Exclusive Interview with Dr. Jassim Fakhro VP of the Gulf Obesity Surgery Society and Co-Founder of Qatari Physicians at the View Hospital

I don't just change people’s shape; I give them a new life. That's why I tell my patients, 'Today is not just the date of your surgery. Today is your new birthday

What if you could have a second birthday? Not a celebration of age, but a celebration of a new beginning. In Qatar, Dr. Jassim Fakhro offers his patients just that: the ultimate luxury of a second chance! A distinguished senior consultant in general, metabolic, bariatric, and robotic surgery, Dr. Fakhro is a surgeon whose work extends far beyond the clinical. He is an architect of new lives, a restorer of hope, and a firm believer that the most profound transformations are born when medical precision meets human potential. As the vice president of the Gulf Obesity Surgery Society (GOSS) and co-founder of the Masters Medical Center, Dr. Fakhro represents the intersection of cutting-edge medical innovation and Qatar's vision for healthcare leadership.

Dr. Fakhro has granted Dunes Magazine an exclusive interview, in which he speaks about himself and the drive behind his calling. He also shares his thoughts on the synergy between human skill and artificial intelligence (AI), the cutting-edge innovations in the field, including a pioneering magnetic surgery technique, and the passions that fuel the man behind the surgical mask.

Obesity is not a condition; it's a chronic disease. My job is to give you a powerful tool and supervise you on how to use it to master your own health

1.     Dr. Fakhro, could you share a glimpse into the man behind the mask, both in and out of the operating room? Tell us about your journey and what has shaped you into the accomplished surgeon you are today.

Sure, I am Jassim Ahmed Alobaidan Fakhro, a normal individual, born in 1979 into a family where education was very important—perhaps even more so than the world of business that defined others in my family. My father, in particular, held education in the highest regard. My childhood was a typical one for the 1980s; I was a good student, though I admit to a touch of mischief, yet consistently found myself at the top of my class.

My professional path led me to become a surgeon specializing in general metabolic, bariatric, and robotic surgery. I graduated from Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain in 2003 and pursued my postgraduate training at Geneva University Hospital, where I earned a Master of Advanced Science and Visceral Surgery in 2014 with honors, followed by dual fellowships in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic Surgery. My return to Doha at the end of 2016 marked the end of nearly two decades abroad. I am also a proud husband and father to three daughters—my eldest embarking on her university journey this year.

2.      What inspired your journey into medicine, specifically into the surgery field?

Interestingly enough, becoming a doctor wasn't my childhood dream. As a young boy, I wanted to be a fireman or an ambulance driver. My aspirations always centered around helping people, but I never explicitly thought, "I will be a doctor." The decision to pursue medicine crystallized in my final year of secondary school, driven by a wish to study in Bahrain, my mother’s homeland and a country holding many of my fondest memories.

The common thread throughout my career choices has been a desire to make meaningful differences in people's lives. Bariatric surgery offered a unique opportunity to address a significant health challenge in our region while providing patients with transformative results. What draws me to this specialty is witnessing patients regain not just physical health but confidence and self-esteem. I always tell my patients that obesity is not a condition; it is a chronic disease, much like hypertension, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar. Surgery is not a definitive solution or treatment—it’s a tool. My role is to provide you with this tool and ensure you use it effectively to achieve lasting results.

Motivation is the key. When someone comes to my clinic, my first question is always why. Why do they want to lose weight? Understanding their “real” reasons is crucial, as it fuels the commitment needed for long-term success. I am not just treating a physical ailment; I am helping someone reclaim their confidence and build a better version of themselves.

3.     With over 5,000 surgeries performed, how do you maintain such intense focus? Could you walk us through the journey a patient takes with you?

The day I don’t have surgery scheduled, my mood dips. I thrive under the pressure and responsibility of the Operating Room (OR). For me, every single procedure feels like the first time I am performing it. I run through a meticulous mental checklist, just as a pilot does before takeoff. This standardization of every step ensures the highest level of safety and the best possible outcomes. There are no shortcuts.

