Alberic Fiennes named as incoming IFSO-EC president

Alberic Fiennes, a leading British bariatric surgeon, has been named as the next president of the European chapter of IFSO, the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders.

Fiennes, who is currently president of BOMSS, the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, will lead IFSO-EC from 2014. He currently practices as in London and at St Anthony’s Hospital in Surrey.

“I am honored to be following Professor Yuri Yashkov as the next President of IFSO-EC,” said Fiennes of his appointment. “Tackling obesity is complex and challenging. Patients who are severely overweight have a disease that may spoil every aspect of their lives.

“They need safe and correct professional care plus understanding, kindness and support - to be helped, not judged. IFSO is playing a key role in improving that care and I look forward to contributing to its development.”

BOMSS Council member and consultant bariatric surgeon Sally Norton said: “We are very proud that our current president will soon be leading the development and regulation of metabolic and weight loss surgery across Europe.”

The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders is a federation of national societies for surgeons and allied health professionals who treat patients with severe and complex obesity. Worldwide, the Federation is divided into four Chapters, and is made up of 40 official member associations as well as individual members from countries currently without a national society.

Fiennes was formerly director of bariatric surgery at University College London Hospital. Prior to this, he had been associated with pioneers of British obesity surgery in the 1980s at St George's Hospital and Medical School in south-west London. Later, as consultant surgeon and senior lecturer, he went on to build up the current multi-disciplinary service there.