Weight Loss /
Bariatric Surgery

I understand that talking about weight can be a very difficult conversation for those living with obesity and others close to them, and that people can often feel undermined and stigmatised by the public, the media and even health care professionals, when looking for help to manage their weight. For some surgery is a good option to help better manage their weight.

Surgery, currently the most clinically effective treatment for those living with severe obesity, aims to improve the quality of life, function and ability to combat weight related health problems such as type 2 diabetes. However before surgery is considered a comprehensive assessment of health, lifestyle and eating habits must be carried out. Alongside this it is also important to understand why someone might wish to have surgery with their hopes and expectations of what surgery might enable to be achieved taken into account. 

Understanding motivations and aims means open discussion around different treatment options for an individual can then take place. I offer the best clinically evidenced procedures in weight loss surgery, such as Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy and Adjustable Gastric Bands. Realistic and agreed expectations relating to outcome between the person having surgery and the surgical team are then a starting point for discussing treatment options, all of which will have their own specific pros and cons for any individual. Understanding side effects and possible complications as well as the likely benefits are really important to able the best quality decision being made at the outset.

Some people who have had surgery do experience side effects and difficulties afterward and I am also happy to see people who have had previous procedures elsewhere.  Where indicated I also offer revision surgery to correct previous surgery from which there has been a serious side effect or when the initial procedure is no longer effective.

High quality aftercare and follow ups after the surgery are key to the deliver the best possible outcomes and in my practice this is delivered through a team approach led by expert dieticians who work alongside me. I am delighted to be working with Denise Ratcliffe, Specialist Psychologist, and her team who will assess and support as part of the pre-operative assessment process and also during follow up aftercare. This follow up support is provided as a need identified by patients who have had surgical treatment and is often missing from the aftercare following surgery. I believe the aftercare we are able to offer is key to delivering the best outcome for my patients. 

 

Further information about the procedures themselves can be found in the patient information section of the BOMSS website at www.bomss.org and outcomes for all of my patients are entered onto the national bariatric surgery registry – click here to view