Surgery is not the easy way out, as some might assume. Those who choose this path demonstrate immense willpower—facing anesthesia, undergoing surgery, and accepting the inherent risks, no matter how small. This level of determination surpasses what’s required to lose weight through diet and exercise.

The reward is immeasurable. I recently had a gentleman greet me, and I honestly couldn't recognize him until he spoke. I had operated on him nine months prior, and he had lost 70 kilograms. He was a completely new man, radiating pride and happiness.

These stories are why I do what I do. A woman who couldn't conceive for a decade called me in tears two months after her surgery because she was finally pregnant. A man was cured of a severe autoimmune skin disease (eczema) in just eight months after he had the surgery. These are the moments that are so deeply rewarding. I tell my patients on the day of their surgery, "Today is your new birthday." We are starting a new life together.

For me, surgery is not only a cure for obesity; it is a cure for a lot of diseases. According to many studies, obesity is responsible for more than 230 diseases and is a direct cause of 13 types of cancer.

AI is human-created, so it can't surpass us. To ignore it is to fall behind. AI won’t replace the surgeon, but it enhances our abilities in extraordinary ways

4.     As the first certified GI robotic surgeon in Qatar, how are you integrating AI into your practice, and what is your vision for this synergy between the surgeon's hand and the machine's mind?

AI is not a distant vision of the future—it’s an indispensable and trusted partner in the work we do today. To ignore it is to fall behind. AI won’t replace the surgeon, but it enhances our abilities in extraordinary ways. For instance, some of the devices I use, like our surgical staplers, are equipped with AI that measures the thickness of the tissue in real time. If the tissue is too thick for the staple size, the device will not fire. This removes subjective judgment and replaces it with objective, data-driven precision.

We also use AI to analyze surgical videos to identify “best practices” and create advanced training modules for next-generation surgeons. From drains that can predict complications before they happen to augmented reality that assists in complex procedures, AI is a layer of intelligence that makes surgery safer and more effective. We humans provide wisdom, while AI provides infallible precision.

5.     Looking further into the future, do you envision a day when AI could make diagnostic surgery obsolete? A device, perhaps, that could scan the body non-invasively and tell us everything we need to know? 

Nothing is impossible. If you had told someone in the 1990s that their entire life—their photos, finances, memories, and connections—would live inside a small glass rectangle in their pocket called a mobile phone, they would have thought it was science fiction. Yet, here we are. So, is a non-invasive diagnostic scanner possible? Yes. When it will arrive is another question. As long as the human mind is curious and driven to innovate, there is potential for everything. The real question is not if we can create such things, but how we choose to integrate them into our lives. Personally, I welcome these advancements with an open mind.

6.      Some express concern that AI could displace jobs within various industries. How do you view AI’s role in medicine and society at large?

It’s important to remember that AI is a creation of human ingenuity. As such, I believe it serves as a powerful tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them entirely. Our ability to adapt and evolve alongside these technological advancements is the real challenge. Rather than posing a threat, AI is an opportunity to expand what we can achieve. Humans always retain the capacity to innovate and create something more advanced.

7.     Innovation is transforming every field, and surgery is no exception. How do you see innovation shaping the future of surgical practice?

Innovation is truly the future of surgery. It’s about making the surgeon’s work more precise and safer while enhancing patient outcomes. My own journey in surgical innovation began early. In 2013, I became the first certified robotic surgeon for abdominal procedures in Qatar and performed the Middle East's first fully robotic gastric bypass—a milestone in our innovation journey. In 2022, I achieved another breakthrough by performing the region’s first robotic sleeve gastrectomy on a patient with Situs Inversus Totalis (SIT)—a rare condition where organ positions are mirrored.

Technology continues to captivate me. Just this year, in April 2025, XNY Medical honored me as the first surgeon worldwide to use their innovative surgical trocar equipped with a built-in camera. I believe this device will revolutionize abdominal access in surgery, making procedures even safer and more efficient.

8.     That dedication has led you to a truly revolutionary new field: Magnetic Surgery. You are the only surgeon in the entire MENA region performing this procedure. What is it, and why is it such a game-changer?

