Dear Colleagues,

Obesity and its associated comorbidities are now among the leading causes of death and are being addressed as a pandemic that urgently requires intervention. Our country ranks first among European countries in the incidence of both adult and childhood obesity and type-II diabetes. Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is the most effective and permanent method for obese and type-II diabetic individuals who do not achieve success with lifestyle changes and medical treatment, both globally and in our country. Despite this, less than 0.01% of individuals worldwide undergo surgical treatment, and there is no standardization of treatment modalities yet. It is now a well-known fact that the treatment of obesity, a multifactorial disease, must be performed in the earliest and most effective manner with a multidisciplinary approach.

We are honored to invite you to the 9th Congress of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Surgery, which will be held at the Nirvana Cosmopolitan Congress Center, Kundu/Antalya, from October 17-20, 2024. In this sincere and scientific feast, we will discuss the latest developments in the surgical and multidisciplinary treatment of obesity, the challenges faced, and the most recent advancements in techniques. This congress also hosts the 4th Congress of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Dietetics, making it a broadly attended event.

We aimed to hold our congress in Antalya during the best possible climate conditions. We have prepared the congress program together with an extensive scientific committee, based on your suggestions. We express our gratitude to the esteemed members of the scientific committee who worked with great dedication during the program preparation. In our congress, which will address obesity, the metabolic problems it causes, and the methods applied in solving these problems, we plan to offer live surgical cases, multidisciplinary case discussions, and hands-on opportunities with live tissue and simulators for novice bariatric surgeons. Additionally, we aim to enhance knowledge sharing through debates and round-table sessions where you can engage in direct exchanges with international speakers and participants.

The Congress of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Dietetics will be a scientific congress consisting of sessions that emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary team work, where current topics in the field will be discussed with experts, and where pre- and post-metabolic and bariatric surgery nutrition methods will be explained with real cases.

We believe that this congress, where the scientific contributions and experiences of those who have devoted themselves to the surgical treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases will be presented, will contribute to our professional development and that we must work harmoniously with other branches to grow as the bariatric surgery community. Therefore, we invite each of you to join us and become a bigger, stronger family together.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee,