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About The Conference

Chairperson Message

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

We are thrilled to host this important medical event that brings together experts from around the region to discuss the latest advancements and innovations in current medical & surgical treatment of obesity. It is with great pleasure and immense excitement that we welcome you all to the 4th Kuwait Obesity Conference 2026. This remarkable gathering stands as a testament to our collective dedication to tackling the pressing challenges posed by obesity in our region.

Today, we stand at the forefront of medical innovation, armed with a wealth of knowledge and cutting-edge techniques that have the potential to revolutionize the field of current medical & surgical treatment of obesity. Throughout this congress, we have the unique opportunity to share our experiences, insights, and breakthroughs, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration that transcends borders and empowers us to rise above the complexities of these conditions.

As obesity continues to present growing healthcare challenges worldwide, this conference serves as an essential platform for exchanging scientific knowledge, clinical expertise, and innovative treatment strategies. Together, we aim to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and enhance patient-centered approaches in obesity management.

Through insightful discussions, expert-led sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities, we hope this congress will inspire new perspectives and contribute to advancing the standards of obesity care across the region. We are honored by your participation and look forward to a highly successful and impactful event.

Warm regards,

Dr. Shehab Abdullah Akrouf President Kuwait Obesity Conference

Chairperson
Years of experience * Years of experience *
15+
Obesity

Our Committee

Meet Our Committee

Head Committee

Dr. Mohammad Jamal

Founder of Kuwait Obesity Surgery Conference, Head of the Organizing Committee, Program Director of Bariatric Surgery Training Program in Kuwait

Committee

Dr. Khaled Alyaqout

Specialist General Surgery

Committee

Dr. Asrar Alsayed Hashem

Consultant in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology

Committee

Dr. Eman AlAwadhi

Clinical Dietitian and Sport and Exercise Scientist

Our Speakers

Meet the Experts


Spain

Dr. Carlos Abril

Staff Physician, General Surgery

USA

Dr. Daniel Guerron

Consultant general and bariatric surgeon

USA

Dr. John H. Rodriguez

Chief of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Digestive Disease Institute

Kuwait

Dr. Abdullah Sultan

Bariatric, Laparoscopic, Robotic Surgeon

Kuwait

Dr. Khaled Alyaqout

Specialist General Surgery

Kuwait

Dr. Mohammad Jamal

Founder of Kuwait Obesity Surgery Conference

Kuwait

Dr. Mohsen Alhashemi

Bariatric and Hernia Surgeon

Kuwait

Dr. Aziz Karam

Associate Professor of Surgery at Kuwait University

Schedule

Scientific Program

Surgical

Monday, 02nd November 2026

Al-Hashemi Ballroom

01:00PM 02:00PM
Registration
Arrival

Registration

Welcome Desk

Session 1: Technical Pearls

Moderators: TBA

02:00PM 02:15PM
Dr. Mohsen Alhashemi
Lecture

Is There a Perfect Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Dr. Mohsen Alhashemi

02:15PM 02:30PM
Dr. John H. Rodriguez
Lecture

Stapled or Hand-Sewn Gastrojejunostomy: Does It Matter?

Dr. John H. Rodriguez

02:30PM 02:45PM
Dr. John H. Rodriguez
Lecture

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Does Jejunojejunostomy Limb Length Matter?

Dr. John H. Rodriguez

02:45PM 03:00PM
Ismaiel Al-Jazaf
Lecture

SADI, SASI & Duodenal Switch: Are They Ready for Kuwait?

Ismaiel Al-Jazaf

03:00PM 03:15PM
Khaled AlYaqout
Lecture

How I Prevent Staple Line Leaks and Bleeding

Khaled AlYaqout

03:15PM 03:30PM
Carlos Abril
Lecture

Technical Pearls in Hiatal Hernia Repair During Bariatric Surgery

Carlos Abril

03:30PM 03:45PM
Carlos Abril
Lecture

Tips & Tricks in Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Carlos Abril

03:45PM 04:00PM
Q & A
QA

Q & A

04:00PM 04:30PM
Coffee Break
Break

Coffee Break

Networking & Refreshments

Session 2: When Bariatric Surgery Goes Wrong

Moderators: TBA

04:30PM 04:40PM
Dummy
Lecture

Video: Staple Line Leak

Abdulaziz Karam

04:40PM 04:50PM
Dummy
Lecture

Video: Difficult Sleeve with Bleeding

Hussain Alsaraan

04:50PM 05:00PM
Dr. John Rodriguez
Lecture

Industry Symposium

TBA

05:00PM 05:10PM
Mohammed Alhennidi
Lecture

Video: Internal Hernia After RYGB

Mohammed Alhennidi

05:10PM 05:20PM
Dr. Daniel Guerron
Lecture

Video: Twisted Sleeve Gastrectomy

Dr. Daniel Guerron

05:20PM 05:30PM
John H. Rodriguez
Lecture

Case Discussion: What Would You Do?

