Prof. Dr. med., Dr. h.c. mult. Konrad Karcz

Prof. Karcz has built a long-standing clinical, scientific, and academic career in surgery, shaped by operative experience, scientific work, and the continuous advancement of modern treatment concepts. His professional path is characterized by the integration of surgical precision, scientific thinking, academic education, and the ongoing exploration of modern medical technologies.

His surgical foundation was established within the tradition of the Silesian school of surgery, particularly under the influence of Prof. Marian Pardela and Prof. Jerzy Piecuch. Additional professional inspiration was gained through collaboration and exchange with nationally and internationally recognized experts in general, visceral, bariatric, and plastic-reconstructive surgery, including Prof. Rudolf Weiner, Prof. Michel Gagner, Dr. Rui Ribeiro, Prof. Alper Celik, Prof. Robert Brolin, Prof. Ulrich Hopt, Prof. Tobias Keck, Prof. Janusz Sirek, Dr. Cornelius Salich, Dr. Richard Suliga, and Dr. Konrad Grambach.

Further academic and clinical appointments led Prof. Karcz to institutions including the University of Freiburg, the University of Lübeck, and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. He is currently affiliated with Nuremberg Hospital, where he supports the ongoing development of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery under the direction of Prof. Denis Ehrl, particularly in the fields of post-bariatric, body contouring, and reconstructive surgery.

Over many years, Prof. Karcz has focused intensively on the treatment of obesity, the various bariatric surgical procedures, and the complex physical and metabolic changes that occur following significant weight loss. This understanding forms an essential foundation for the careful planning of post-bariatric and body contouring procedures.

His clinical areas of focus include post-bariatric surgery, the treatment of excess skin and soft tissue following weight loss, the treatment of fat distribution disorders and lipedema, as well as reconstructive and function-oriented body lift procedures involving all relevant body regions.

His work is not solely focused on altering external body shape, but also on restoring mobility, skin health, body proportions, function, and quality of life. Drawing on his extensive experience in general, visceral, metabolic, and bariatric surgery, Prof. Karcz approaches patients after weight loss from a comprehensive medical perspective.

In addition to his surgical work, Prof. Karcz has been actively involved in research, teaching, and medical innovation for many years. His work includes digital and technology-assisted surgical concepts, including robotics, artificial intelligence, image-guided surgical planning, and translational medical engineering.

In this context, scientific collaborations and project partnerships exist with institutions including Delft University of Technology, the Technical University of Munich, the Silesian University of Technology, and AGH University in Krakow.

Complementing his medical and scientific career, Prof. Karcz has completed further education in management, leadership, and organizational development, including programs associated with the University of Economics in Katowice and the Harvard Medical School. This perspective shapes his understanding of modern medicine as a combination of clinical expertise, structured organization, responsible leadership, and patient-centered innovation.

Through his operative experience, Prof. Karcz combines precise surgical technique with modern, tissue-sparing surgical methods and an interdisciplinary perspective on patients following weight loss. At the center of his work is responsible, individualized, and realistic patient counseling, as well as careful surgical planning and postoperative care.

The goal is to achieve functional, harmonious, and long-term stable treatment outcomes — with particular emphasis on medical safety, the patient’s individual baseline condition, and personal treatment goals.

• DGCH
  German Society for Surgery
  Section for Minimally Invasive, Computer- and Telematics-Assisted Surgery (CTAC)
• IFSO
  International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
  Member Bylaws Committee (2012–2015)
• DGAV
  German Society for General and Visceral Surgery
  Surgical Working Group on Obesity Therapy and Metabolic Surgery (CAADIP), Founding Member (2007)
• iSMIT
  The International Society for Medical Innovation and Technology
  Member of the Steering Committee
• ISMR
  International Society for Medical Robotics