To clinicEvery year, the clinic performs over 1,500 surgeries for patients with obesity. Since 2010, the department has received the title of National Institute for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (INCO).
It is the main medical center in Italy for the treatment of obesity and related diseases. One of the main areas is performing reconstructive and revision surgeries for patients who have experienced complications from previous procedures.
Minimally invasive surgery
All bariatric procedures at San Donato are performed using minimally invasive techniques. This means that the abdominal cavity is not opened with a large incision to perform the surgery. Instead, all procedures are carried out through several punctures with a diameter of 4 mm.
Minimally invasive surgeries are performed using laparoscopic equipment or the Da Vinci robotic system.
During laparoscopy, the surgeon inserts several surgical instruments into the abdomen through small incisions. One of the instruments is an optical camera that displays the image on a screen. Thus, the anatomical integrity of the abdominal wall is not violated.
Robot-assisted surgery with the Da Vinci system represents the most advanced approach to minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon controls the robot’s arms while sitting at a special console. The Da Vinci robot system monitors the surgeon’s actions and processes them using its own computer system. Thanks to this, the surgeon’s actions are performed more accurately and safely. Robotic surgery allows for more complex operations to be performed in places that are inaccessible to the surgeon’s hands.
Advantages of minimally invasive surgeries:
- Low risk of bleeding and infection after surgery, adhesions;
- Rapid rehabilitation;
- Possibility of performing more complex surgical manipulations;
- Multidisciplinary team
Obesity treatment requires the participation of several specialists. At the National Institute for Obesity Treatment, each patient is cared for by a team of experts, including:
- Bariatric surgeons;
- Endocrinologists;
- Psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychotherapists;
- Rehabilitation specialists;
- Dietitians.
This comprehensive care model allows for the development of individualized treatment plans, minimizes the risk of complications, and accelerates recovery.
In addition to medical staff, the department also employs case managers and patient care coordinators. A case manager is a specially trained nurse who educates patients diagnosed with obesity and supports them through the treatment process.
Patient case managers assist patients at every stage of diagnosis and treatment, making their stay at the international clinic more comfortable and organized.
