6Th World Congress of the International Federation for The
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Obesity Surgery, 11, 345-349 P R O G R A M 6th World Congress of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity (IFSO) 3rd International Symposium on Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery (ISLOS) 15th International Symposium on Obesity Surgery September 5-8th, 2001, Chania, Crete, Greece IFSO Organized by the Greek Society President: Andrew C.Jamieson for Bariatric Surgery Executive Director: Mervyn Deitel Organizing Secretariat: Past President :Emanuel Hell Mrs. Christina Kotsaki, President Elect: Martin Fried University General Hospital, Vice President: Aniceto Baltasar P.O.Box 1352, Secretary Treasurer: Arthur B.Garrido, Jr. Heraklion 71110, Honorary President: Nicola Scopinaro Crete, Greece Board of Trustees: George S.M.Cowan, Jr. Tel: +30-81-392387; Fax: +30-81-542090 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE 6th WORLDCONGRESS Crete was the cradle of the Minoan Civilization (2700-1100 BC), considered to be the most advanced ancient civilization in Europe. Religious, Magic and Empirical Medicine as well as Elementary Surgery and Dentistry were practiced during the Minoan period. Cretan therapists were using herbs as pharmaceutical agents to alle- viate war injuries and facilitate deliveries. In Crete one can find two of the most famous “Asclepeion" of Ancient Greece—that of Lebena in the South of the island and that of Lissos the west part of Crete. Patients from all over Crete, but also from Southern Greece and North Africa, were traveling to those Ancient Clinics to seek medical attention. Dear Friends, I have the pleasure and the honor to invite you to the 6th World Congress of IFSO on the island of Crete with its remarkable history of Medicine. The Congress will take place in the city of Chania, the second biggest but most beautiful town in Crete. The weather during September is ideal to combine scientific engagement with holidays and enjoy the beach, the nat- ural beauties and the archaeological sights of the island. During the Congress we will discuss all major issues related to antiobesity surgery.Leading experts from all over the world will be there to present their valuable experience. Two major conference rooms will be available for the oral presentation and the video sessions, and there will be a poster and medical exhibition. The Congress will take place in the Orthodox Academy of Crete, in Kolimbari, a village situated about 22 km from Chania, in the foot of a mountain and near the sea, where no one can disturb the stillness and quietness of the place. The welcome reception will take place in the port of the old town with the fantastic view of the Venetian light- house. A farewell Cretan night is also scheduled. I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to meet old friends here and make new ones. I look forward to welcoming you in Crete. John Melissas President of the Congress ©FD-Communications Inc. Obesity Surgery,11, 2001 345 BRING THIS PROGRAM ISSUE WITH YOU TO CRETE The IFSO program portion with the abstracts in this issue is sponsored by BioEnterics Corporation GENERAL INFORMA TION Venue Orthodox Academy of Crete, Chania Crete, Greece, September 5-8, 2001. A bus shuttle service will provide connection with the congress hotels. Official Language: English Currency Greek Drachmas (GRD) Exchange rates:1 U.S.$ ±400 Grd (indicative;check with your bank for current rate), 1 Euro ±340 Grd. Credit Cards—Exchange Credit Cards are widely accepted at department stores, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Currency can be exchanged at your hotel, travel agent or other tourist offices operating in the city, as well as banks. Insurance The Organizers cannot accept responsibility for accidents which might occur.Delegates are encouraged to obtain travel insurance (medical, personal accident, and luggage), in their home country. Electrical Appliances Greece operates on 220 volts for electrical appliances. The frequency is 50Hz. Bank—Shops The business hour of most department stores are from 08.30 to 20.30. They are open on weekdays and Saturdays but closed on Sundays and National holidays. Banks are open from 08.00-2.00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 08.00 to 01.30 on Fridays. Transportation Buses are available for nearly all destinations from Chania. If you need a taxi from Congress Hotels, please call 98700 and 87700 (use 0821 when calling from a mobile phone, followed by the telephone number). From the Conference Hall call a taxi at (0824) 23322.22230.22140 or 22333. Useful telephones: Chania General Hospital: (0821) 22000, Police 100, Airport:(0821) 63224. Weather and Clothing The weather in Crete is ideal during September. It is neither too hot nor windy and autumn