First Female Surgeon in U.S. to Perform Magnetic Duodenal Ileostomy
- martafit
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Dr. Christina Sanders, DO, MBA, CAQ-MBS, DABOM has achieved a historic milestone in metabolic and bariatric surgery by becoming the first female surgeon in the United States to perform the Magnetic Duodenal Ileostomy (MagDI™) procedure. Dr. Sanders successfully performed the first MagDI™ procedures in October 2025 at Erie County Medical Center, marking a significant advancement in minimally invasive weight-loss treatment.
The MagDI™ procedure represents a next-generation approach to bariatric intervention, utilizing FDA approved magnetic compression technology to create a controlled gastrointestinal anastomosis without the need for traditional surgical stapling or suturing. The procedure is performed by having the patient swallow a specialized magnet, which is then guided to a specific location with the gastrointestinal tract and joined with another magnet inserted via an endoscope. The paired magnets gradually approximate tissue, allowing a natural anastomosis to form overtime with reduced operative trauma. This innovative technique allows for a less invasive procedure with the potential for improved safety, faster recovery, and durable metabolic outcomes.
This milestone underscores the shared mission of the University at Buffalo and Erie County Medical Center to advance healthcare through innovation, education, and research, while expanding access to state-of-the-art treatments for obesity and metabolic disease.