Several months after the sudden cessation of digestive surgery in an internal climate described as “deleterious”, the Sidobre Polyclinic in Castres announces the resumption of a strategic activity: bariatric surgery. The Castres establishment is organizing, on the occasion of World Obesity Day, an information evening open to the public, this Wednesday March 4, to mark this new start.
Last July, our columns reported a tense situation at the Sidobre clinic. Collective letter from staff, alerts on psychosocial risks, departure of several digestive surgeons… Since January 1, 2025, digestive surgery had ceased, representing nearly 30% of overall surgical activity. The management of the Castres establishment then spoke of an absence of practitioners and assured that no “loss of opportunity” had concerned the patients, who were referred to neighboring establishments.
Today, the speech is resolutely focused on the future, with the announcement of the arrival of Dr Marc Murat Çağ, digestive and visceral surgeon specializing in bariatric and metabolic surgery, the clinic is relaunching its obesity journey. “Obesity is a disease that can be treated. We want to give hope to patients,” underlines the practitioner, with more than twenty-five years of university hospital experience in France and abroad.
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The proposed treatment is in line with the recommendations of the High Authority of Health. It is based on comprehensive support, before and after the intervention: nutritional assessment, psychological assessment, respiratory monitoring, dietary and physiotherapy preparation. Several surgical techniques are being considered – sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion – some of which can be performed using robotic surgery.
The follow-up is announced “for life”. Objective: promote lasting weight loss and reduce associated comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea. The practitioner also wishes to set up a support network between operated patients and future candidates for surgery, in order to create a space for exchange and support.
“Very good news for our patients”
For Jean Fabre, director of the establishment, “the arrival of Dr Marc Murat Çağ is very good news for our patients”. Also a way of reassuring, after a period marked by a four-day strike in the fall of 2024 and persistent tensions.
This Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the clinic will open its doors to the public for a conference entitled “Obesity, a disease to fight together”. Patients will come and talk about their journey, before a time for discussion with the medical team. Participation is free, upon registration.
Objective: fight against obesity
In France, obesity affects nearly 17% of adults, or more than eight million people. Recognized as a chronic disease, it exposes you to numerous complications and an increased risk of certain cancers. “It’s neither a question of will nor of laziness,” insists the surgeon.
For the Castres clinic, this resumption of activity sounds like a symbol: that of a desire to revive, after difficult months. It now remains to convince patients and professionals that the page on internal tensions has indeed been turned.