is still far to come. Rain is extremely unusual for this time of the year in Chania. Sea water is ideal for swimming. Day temperature ranges from 24o to 32oC (75o - 89o F).Nevertheless, you could bring a sweater with you in case of chilly nights. How to get to Chania You can reach Chania by two different means of transportation:) by plane (preferably) and by boat. There are flights every day from Athens by Olympic Airways, Aegean Airlines and Cronus Airlines.The trip lasts approximately 40 min. Taxi fare from the airport to the Congress Hotels and/or to the Conference Hall is about Grd 8.000-10.000, depending on the distance.However, a welcome desk will be set at Chania Airport by the organizers, during the Meeting, and transportation from the Airport to the Hotel of your choice and to the Conference Hall and vice versa can be pre- arranged for those interested in this service. Website: http://www.obesity-online.com/ifso 2001 SOCIAL PROGRAM Wednesday September 5: Welcome Reception at Chania in the port of the Old Town,after the opening ceremony (cocktail and buffet dinner)Bus transfer from the Congress Hotels. Friday September 7 evening: Gala dinner, Cretan night with traditional Greek cuisine.Bus transfer from the Congress Hotels. 346 Obesity Surgery,11, 2001 IMPORTANT DATES September 5 0900-1200 hrs — Allied Health Session 1300-1730 hrs — 3rd ISLOS 2000 hrs — Welcome Reception and Buffet in the port of the Old Town of Chania September 6-8 6th World Congress of IFSO, 15th International Symposium on Obesity Surgery September 7 2030 hrs.— Gala Dinner, “Metoxi”Restaurant, Cretan night and cuisine CONGRESS OPTIONAL TOURS 1. City Tour of Chania: Visit to the town’s most beautiful spots and sights.The Cathedral, the historic Monastery of St.T riada, the Hamam, the Arsenal, the Public Market and the Synagogue are only few of the sites you will be seeing. Price:11.000 GRD Wed., Sept. 5; 0800-1400 hrs. 2. Samaria Gorge (lazy way): Enjoy the unique scenery of the longest gorge in Europe, and a swim in the crystal waters of the Libyan Sea. Visit to “Sfakia”village where the gorge comes to an end. Then an easy walk of about one hour will allow you to see a big part of the Gorge. Price:15.000 GRD (entrance fees and boat are included). Thurs., Sept. 6 (lazy way);0700-1600 hrs. 3. Knossos—Archaeological Museum of Heraklion: Experience power and the vitality of the era of the worldwide known Minoan civilization and witness the complexity of the Minoans’lifestyle. Visit one of the most important museums in the world where original pieces from the Neolithic, Minoan and Greco-Roman periods are exposed. Price:18.500 GRD (entrance fees to Knossos and the museum are included). Fri., Sept. 7; 0700-1600 hrs. POST-CONGRESS TOURS* 1. Samaria Gorge: Experience the stunning drive through the White Mountains to the Plateau of Omalos, the unspoilt scenery, rare flora and the caves on the rugged mountain sides as well as the rare goat “Kri-Kri”. Price:14.500 GRD 2. Santorini: Magical trip to an island of exceptional geological structure, which is the result of the eruptions of an now inactive volcano. You will visit ancient “Thira”, you willl see the most beautiful sunset in “Oia”, you will swim in the crystal waters of the warm sea and sunbathe on the red and black beaches with shingle. Price:32.000 GRD (includes:transfers, boat fares, one night stay in **Hotel, excurison with guide). 3. Cretan Villages Tour: During this you will visit the Red Village where you will have the chance to see the procedure of making Physic Glass.The next stop will be “Argyroupoli”town where you will see the natural waterfalls, and after that the beautiful lae of “Kournas”and the village of “Vrisses”known for its honey and cheese products.Lastly , you will experience the original procedure of winemaking in a local winery. Price:12.500 GRD 4. Elafonissi: A tour of one of the most beautiful places in Crete, an island on the southwestern part of Crete. The coralline sand and the magnificent scenery offer the visitor a very special experience. On the way to Elafonissi you will stop at Elos village, a place full of chestnut trees, and at the Chrissoskalitissa Monastery.On the way back to Chania you will visit the church of St.Sofia which is built in a cave with stalactites and stalagmites. Price:10.600 GRD. * Post-Congress Tours will be arranged during the Meeting .Please contact the Congress Secretariat for inquiries and to make all the necessary arrangements. Obesity Surgery,11, 2001 347 CONGRESS The congress will consist of plenary sessions and a permanent poster exhibit. An Award for the best Poster will be given. Presentations will be oral and/or video. The Authors will be given a presentation time, and they will be free of sharing between the oral and video part, without in any case exceeding the total time assigned .