Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery, Nutrition and Exercise
Inter-Institutional Postgraduate Program: “Clinical Exercise and Applications of Technology in Health”
of the Department of Physical Education and Sport of the School of Physical Education and Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with the National Center for Science Research “DEMOKRITOS” – The Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT)
Round Table
Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery, Nutrition and Exercise
Date: Saturday 16th May 2026
Time: 17.15 – 19.15
Venue: Small Amphitheater
Chair:
Helen Douda, Professor, D.P.E.S.S., Democritus University of Thrace
Director of the Inter-institutional Postgraduate Program: “Clinical Exercise and Applications of Technology in Health”
Konstantinos Volaklis, Associate Professor, D.P.E.S.S, Democritus University of Thrace
Speakers:
Ilias Sdralis, General Surgeon, Director of Bariatric & Metabolic Disorders Surgery Department of Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki
Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery in Morbid Obesity
Marilena Giannakopoulou, Clinical Dietician, Bariatric & Metabolic Disorders Surgery Department of Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki
Nutritional support of the bariatric patient
Marianna Tsatali, Clinical Psychologist specializing in Bariatric Care, Scientific Collaborator of the Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Diseases Surgery Clinic, Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki
Holistic psychological approach and support before and after bariatric surgery
Alexios Batrakoulis, PhD, CSCS, ACSM-EP, FACSM, Assistant Professor of Applied and Clinical Exercise Physiology, School of Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
The role of exercise in bariatric-metabolic surgery
Thaleia Bellali, Professor, Department of Nursing, International Hellenic University / Adjunct Professor, Department of Health Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus
From Compliance to Adherence: The Interdisciplinary Management of Obesity through the Biopsychosocial Model of Health
Abstract:
In the present roundtable, the modern scientific developments in the field of bariatric surgery will be discussed, which constitutes the treatment of choice for patients with morbid obesity. Based on recent scientific data, maintaining a good postoperative outcome requires interdisciplinary follow-up of the patient after surgery in order to sustain weight loss and reduce the risk of lean body mass loss. The dietary guidelines provided to patients, as well as the exercise instructions and protocols applied both pre- and post-operatively, will be presented and discussed. Particular emphasis is also placed on the distinction between compliance and adherence to therapeutic recommendations, as adherence does not involve the passive acceptance of instructions but rather the active participation of the individual with obesity in decision-making, the co-creation of achievable goals, and the joint agreement on an intervention plan that reflects their needs, capacities, and priorities. From this perspective, the therapeutic alliance is substantially strengthened, creating more favorable conditions for the long-term maintenance of lifestyle changes. In this light, it is argued that an interdisciplinary, rather than merely multidisciplinary team, constitutes the most appropriate and effective approach for the management of morbid obesity.