologie de Québec (I.U.C.P.Q. formerly Hôpital Laval) in 1998 where his father had been practicing surgery for 35 years. The latter with Dr. Simon Biron has pioneered the development of bariatric surgery in Quebec and Canada and their work on the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch has had an impact internationally recognized. He is currently Chief of surgery at the IUCPQ.

Dr. Simon Marceau has contributed to more than fifty scientific papers, scientific articles, abstracts or book chapters.

Learning Objectives:

Review what we know from the literature and review our experience after 30 years with BPD and 25 years with BPD/DS concerning the effect of limb length on weight loss, weight loss maintenance, and incidence of complications / revisions and vitamins deficiencies.

Dr. Francois Julien 
General and Bariatric Surgeon
Quebec City Heart and Lung Institute

Dr Francois Julien is a general and bariatric surgeon at the Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute.  He attended medical school at Université de Montréal and trained in general surgery at Université Laval, in Quebec City.  He pursued a minimally invasive and bariatric fellowship at the University of Ottawa and Université Laval. 

Dr. Pierre Y. Garneau, MD, FRCS(C), FASMBS
Bariatric Surgeon
Chief of General Surgery, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
Professor, University of Montréal

Dr. Pierre Garneau received his medical degree at Laval University in Quebec City in 1991. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University Laval, and had the opportunity to work with the team of Dr. Picard Marceau, one of the fathers of bariatric surgery. Dr. Garneau has been a member of the General Surgery team at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montreal since 1997 and is currently chief of general surgery and Professor at the University of Montreal. Research interest include the impact of obesity surgery on fat tissus and revisional surgery.

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

bio coming soon.

Laurent Biertho, MD
Université Laval, 
Département de Chirurgie
Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec

Dr. Laurent Biertho is Clinical Professor of Surgery at Laval University. After being trained in Biomedical Sciences (1993) and Medicine (1998) at the University of Liege, Belgium, he completed his residency in General Surgery (2004). He underwent post-doctoral training in Minimally Invasive surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, USA, and McMaster University, Canada (2004-2006). At the end of his training, he was appointed Assistant Professor at McMaster University. He was then offered a position as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Laval University, to introduce minimally invasive bariatric and metabolic surgery at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec. He is the director of the fellowship program in Bariatric and Metabolic surgery at Laval University and co-director of the Research Chair in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery. He is also the president of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons. His research interests focus on 1) the long-term metabolic outcomes of bariatric surgeries 2) tailoring surgical approaches to the patients’ needs 3) the study and development of new bariatric procedures.  He is the current President of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS).

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.

Nooshin Alizadeh-Pasdar, PhD, RD 
Registered Clinical Dietitian 
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program 
Vancouver Coastal Health - Richmond

Dr. Nooshin Alizadeh, is a Registered Dietitian & founder of Bariatric Nutrition at Richmond Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program with Vancouver Coastal Health in Richmond, BC, Canada. She has also hold various positions (since 1996) at the University of British Columbia including as a sessional lecturer. She is the main author of the Bariatric Surgery Lifestyle Manual. She has many publications and is reviewer of nutrition textbooks, journal articles, and diet analysis softwares. She has presented in many conferences including Dietetics in Action, National Obesity Summits, BC Obesity Network Summits, and Global Summit on Obesity & Diet Management. She is passionate about the work she does and enjoys everyday interaction with patients and colleagues.

Presentation Overview:

Bariatric surgery has been used as an effective tool, in combination with life style changes, to provide long term weight-loss, improve/resolve coexisting diseases and overall help improve quality of life. Like many other treatments, it may involve complications one of which is reactive hypoglycemia (non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome) which is a rare and potentially serious complication post gastric bypass (RYGB). The purpose of this study was to review a severe case of hypoglycemia post sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and how it was treated by collaboration between our endocrinologist, registered dietitian, and registered nurse.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to: 1) define non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome, 2) understand tests commonly used to diagnose this condition, 3) apply therapeutic methods to treat it, and 4) realize how collaboration of health care team can benefit the patient.

Dr. Aristithes Doumouras

Ari graduated from Queen's University in 2012 and began his surgical training at McMaster University the same year. In 2016 he received his Master of Public Health Degree from Harvard University. He is currently in his last year of surgical training at McMaster. His research interests include surgeon level outcomes, economics of bariatric surgery and access to bariatric and minimally invasive surgery.

