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Recognizing the urgent need to align clinical practice with contemporary data, IFSO partnered with
the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) to publish the groundbreaking
2022 ASMBS/IFSO Guidelines. Backed by three decades of robust scientific evidence, this landmark
joint effort fundamentally updated the indications for surgery worldwide. We successfully expanded
the scope of treatment to a much broader patient population, including those with lower body mass
index thresholds suffering from severe metabolic disease. By modernizing these criteria, IFSO drove
a massive shift in treatment availability, paving the way for better, more equitable patient care on a
global scale.

The Modern Evolution: Embracing the Full Spectrum of Care

Medical science continues to advance rapidly, and the past few years have introduced a revolution
in non-surgical interventions. The advent of powerful pharmacotherapy, most notably GLP-1
receptor agonists, alongside remarkable leaps in endoscopic MBS procedures, has fundamentally
altered the obesity treatment landscape.
Recognizing that surgery could no longer be viewed as an isolated endpoint, IFSO adapted once
more. Last year, building on the critical momentum generated by recent past presidents such as
Scott Shikora, Gerhard Prager, Ricardo Cohen, and Khaled Gawdat, our mission evolved again. We
proudly became the International Federation for Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity. This was
not merely a change in nomenclature; it was a profound expansion of our scope. By bringing
breakthrough drug therapies and endoscopic advances under the IFSO umbrella, we established
ourselves as the comprehensive authority on evidence-based obesity interventions.

The New Era of Combination Therapy

As we define "IFSO Now," we are officially entering the era of combination therapy. The treatment of
obesity and its associated diseases/disorders can no longer rely on single-modality solutions. The
future of our field is synergistic. Combination therapy will be the mainstay in treating this chronic
disease, utilizing strategies such as:

• Surgery and Pharmacotherapy: Deploying GLP-1s and novel medications pre- or
post-operatively and also during weight loss to optimize weight-loss outcomes, manage
recurrent weight gain, and sustain long-term metabolic disease remission.
• Endoscopic and Surgical Synergy: Utilizing less-invasive endoscopic procedures as primary
interventions, as bridges to surgery for high-risk patients, or as tools for revisional maintenance.
• Medical and Endoscopic Combinations: Achieving significant, sustainable results by judiciously
pairing powerful drugs with advanced endoscopic techniques.

A Global Footprint and Educational Reach

Today, our federation's reach and influence are unprecedented. IFSO now stands as a truly global
powerhouse, boasting 78 member countries and 12,000 active members organized across five
regional chapters spanning the globe. To support this large network, IFSO's educational initiatives
have expanded beyond traditional borders. While our annual IFSO World Congress and the
dedicated meetings of our five regional chapters remain the premier gatherings for scientific
exchange, the concept of "IFSO Now" embraces a continuous, year-round model of learning.
We have aggressively expanded our digital presence, launching regular interactive webinars,
dedicated YouTube channels, and educational platforms across social media to democratize MBS
knowledge. Furthermore, with this global footprint comes a responsibility to ensure quality and
safety. Under my presidency, I am proud to be launching a global IFSO Fellowship Program. This

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