John H. Rodriguez

05:30PM 05:40PM
John H. Rodriguez
Lecture

Case Discussion: Revisional Surgery Decision Making

Daniel Guerron

05:40PM 05:50PM
Sultan
Lecture

Video: Difficult Revisional Bariatric Surgery

Abdullah Sultan

05:50PM 06:00PM
Sultan
Lecture

Video: Conversion of Failed Sleeve

Ahmed Almulla

06:00PM 06:10PM
Sultan
Lecture

Unexpected Intra-operative Complication

Saud Alsubaie

06:10PM 06:20PM
Daniel
Lecture

Bail-Out Strategies Every Bariatric Surgeon Should Know

Daniel Guerron

06:20PM 06:30PM
Lecture

Audience Interactive Case Voting

TBA

06:30PM 06:40PM
Lecture

Expert Panel Discussion

Mohamed Aljarallah/Obaid Al-Harbi

06:40PM 06:50PM
Discussion

Lessons Learned: My Biggest Complication

Dr. Shehab Abdullah Akrouf

06:50PM 07:00PM
Q & A
QA

Q & A

Session 3: Expert Updates

Moderators: TBA

07:00PM 07:15PM
Lecture

Extended Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis: Current Evidence

Asmaa Alrashed

07:15PM 07:30PM
Lecture

EndoFLIP in Bariatric Surgery: Current Applications

Shauib Alqallaf

07:30PM 07:45PM
Lecture

GLP-1 Agonists, Gastroparesis & Peri-operative Management

Mohammed Jamal

07:45PM 08:00PM
Lecture

Malabsorptive Procedures in Patients Taking Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs

Ali Almuhaini

07:45PM 08:00PM
Discussion

The new bariatric regulation 2026

TBA

Medicinal

Tuesday, 03rd November 2026

Al-Hashemi Ballroom

COMING SOON!!

Our Sponsors

Event Sponsors


Gold Sponsor



Silver Sponsors



Bronze Sponsor

Our Venue

Event Location

Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait
Official Conference Venue
01
Event Destination

Radisson Blu Hotel Kuwait

Conference Hall Al Hashemi Ballroom
Venue Address

Al Bida Road, Al Taoun Street, Salwa, P.O. Box 26199

Venue Contact +965 2567 3000
Location & Navigation

Find the Venue

Kuwait
Destination Al Hashemi Ballroom
Attendee Assistance

Need help before the conference?

Our support desk can assist with registration, event guidance and attendee enquiries.

Speaker
Local Faculty

Dr. Abdullah Sultan

Bariatric, Laparoscopic, Robotic Surgeon

Speaker
International Faculty

Dr. Carlos Abril

Staff Physician, General Surgery

Carlos M. Abril Vega, MD, PhD is a Consultant Staff Physician at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in the Digestive Disease Institute, specializing in general and bariatric surgery. With a PhD from the University of Valladolid, Spain, Dr. Abril is also a Clinical Professor at Case Western Reserve University. He has extensive expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, leading innovation in complex digestive procedures. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Abril has contributed to numerous international publications and conferences in the field of digestive and bariatric surgery.

Speaker
International Faculty

Dr. Daniel Guerron

Consultant general and bariatric surgeon

Consultant general and bariatric surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE.

He completed his medical school at the Pontificia Universidad CatĂłlica del Ecuador and his surgical training at Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship in MIS gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery at Duke University.

He is the director of the Hernia and Core Health Center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

As international speaker, He has published several original scientific articles and texts on hernia, laparoscopic, robotic and bariatric surgery.

Speaker
International Faculty

Dr. John H. Rodriguez

Chief of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Digestive Disease Institute

Dr. John H. Rodriguez, MD, is Interim Institute Chief of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Digestive Disease Institute.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Rodriguez spent 13 years at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in Cleveland, Ohio, US. Here, his work experience included Section Head of Surgical Endoscopy and Foregut Surgery, Director of the Center for Advanced Skills Training, and Surgical Director of the Gastroparesis Center.

Dr. Rodriguez obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. He received his medical training in the US, including a Research Fellowship at Emory University, where he focused on studying transplant virology. He joined Cleveland Clinic for General Surgery residency training as well as a fellowship in Flexible Surgical Endoscopy and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery.

Speaker
International Faculty

Dr. Sandy Van

Obesity Physician & Psychotherapist, Founder, Haven Weight Management

Dr. Sandy Van is a licensed Family Physician, Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and GP Psychotherapist. She is the founder and Medical Director of Haven Weight Management, a virtual medical clinic dedicated to comprehensive obesity care. She also serves as an Obesity Physician at MEDCAN, an executive health clinic in Toronto, Ontario.

Her practice blends medical management with psychotherapy tools, helping individuals achieve sustainable weight loss and long-term health. Dr. Van is recognized as a leading voice in behavioural and medical treatment for obesity, with a career that includes global speaking engagements, professional consultation for healthcare providers, and frequent appearances on national television and radio.

Her mission is to advance the field of obesity medicine by integrating evidence-based pharmacotherapy with psychological strategies—shaping a model of care that reduces stigma and creates lasting change for patients.