Cassandre Julien, B.Sc. 
Étudiante au doctorat en psychologie - Profil Recherche/Intervention
Assistante de recherche - Projet REBORN (REsearch on Bariatric care for Obesity tReatmeNt)
Centre de Médecine Comportementale de Montréal
http://mbmc-cmcm.ca/fr/
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
Université du Québec à Montréal

Cassandre Julien is a Fonds de Recherche du Québec en santé (FRQS) funded second year doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Quebec at Montreal (specialization in behavioral medicine). She works under the supervision of Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon at the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre at Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal. Research interests include: understanding the psychological and behavioral factors associated with chronic diseases (i.e., obesity, asthma, cardiovascular diseases) and behavioral interventions for chronic disease patients. Her doctoral thesis consists of the development of an adjunct behavioral intervention to improve long-term weight management in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Presentation Overview:

Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, is associated with psychological stress and problematic eating. However, there is inconsistent evidence about potential psychological and behavioral contributors to preoperative weight outcomes in bariatric populations. This presentation will look at the associations between weight, depression and problematic eating behaviours in a sample of candidates for bariatric surgery from the Canadian REBORN cohort. Depressive status and eating behaviours may not significantly impact pre-bariatric surgery weight and weight changes. However, depression may increase problematic eating in bariatric patients, which suggests a role for depression in suboptimal postoperative weight outcomes in this population.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Determine whether depression and/or problematic eating behaviors influence weight and BMI changes in obese patients before bariatric surgery.
2. Describe the associations between depression and problematic eating patterns in candidates for bariatric surgery.
3. Recognize the potential benefit of targeting depression to improve postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Ms. Erin Wong 

Erin Wong is a second-year medical student at the University of Toronto. She completed her Bachelor of Sciences in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. Her research interests include mental health in the bariatric surgery population, metabolic syndrome associated with antipsychotic usage and quality of life and palliative radiation in end-stage cancer population.

Ronald Eliosoff, MD 

Dr. Ronald Eliosoff graduated from UBC Medical School and completed his Internal Medicine residency at McGill University in 1977.  In 200, while practicing in Covington, Louisiana, he and Dr. Tom Lavin co-founded the bariatric surgical centre, Surgical Specialists of Louisiana.   Dr. Eliosoff moved to Ottawa in 2006 and continue to be actively involved with the care of bariatric surgical patients.

Ms. Anda Dragomir, MSc
Doctoral Candidate, 
Université du Québec à Montréal
Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal

Anda Dragomir is a Psychology Master's graduate and currently a Fonds de Recherche du Québec en santé (FRQS) funded Doctoral Candidate, in her third year of Clinical Psycholoy, at University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). Her supervisors, Drs. Kim Lavoie and Simon Bacon are co-founders of the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, situated in the Hôpital de Sacré-Coeur de Montreal Research Centre. Anda's research interests are focused on behavioural medicine and behaviour change strategies such as Motivational Communication. She is currently working on the optimization of an evidence-based Continuing Medical Education training program aimed at improving chronic disease patient care and management.  

Presentation Overview:

This research aimed to assess the prevalence of psychological distress among bariatric surgery candidates and to determine the association between preoperative psychological distress and quality of life. Pre-bariatric surgery patients completed self-reported questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety symptoms and health quality of life on the day of their preoperative visit. Findings suggest that the prevalence of psychological distress is high among bariatric surgery candidates. Moreover, severe depressive symptoms are related to poorer mental health quality of life, whereas severe anxiety symptoms are related to worse physical health quality of life. 

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to better understand the psychological profile of bariatric surgery candidates.

They should also be able to better understand the impact of depression and anxiety symptoms on physical and mental health quality of life before surgery.

As well, the participants will be brought to consider the importance of addressing psychological distress in bariatric surgery candidates. 

Michel Gagner, MD, FRCSC, FACS, FASMBS
Professor of surgery, Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine, FIU
Senior consultant, Hôpital du Sacre Coeur, Montreal

Dr. Gagner obtained, at the age of 22, his M.D. in 1982, and did his surgical training at McGill from 1982-1988.

He worked at the Cleveland Clinic where he co-founded the MIS Center (1995-1998). He was appointed Director of the MIS Center of Mount Sinai (NY), from 1998 to 2003. He then joined Weill-Cornell as Chief of Laparoscopic/Bariatric (2003-2007). He was Chair of Surgery at Mount Sinai (Miami), and is currently Professor at FlU, and senior consultant Montreal. In 2014, he founded WWO (World Without Obesity), for the education and development of metabolic surgery in Third World countries. He is also a board member of ASMBS foundation.

