Application requirements
The call for applications for the IFSO LAC Fellowship Program, starting in March 2027, is now open. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2026.
- Specialist Title in General Surgery: Submit a digital copy of your specialist title.
- Nationality: Be a citizen of a Latin American country or Spain.
- Age: Be under 40 years of age at the time of application.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation from surgeons who are members of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Society of your country.
- Dedication: Be available to complete the Fellowship for one year, full-time and with exclusive dedication.
- Commitment to the General Surgery Society: Submit a letter of commitment to become a member of the General Surgery Society of your country, if you are not already a member at the time of application.
- Commitment to the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Society: Submit a letter of commitment to become a member of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Society of your country, if you are not already a member at the time of application. Statement of
- Purpose: Submit a letter outlining your reasons for undertaking the Fellowship and the professional and academic objectives you hope to achieve.
- Curriculum Vitae: Submit an updated CV, including a photograph, using the attached IFSO LAC official format.
- Ethical and Legal Background: No final convictions in the judicial sphere or final sanctions in the ethical-professional sphere.
- Teamwork: Demonstrate willingness and ability to work as part of a team.
- Research Training: A diploma in research is desirable but not mandatory.
- Languages: Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese and an intermediate level of English are required.
- Remuneration: The Fellowship Program does not offer financial compensation to participants.
- Scholarships: IFSO LAC does not offer scholarships for the Fellowship.
Requirements for the accreditation of new training centers in bariatric and metabolic surgery by IFSO LAC
- Institutional Certification: Be a hospital center authorized and certified by the competent health authority of the corresponding country.
- Interdisciplinary Team: Demonstrate the existence of an interdisciplinary team comprised of professionals affiliated with the National Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.
- Surgical Volume: Perform more than 150 bariatric and metabolic surgery procedures per year per Fellow in training.
- Academic Program: Have a structured academic program or curriculum that includes the training activities corresponding to the entire year of training.
- Care Protocols: Have established protocols and algorithms for the evaluation and management of patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Patient Follow-up: Have a system for registering and monitoring patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery within the program.
- Endoscopy Service: Have an Endoscopy Service that allows for the practical training of Fellows in this area.
- Continuity of training: Submit an institutional letter of commitment guaranteeing the continuity of the Fellowship Program until the completion of the training period for Fellows who have already begun.
- University endorsement: Obtain formal academic endorsement from a local or regional university for the development of the Fellowship Program.
- Center certification: Hold IFSO LAC certification for training in bariatric and metabolic surgery.
- Certification of those responsible: The surgeons responsible for the training programs must hold IFSO LAC certification.
- Periodic reports: Commit to submitting semi-annual reports on the progress and development of the Fellowship Program.
- Audits: Agree to periodic on-site audits.
- Free training: Commit to not charging Fellows for their participation in the training program.
- Commercial independence: Not maintain exclusivity agreements with a single company or corporation supplying medical supplies.
- Application for accreditation: submit a formal letter of application addressed to the Executive Council of IFSO LAC, in which compliance with the established requirements is demonstrated and the number of Fellows requested to be incorporated into the program is specified.
