Graduate Program in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Bariatric Surgery

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN

MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND ROBOTIC BARIATRIC SURGERY

2026

Currently, there is a sharp increase in the demand for bariatric surgeries performed using laparoscopic techniques. These techniques are considered the method of choice for most surgical procedures. Patients opt for this type of procedure because it is less invasive, safer, and results in a faster postoperative recovery. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the bariatric patient in all their complexity and scope. It features a core curriculum focused on understanding, discussions, and the alignment of perspectives among surgeons and the multidisciplinary team, as well as the refinement of various surgical techniques, the management of complications, revision surgeries, bariatric endoscopy, and future prospects in the treatment of morbid obesity. Technically well-prepared surgeons can change the life stories of metabolic patients, giving them more time and a better quality of life. This also results in lower costs for public and private healthcare systems, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare expenses and early retirement costs. This fully justifies theoretical and practical training in Minimally Invasive Bariatric Surgery, focused on the day-to-day practice of bariatric and metabolic surgeons, featuring lectures by Brazil’s leading experts. Comprehensive training in techniques using live models, dry labs, and cadaver labs. Participation in live surgeries and observation of the daily routines of leading figures in bariatric and metabolic surgery in Curitiba and Argentina during a supervised internship, during which students will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

MENTORS

Coordinators

TEACHERS

Concept, Practice & Immersive Environment

Methodology

The training is both theoretical and practical, designed to provide an understanding of the operation and components of the technological platform to be used in surgery.

All in-person training will involve the use of:

In the simulation center and the operating room, focusing on routine procedures and problem-solving.
Supplementary preclinical training that will involve the development of motor skills based on simulations of the surgical techniques that are the focus of the training.
Surgical techniques will also be combined with observation of surgical cases, providing students with hands-on experience as surgical assistants, as well as the opportunity to perform procedures during training and under supervision.
All of these steps will be supervised by a preceptor surgeon with extensive practical experience and well-established expertise in the technical aspects of the training.

Classes will be held as follows:

Online theory classes taught by leading professionals in the field, live surgery demonstrations, and discussions of clinical cases.
Hands-on training using live and inanimate models.
An observational internship that provides experience with the day-to-day routine of the Minimally Invasive Surgery department.

Hybrid Module	Activity	Day of the Week	Schedule	Type	Daily Rate (check-in/check-out)	Weekly (h/a)	Module	Total Course
	Lectures	2nd through 4th	7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.	Online	3	9	9	36
	Live Surgeries	6º	8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	In-person	10	10	10	40
	Hands-On Classes	Saturday and Sunday	8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.	In-person	10	20	20	80
	Analysis and Evaluation of Recorded Surgeries	Free	free	Online	9	9	9	36
Entrepreneurship and Medical Career Management Module	Lectures	To Be Determined	to be determined	Online	To Be Determined	To Be Determined	52	52
Supervised Internship	Postoperative Care	2nd through 6th	8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	In-person	8	40	80	80
Extracurricular Activities	Reading Articles, Case Studies, and Recorded Surgeries	Free	free	Online	Free	Free	9	36
TOTAL								360

DYNAMICS

Duration of up to 16 months

Total course load of 360 hours, divided into 280 hours of theoretical and practical activities and 80 hours of supervised internship

4 hybrid modules, each lasting 57 hours

Classroom hours

10 hours of live surgery
20 hours of hands-on practice

Online course load

9 hours of live theoretical classes
9 hours of analysis/evaluation of advanced surgeries
9 hours of reading articles and studying case studies

Supervised internship

80 hours of observational internship with the course coordinators

Entrepreneurship and Medical Career Management

With a course load of 52 hours, the course is taught entirely online

ACADEMIC SCHEDULE

Module 1: Fundamentals and Techniques of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Date: March 16–22, 2026
Online classes: March 16, 17, and 18, 2026
In-person at Scolla: March 20, 21, and 22, 2026

– Scolla presentation and course
– Minimum hospital infrastructure requirements for high-quality bariatric and metabolic surgery.
– Growth of the bariatric surgery job market and opportunities for new surgeons.
– Changes in preoperative care with new medications for obesity.
– Technical steps that make a difference in vertical gastrectomy.
– Differences in the Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy technique (loop measurements and pouch size).
– Major and most serious early abdominal complications in bariatric surgery.
– Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia: occurrence and treatment.
– GERD after vertical gastrectomy: a cause for concern (YES and NO, from different perspectives).
– Choosing the most appropriate surgical technique for the patient, with new techniques endorsed by the CFM.
– Motor changes in the esophagus after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: etiology and treatment.
– Intragastric balloons: how to choose the most appropriate one and expected outcomes.
– Postoperative nutrition and the surgeon’s role.
– Live surgeries with case discussions.
– Hands-on training and realistic simulation of minimally invasive and/or robotic surgeries on synthetic, ex vivo, and live models.