It is one of the most advanced techniques on the market, representing a paradigm shift. This cutting-edge technique uses magnets instead of traditional staplers or sutures to connect parts of the gastrointestinal system. For patients who regain weight after sleeve gastrectomy, the conventional next step—a gastric bypass—is irreversible and carries long-term consequences that often arise from patient non-compliance. Magnetic Surgery changes everything. It allows us to create a bypass without a single incision on the bowel, and without using any staples or sutures. If a patient faces issues or decides against the bypass effects after months or even years, the connection can be reversed without difficulty. This offers a level of safety and flexibility we've never had before.

9.     The concept sounds like something from science fiction. Could you walk us through how two magnets can perform surgery from inside the body?

The technique involves two specialized magnets. The patient first swallows a 4-centimeter magnet. After about three hours, an X-ray confirms its precise position in the small intestine. We accurately mark the target area for connection through small incisions, typically leaving about three meters of the small intestine for optimal function. Then, using an endoscope, I guide a second magnet through the mouth down to the stomach. Once aligned, these magnets connect, gently compressing the tissue between them. Over two to three weeks, the tissue between the magnets naturally dissolves, creating the desired opening or connection. Because no cutting or stitching is involved, risks like bleeding and leaks are dramatically reduced. The magnets are then safely passed out of the body through the patient’s digestive tract.

Worldwide, about 2,000 cases have been completed with magnetic surgery. I’m proud to be the first—and currently the only—surgeon performing this procedure throughout the MENA region. We also recently treated a rare case of Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Syndrome with this method—the fourth case ever worldwide and the first outside Canada. This exemplifies how innovation pushes the boundaries of medicine. It’s not about treating everyone the same, but about tailoring new ideas to unique challenges.

10.  It's clear you're not just performing these procedures but also inspiring the next generation. What is the core lesson about innovation you hope to impart to your fellows?

I always tell them to think outside the box and to understand that innovation serves both science and humanity—and that it's not wrong to be rewarded for that contribution. There’s a story about the Foley catheter, a simple device used millions of times daily worldwide. A surgeon saw a problem—catheters falling out—and conceived a brilliantly simple solution: an inflatable balloon at the tip. He solved a medical problem, and the device was named after him; his innovation paid him dividends. I encourage my fellows to follow that path: identify a problem, develop an idea, do the research, and take it from prototype to product. That is how medicine evolves.

11.  With such powerful technology comes profound ethical and even spiritual questions. How do you reconcile the rapid advancement of AI with faith? From an Islamic perspective, is there a line we shouldn't cross? 

I believe that technology is a tool, and its morality is defined by its use. Religion, particularly Islam, doesn't speak against technology itself; if it did, we wouldn't use smartphones or fly in airplanes. In fact, Islam embraces beneficial innovation that doesn't cause harm or contradict fundamental principles. Technology can actually enhance our ability to communicate and understand each other. So long as AI is used to heal, help, and improve life, it is more than welcome. It can even be a vehicle to reach and help people, which is a noble pursuit in any faith.

Having once been obese myself, food is my passion. My palate is my guide. I can taste a dish, identify its soul, and then fuse it with our own culture. It's another form of creative transformation

12.  Beyond the demanding world of the operating room, what does your lifestyle look like? How do you balance work with your personal interests?

Having been on the other side of the health journey—I was once obese—I have a profound appreciation for food, and cooking has become a true passion of mine. Living in Europe for over a decade exposed me to countless cuisines, and I love the challenge of tasting a dish, discerning its components, and then recreating it with a unique Qatari fusion. It’s a sort of culinary surgery!

Beyond the world of food, I am an avid collector of watches—to me, they are my babies, perfect microcosms of engineering and art, much like the human body. And, of course, there are cars, travel, and a passion for public speaking, using my social media platforms to raise awareness about health. These pursuits are not escapes; they are extensions of who I am—a person dedicated to appreciating and enhancing the art of a life well-lived. It all comes from the same place—a passion for improving lives, whether in the operating room or the community.

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