17^th Thematic Seminar of the Postgraduate Program: “Clinical Exercise and Applications of Technology in Health”

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of the School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Occupational Therapy of Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with the National Center for Science Research “DEMOKRITOS” – The Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT)

Psychological support and design of exercise programs before and after bariatric surgery in morbid obesity

Workshop Director:

Helen Douda, Professor D.P.E.S.S. – D.U.Th.

Director of the Postgraduate Program “Clinical Exercise and Applications of Technology in Health”

Coordinator:

Styliani Karakiriou,  Specialized Teaching Staff D.P.E.S.S. – D.U.Th.

Description

Bariatric and metabolic surgery is one of the most effective interventions for the treatment of morbid obesity and its associated metabolic disorders. However, its long-term success largely depends on the adoption of a comprehensive therapeutic approach that includes psychological support for individuals with obesity, as well as the implementation of sustainable lifestyle changes. Within this framework, physical exercise plays a pivotal role in both preoperative preparation and postoperative recovery. This seminar will present strategies for psychological support, along with key principles for designing safe and effective exercise programs before and after bariatric surgery for the management of morbid obesity.

Speakers:

Marianna Tsatali, Clinical Psychologist specializing in Bariatric Care, Scientific Collaborator of the Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Diseases Surgery Clinic, Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki

Psychological support before and after bariatric surgery

Vasileios Xyrafopoulos, MSc, Physical Education Teacher, Exercise and Health Specialist, Scientific Collaborator of the Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Diseases Surgery Clinic, Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki

Design of safe exercise programs before and after bariatric surgery

Practical Application:

Eleni Kati, Scientific Collaborator of the Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Diseases Surgery Clinic, Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki

Ioannis Papadopoulos, Scientific Collaborator of the Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Diseases Surgery Clinic, Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki

Speakers CV’s

Marianna Tsatali graduated from the Department of Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Medical Psychology and the Management of Chronic Pain at the Medical School of the University of Ioannina. In 2018, she was awarded her PhD in Psychology from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. She is a psychotherapist specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Additionally, she has participated in the postgraduate program in Nutritional Psychology and is a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity, certified by the Center for Education and Treatment of Eating Disorders (KEADD), in collaboration with the National Centre for Eating Disorders (NCFED), UK. Currently, she collaborates with the Psychologist at the Department of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders at the Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki. In addition, she is a research fellow at the Network Ageing Research of Heidelberg University and at Ain Shams University Hospital in Cairo. She has published more than 50 articles in international scientific journals and has presented over 70 papers at international and European conferences.

Vasileios Xyrafopoulos is an Exercise Specialist and Scientific Associate at the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Clinic of the Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport Science from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master of Science in Clinical Exercise and Applications of Technology in Health, a joint program of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of the School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Occupational Therapy of Democritus University of Thrace in collaboration with the National Center for Science Research “DEMOKRITOS” – The Institute of Informatics and Telecommunications (IIT). His professional expertise focuses on the design, implementation, and evaluation of individualized exercise programs for individuals with metabolic, musculoskeletal, and other chronic conditions. He has extensive experience in weight management through targeted physical activity and has collaborated with private fitness centers, sports clubs, and academic institutions in Greece and abroad. He has presented scientific work and delivered lectures at conferences in the fields of physical education, clinical exercise, and fitness across Europe, contributing to the dissemination of evidence-based knowledge in exercise and health sciences. His scientific and clinical interests are centered on the personalized adaptation of exercise for prevention, rehabilitation, and quality-of-life enhancement. Notably, his clinical expertise includes supporting patients before and after bariatric surgery through individualized physical activity programs aimed at improving functional capacity, metabolic outcomes, and long-term health.