Where did you complete your fellowship and what was the duration?
I spent twelve months (November 2023 – October 2024) in the Esophagogastric & Bariatric Surgery Unit at Bordeaux University Hospital, France, under the supervision of Professor Caroline Gronnier.
At what point in your career did you undertake it?
When the fellowship began, I had been a junior attending surgeon (chef de clinique adjoint) in the Department of Visceral Surgery at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) for six months, following two years in the same role at Yverdon Regional Hospital.
How was the fellowship funded?
Support came from CHUV’s professional-development fund and the Department of Visceral Surgery, complemented by grants from the SICPAC Foundation and the Société Académique Vaudoise, whose backing I gratefully acknowledge.
How did you secure the fellowship?
The placement was arranged through the Department of Visceral Surgery at CHUV with invaluable guidance from Dr Styliani Mantziari – whose commitment to both the organization of this fellowship and my overall training I warmly thank – with the support of Professor Nicolas Demartines, the former Chef de Service.
What are you learning through this fellowship?
My main focus was high-volume robotic bariatric and metabolic surgery, covering primary and revisional procedures from pre-operative planning through long-term follow-up. In addition, I gained further experience in oncologic and functional oesogastric surgery and strengthened my clinical-research skills through multi-center collaborations resulting in publications in high-impact journals such as Annals of Surgery.
What motivated you to pursue a fellowship?
I sought immersion in a training culture centered on robotic bariatric surgery, exposure to complex obesity management, and the opportunity to build an international research network.
Future plans?
I intend to continue advanced training in bariatric-metabolic surgery and to focus on the comprehensive care of people living with obesity, integrating state-of-the-art robotic techniques with clinical and translational research. At CHUV we already have an outstanding multidisciplinary obesity-management team – surgical and medical – and I am delighted to be part of it as we bring these innovations to Lausanne.
Would you recommend this fellowship?
Absolutely. It offers unparalleled hands-on experience in robotic bariatric surgery within a supportive academic environment – ideal for anyone aiming for true sub-specialist expertise while broadening their research horizons
