This one-year fellowship was established in 2003 and includes simultaneous clinical and research responsibility. The objectives are to develop a bariatric and advanced minimally invasive surgeon that can assume complete responsibility for the preoperative, operative, and postoperative surgical care of the general surgery patient undergoing minimally invasive surgery and the morbidly obese patient. Accomplishing this primary objective involves a knowledge and understanding of bariatric surgical physiology, behavioral, dietary, and nutritional approach to the bariatric patient, and the associated social and financial dynamics.
The institution is certified by American College of Surgeons as a Bariatric Surgery Center (MBSAQIP). The fellow is expected to perform at least 250 laparoscopic procedures, 5-open bariatric procedures, and 75 other advanced laparoscopic procedures. This will include at least 100 procedures as primary surgeons and a combination of restrictive procedures (sleeves and bands), malabsorptive procedures (RNY gastric bypass) and revisional bariatric procedures. The fellow will also be involved in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures and will be formally educated on non-surgical weight loss measures.
A wide breadth of out-patient clinic experience allows the fellow to build skills in assessment, clinical decision making and the development of treatment plans. Most elective surgery patients are not admitted to the hospital until the day of the scheduled operation; therefore, the outpatient clinics are organized to include an opportunity for the fellow to perform complete evaluations on all patients prior to hospital admission, allowing for continuity of care. This practice setting also gives the fellow exposure to the business and management of a professional bariatric practice. The fellow will participate in ongoing clinical research and prepare at least one paper, poster, video, or abstract that meets criteria for presentation at a national forum or for publication. Ethics and academia will be fused throughout the fellowship to ensure that the trainee will, upon completion of the program, reflect the conscience of modern bariatric surgery, maintain the leadership and direction of the profession, and help shape the future of the field.