Dr Gagner is known for his contributions in MIS, in particular the first description of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (1992), laparoscopic pancreatectomy (distal/proximal) (1992-93), endoscopic neck surgery with parathyroidectomy in 1995, transgastric cholecystectomy in 1997 (NOTES), laparoscopic DS in 1999 and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in 2000.

He has over 375 published articles, 47 book chapters, and 9 books on MIS surgery. He has held positions in more than 35 societies, and has served on the editorial boards of 12 surgical journals (Associate Editor of SOARD and Obesity Surgery). Dr Gagner was the President IFSO 2014 (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) annual meeting and 5th International Conference on Sleeve Gastrectomy held in Montreal, August 26-30th, 2014. He also has been on the executive board of IFSO for the last 3 years, and president of the Canadian chapter of ASMBS, and program chair of ASMBS 2016.

---

Alexandre Bougie MD, FRCSC 
Clinical Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
McGill University - MUHC

Alexandre Bougie graduated from Sherbrooke University in the province of Quebec in 2011. He then completed his training in general surgery in Sherbrooke in 2016. He is involved in a full time bariatric surgery fellowship at McGill University. Actual research interests focus mainly on metabolic surgery and include provincial practice, surgery for the elderly, revisional surgery, SADI-S and BPD-DS.

Presentation Overview:

• Introduction overview on weight recidivism post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and its different managements options.
• Description of our retrospective study for this specific type of gastro-jejunal revision cohort of patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at McGill University Health Centre
• Presentation of our results in term of safety and efficacy
• Summary and conclusion

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Evaluate safety and feasibility of laparoscopic wedge resection of gastrojejunostomy for a wide stoma after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
2. Evaluate efficacy of laparoscopic wedge resection of gastrojejunostomy for a wide stoma after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
3. Present a selected small cohort of patients who underwent a specific type of gastro-jejunal anastomosis revision post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a single center.

Dr. Laurie Fasola

Laurie Fasola graduated from Medical School in Caracas, Venezuela in 2000. Her interest in Metabolic Surgery started back then.  Where her research was focused in small animal models and dietary modifications. After graduating she returned to Canada and worked with a Hepatologist focusing in NASH as well as with MIS surgeons in Toronto Western Hospital. Afterwards she joined the General Surgery residency program of University of Toronto where she trained with experienced MIS/ bariatric surgeons and continued fascinated with the area of metabolic surgery.  After assisting and performing several revisional surgeries with the team she found there was not much literature of Canadian experience with Vertical Banded Gastroplasty revisional surgery outcomes. This has led her to research the institutional results and continues to seek the Bariatric network outcomes to further assess our regional experience.

Dre Léonie Bouvet, MD, FRCSC
Clinical Fellow - Bariatric Surgery
Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute - Laval University

Dre Léonie Bouvet attended medical school and trained in general surgery at Laval University, in Quebec City.  She graduated as a general surgeon in 2016 and is pursuing a bariatric surgery fellowship at Quebec city Heart and Lung Institute.

Paryse Johnson MD 
Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Quebec
Université Laval

Paryse Johnson graduated from Sherbrooke University medical school in 2014 and then went on to Laval university where she is currently completing the 3rd year of her General surgery residency.

Presentation Overview:

• Introduction
• Available literature
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion
• Question period

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Make an informed decision about routine cholecystectomy during biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS).
2. Accurately inform patients about the risks of having symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis requiring surgical intervention following BPDDS without cholecystectomy.

Eden Yideng Liu , BSc.
MD Candidate 2017
McMaster University

Eden is currently a 3rd year medical student at McMaster University and is looking forward to pursuing a career in Internal Medicine. 

Presentation Overview:

1. Case Presentation
2. Vitamin C deficiency perioperatively

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to recognize scurvy as an uncommon, but easily treatable condition post-bariatric surgery. 

Vanessa Tardio, MD, FRCPC, BSc Nutrition
Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism
Clinical Research Fellow, CHUQ

Dr. Vanessa Tardio graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition with honours from McGill University. She received her Medical Doctorate degree from Laval University in Quebec City and completed a 3-year residency in internal medicine at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec. She then completed a 2-year fellowship in Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC). She is currently completing a clinical and research fellowship in Obesity Medicine, Bariatric Surgery and Bone Health at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute. She holds a position as an Endocrinologist and Assistant Professor at the MUHC.