About us
Our specialists
The WeightWorks specialists are fully dedicated to weightloss surgery and the treatment of overweight. Together, Dr. Edo Aarts, Dr. Frits Berends, Dr. Kevin Göttgens, Dr. Gabor Abis and Dr. Thomas Vermeer have performed more than ten thousand gastric reduction surgeries and guided many more people to a healthy weight. In addition, they publish many scientific articles about weightloss surgery. The WeightWorks clinic is specially built and equipped for this type of surgery. Together with the Weightworks team, they ensure that you receive the very best treatment and aftercare.

Dr. Frits Berends
Dr. Frits Berends has been a gastrointestinal surgeon since 1999. He obtained his PhD on the subject of 'exploratory operations for solid abdominal organs' (‘kijkoperaties voor solide buikorganen’). In 2004, he and Dr. Ignace Janssen started the Vitalys clinic for gastric reductions in Arnhem. In Arnhem he was involved in the introduction of the laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Netherlands. Since then he has performed many thousands of weightloss procedures. He was responsible for a number of adjustments to the technique of gastric bypass surgery, which have now been adopted by many surgeons in The Netherlands and around the world.
Overweight and obesity are perhaps the most important chronic diseases of the moment. It surprises me that many people and doctors still see obesity as a lifestyle choice that can be solved with enough healthy choices and perseverance. That's really nonsense. Once you reach a certain weight, it is almost impossible to get it off without help.
Weightloss surgery is safe to perform and gives a lot of results. I enjoy seeing how patients, after years of fighting against the kilograms, suddenly get a much nicer and healthier life. It is nice to be able to contribute to that.”
He was also in charge of all scientific research into various aspects of weightloss surgery. Partly under his leadership, the weightloss surgery clinic in Arnhem grew into the largest in the Netherlands. Dr. Berends was a board member of the Scientific Society of Obesity Surgeons (DSMBS) and chair of the committee to revise the Guideline for Surgical Treatment of Obesity, published in 2020. At WeightWorks, all his previous experiences come together in a proprietary treatment path that is completely geared towards successful weight loss.

Dr. Edo Aarts
Dr. Edo Aarts was captivated early in his training as a surgeon by all that is involved in gastric reduction surgery. Together with Dr. Frits Berends and Dr. Ignace Janssen, he set up a research department for gastric surgery at Rijnstate in Arnhem in 2007, which he supervised until 2018. Not surprisingly, he also obtained his PhD on that subject in 2014. Dr. Aarts has gained extensive experience in gastric reduction surgery at The Rijnstate Hospital. He has done a lot of scientific research with numerous publications and is a frequent speaker at international conferences. So in 2020 he joined the editorial board of the leading scientific journal 'Obesity Surgery'.
I believe that as a doctor you can only provide really good care if you specialize in one disease. People who do everything to get rid of their excess weight have been dear to my heart for many years because I know how difficult it is for them. Those people deserve my full attention and help!
Since 2008, he has been involved in the development of special multivitamins for people with gastric bypass surgery and has researched many formulations. In addition to his surgical experience, Dr. Aarts helps many people every year on their way to a healthier weight with a swallowable gastric balloon through the Allurion clinic. Dr. Aarts has extensive experience counseling people who are overweight. He combines that experience with his extensive scientific knowledge and surgical skill. All of this contributes to the special experience at WeightWorks.

Dr. Kevin Göttgens
Dr. Kevin Göttgens trained as a gastrointestinal surgeon at Maastricht University Medical Center and Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven. At the Catharina Hospital he was fully trained as a gastrointestinal surgeon and also specifically in weightloss surgery. After his training he worked for two years at the ETZ in Tilburg and then another three years at the Maxima Medical Center in Veldhoven/Eindhoven. Here he further expanded his experience with weightloss surgery. Since January 2023, he has been happy to strengthen the team at WeightWorks.
One of the biggest medical problems in our society today is overweight and obesity. This disease has a huge impact on health. That is why its prevention and treatment is so important. We see patients lose weight and recover quickly after years of health problems due to our treatments. It is special to see how happy we can make our patients.
He also has extensive experience in scientific research and holds a PhD in gastrointestinal surgery. Through his work in various centers he has learned and performed many forms and variants of weightloss procedures. He applies all this knowledge and expertise in the treatment and guidance of overweight patients at WeightWorks.

Dr. Gabor Abis
Dr. Gabor Abis was interested in keyhole surgery for problems in the abdomen even before his training as a surgeon and continued to specialize in this during his training, and thereafter. He did his training at the VU Medical Center in Amsterdam and the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem/Hoofddorp. In addition to his work at Weightworks, Dr. Abis serves as a gastrointestinal and oncology surgeon at Meander Medical Center in Amersfoort.
I think it's great to be able to contribute to achieving a healthy weight and more joy in life for people who have often been trying everything for years to get that done. Weightloss surgery using laparoscopy is the best and most effective way to achieve this in a safe way.
In the Spaarne Gasthuis he has gained extensive experience with weightloss procedures that he can now apply to patients at Weightworks.

Dr. Thomas Vermeer
Dr. Thomas Vermeer trained as a gastrointestinal surgeon at Maastricht University Medical Center and Zuyderland Hospital in Sittard/Heerlen. The foundation of his career was laid at the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven where he gained much scientific experience and where he also completed his doctoral studies. At Zuyderland, he completed his training as a gastrointestinal surgeon with specific focus on gastric reduction surgery.
Overweight and obesity is one of the greatest challenges of our society today. The impact on health care and quality of life is enormous. Surgical treatment of obesity contributes enormously to the prevention of short- and long-term health problems and has a positive effect on quality of life. By specializing in the treatment of one disease, we are able to provide the best care to our patients. My passion for operating and treating patients through laparoscopic surgery aligns perfectly with this.
After his training, he worked as a surgeon at Zuyderland Hospital for another year and at Maxima Medisch Centrum Veldhoven/Eindhoven for 1.5 years. Here he further expanded his experience in gastric reduction surgery. He joined the team at Weight Works in October 2023.
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