Module 2: Advanced Approaches and Postoperative Challenges in Bariatric Surgery

Date: April 20–26, 2026
Online classes: April 20, 21, and 22, 2026
In-person classes at Scolla: April 24, 25, and 26, 2026

– Gastric bypass for obese patients with GERD and why reflux occurs postoperatively.
– Cholelithiasis: management (before, during, or after bariatric surgery) and approach to choledocholithiasis.
– Effects of bariatric surgery on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
– Technical demonstration of a proper sleeve gastrectomy.
– When not to recommend bariatric surgery.
– Sleeve gastrectomy conversion due to GERD: two technical options.
– Sleeve gastrectomy for SADI-S.
– Percutaneous management of post-gastric bypass complications.
– Reduction in the incidence of early readmissions after metabolic bariatric surgery and the most common reasons.
– Weight regain: current understanding, causes, non-surgical treatments, and the role of injectable medications.
– Bariatric surgery in obese adolescents: criteria and optimal surgical approach.
– Live surgeries with case discussions.
– Hands-on training and realistic simulation of minimally invasive and/or robotic surgeries on synthetic, ex vivo, and live models.

Module 3: Innovations, Updates, and Multidisciplinary Aspects of Bariatric Surgery

Date: May 25–31, 2026
Online classes: May 25, 26, and 27, 2026
In-person classes at Scolla: May 29, 30, and 31, 2026

– Innovative gastric balloons with video presentation.
– The importance of preoperative care in revision surgery.
– Post-bypass dysphagia and post-gastric bypass esophageal diverticulum.
– Protocols for managing postoperative complications.
– Bariatric surgery as a protective factor against cancer: evidence.
– Bypass with prior fundoplication: partial or complete reversal.
– Key considerations in clinical and pharmacological management before indicating revision surgery for obesity recurrence.
– Bipartition of intestinal transit—From concept to widespread recognition.
– Importance of training on a robotic platform.
– Role of endoscopic treatment in post-sleeve fistula.
– Choice of Surgical Technique in Light of the New CFM Resolution.
– Gastroesophageal Reflux After Vertical Gastrectomy
– Live Surgeries with Case Discussions.
– Hands-on Training and Realistic Simulation of Minimally Invasive and/or Robotic Surgeries on Synthetic, Ex Vivo, and Live Models.

Module 4: 4th International Symposium

Date: July 13–19, 2026
Online classes: July 13, 14, and 15, 2026
In-person at Scolla: July 17, 18, and 19, 2026

– Comparison between laparoscopic and robotic approaches.
– Key points on remote robotic surgery.
– Current state of metabolic surgery.
– Robotic bariatric surgery.
– Metabolic disease and e-SADI’S.
– Best indications for OAGB.
– Optimal indications for intestinal bipartition and modified bipartition.
– Stronger evidence for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
– Post-bariatric surgery weight regain: medical treatment.
– Two large case series.
– Lessons learned over 4 years of the Scolla Postgraduate Program in Minimally Invasive Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.
– Live surgeries with case discussions.
– Hands-on training and realistic simulation of minimally invasive and/or robotic surgeries on synthetic, ex vivo, and live models.

Module 5: Supervised In-Person Internship

A supervised internship is a required activity that involves students gaining hands-on experience by observing the daily operations of the surgical units where the program’s coordinators and faculty members work.

Module 6: Entrepreneurship and Medical Career Management

This 100% online module is designed to guide medical professionals in their career reflection, with the aim of laying the groundwork for career planning and entrepreneurship through design and planning tools that help structure scenarios and possible outcomes.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN

MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND ROBOTIC BARIATRIC SURGERY

APPROVAL CRITERIA

75% class attendance

Grade “C” on the overall evaluation

Student Profile

Medical residents and general surgeons with proven experience in bariatric surgery.
Fully trained bariatric surgeons.

HIGHLIGHTS

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