Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard Prager

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhard Prager is University Professor of Bariatric Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna and one of Europe’s most renowned obesity surgeons. As former World President of the IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders), he has played a leading role in shaping the global standards of bariatric and metabolic surgery; he presided over the IFSO World Congress with more than 4,000 participants from 72 countries.

He studied medicine at the University of Vienna, graduating in the 1990s, and began his surgical training at the Medical University of Vienna, where he developed an early interest in minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques. His commitment to improving the health and quality of life of patients with obesity and gastrointestinal diseases has guided his entire professional path.

Since 2004 he has headed the Obesity Outpatient Clinic at Vienna General Hospital (AKH), treating patients from Austria and abroad. His expertise spans the full range of modern bariatric surgery – from gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy to one-anastomosis (omega-loop) bypass, SADI-S and complex revisional procedures – as well as endocrine and gastrointestinal surgery.

• 1992 – Doctor of Medicine (Dr. med. univ.), Medical University of Vienna
• 1999 – Board-certified Surgeon
• 2003 – Habilitation; Senior Consultant, Vienna General Hospital (AKH)
• 2004 – Head of the Obesity Outpatient Clinic, AKH Vienna
• 2018 – President, IFSO European Chapter
• 2021 – University Professor of Bariatric Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
• 2023/2024 – World President of the IFSO
• Today – Immediate Past President of the IFSO

Prof. Prager’s scientific work has focused on metabolic regulation, hormonal mechanisms in obesity, and long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery. He has published extensively in leading medical journals and has been a keynote speaker at numerous international conferences.

A founding member of several European bariatric surgery associations, he has helped develop guidelines for obesity treatment and multidisciplinary patient care. Known for his surgical precision, academic excellence, and empathetic approach, Prof. Prager continues to advance modern metabolic and gastrointestinal surgery, helping patients achieve lasting health improvements through innovative and individualized care.

With more than 9,900 procedures performed, over 435 scientific publications and the training of surgeons from more than 50 countries, Prof. Prager combines scientific excellence with individual, compassionate patient care at the highest international level.