Our Weight Loss Surgery Experts

The Streamline Surgical weight loss surgery team is made up of surgeons, physicians, anaesthetists, dieticians, psychotherapists, specialist nurses and numerous other support staff. The surgeons and the rest of the team have unrivalled expertise and experience gained from performing thousands of bariatric operations. Our team of surgeons includes Shaw Somers and Guy Slater, NHS consultant surgeons specialising in upper gastrointestinal surgery. They also both appear in Discovery Home and Health’s ‘Fat Doctor’, the bariatric surgeons who battles to help the nation’s morbidly obese lose weight. Shaw Somers, Guy Slater and their team work together to provide the best level of care possible, looking after patients with care and compassion.

Based at a range of locations across the South of England, our team are very well placed to help you to achieve the results that you are looking for, whatever your goal may be.

Surgeons

Shaw Somers – Consultant Surgeon

Shaw is a specialist upper gastrointestinal and bariatric (metabolic) surgeon with over 14 years consultant experience. His surgical expertise has developed through an impressive caseload, and has evolved into specialised care of complex upper GI patients, including the management of bariatric-metabolic surgery. His early involvement in the latter field has gained him a rare position as a National expert.

Shaw is an expert in weight loss surgery and has performed over 4000 major abdominal procedures including oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery, complex anti-reflux surgery, complex bariatric-metabolic surgery and general abdominal keyhole surgery.

Shaw has served as an elected Council member for his speciality professional bodies – the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery (2003-2006) and the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (2007-2010). Shaw Teaches at the Royal College of Surgeons and is an active member of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Over the last five years, Shaw has expanded his practice into central London, and assists the training of new specialist colleagues and the development of new NHS centres for specialised services.

Shaw has an active speaking profile both in the UK and internationally. He presents lectures to professional bodies, and also to patient groups and the public on a range of issues within his expertise.

www.shawsomers.com

Guy Slater – Consultant Surgeon

Guy was appointed as an NHS consultant surgeon in 2004, specialising in laparoscopic gastro-intestinal surgery and weight loss surgery. His NHS practice is at St. Richard’s Hospital, Chichester. He practices privately in Chichester, Guildford and London.

Guy started the St Richard’s Hospital Bariatric Surgery Unit in 2006, rapid growth followed until the unit was performing over 500 procedures a year. Guy has completed over 1200 bariatric procedures. Much of his time is now spent concentrating on the most difficult revision operations.

In addition to bariatric surgery, Guy specialises in laparoscopic upper gastro-intestinal surgery including gallbladder surgery, anti-reflux surgery and hernia surgery. He has completed thousands of these procedures.

Guy is a regional member of the Morbid Obesity Surgery Clinical Reference Group, which advises NHS England, The National Commissioning Agency, on bariatric or metabolic surgery.

Guy has a research interest in bariatric surgery and has published many papers on the subject. He is often invited to talk to patients groups and colleagues about bariatric surgery. He has appeared in TV and radio programs including Fat boy to Slim, Embarrassing Bodies, the Fat Doctors and Dr Mark Porter’s case notes on radio 4.

www.guyslater.com

Chris Pring – Consultant Surgeon

Professor Chris Pring is a specialist laparoscopic (key-hole), upper GI and bariatric (weight loss) surgeon. He has been an NHS Consultant Surgeon since 2008.

Chris performs over 350 laparoscopic procedures each year. The range of these operations includes:

hernia surgery
the treatment of gallstones
surgery for acid reflux
primary and complex bariatric surgery
general abdominal procedures.
esophagogastric endoscopy.

Chris is a recognised trainer of laparoscopic and bariatric surgery for the NHS. He runs a number of successful programmes for surgeons in training.

He is an active member of the specialty associations for laparoscopic and bariatric surgery – The Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons (ALS), The Association of Upper GI Surgeons (AUGIS), The British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) and The International Federation for Surgery of Obesity (IFSO). He is often invited to present and lecture to other healthcare professionals and patient groups on aspects of laparoscopic and bariatric surgery.

Chris is frequently invited to appear, or pass comment, as the ‘expert’ on a number of TV shows across the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky channels as well as on the radio and in the international and regional newspapers.
www.chrispring.com

Nick Carter – Consultant Surgeon

In addition to general surgery Nick specialises in obesity and metabolic surgery, biliary (gallstone) surgery, anti-reflux (hiatus hernia) surgery and hernia surgery.

Nick started off his training in London before moving to the South West and then finally to Dorset and Hampshire for his Specialist Higher Surgical Training. During this time Nick spent two and half years in South Africa working in trauma and General Surgery units and completed his Masters in Surgical Science at Imperial College in London. Following a Fellowship in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at University College Hospital, London, Nick was appointed as an NHS consultant at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.

Nick is often invited to appear, as the ‘expert’ on a number of TV shows across the BBC and Channel 4 programmes. He’s most recent appearing being on the Channel 4’s second series of Shut-Ins: Britain’s Fattest People.

www.nickcartersurgeon.co.uk

Ben Knight – Consultant Surgeon

Mr Ben Knight was appointed as an NHS consultant surgeon at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth in 2014. Mr Knight specialises in laparoscopic Oesophago-gastric and Bariatric surgery. Having graduated from Manchester medical school in 2002, he completed his surgical training in the north west of England and then completed almost 2 more years as the post graduate surgical fellow in Adelaide, Australia.

His surgical interests include gastric and oesophageal cancer surgery, laparoscopic anti-obesity surgery (Bariatrics) and performs gastric band, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery. All of his outcomes are published on both the national oesophago-gastric cancer database and national bariatric database.

He has a specialist interest in anti-reflux surgery (hiatus hernia) including novel techniques, groin and abdominal wall herniasurgery, biliary (gallstone) surgery as well as diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He is validated with the General Medical Council and is a member of the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons, England.

He has an academic interest in Barrett’s Oesophagus and Oesophago-gastric cancer and has authored book chapters and published studies in this area. His role as deputy surgical tutor fulfils his interest in teaching and education.

Ali Alhamdani – Consultant Surgeon

Mr Alhamdani was awarded his medical degree at the University of Baghdad 1996. He has had extensive training in laparoscopic (keyhole) surgical techniques in the UK, Europe and America and has performed over 2000 procedures to date. He currently carries out approximately 100 laparoscopic gallbladder procedures per year. He is one of the pioneers in utilizing the new technique STRETTA, minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) without surgery.

Mr Alhamdani’s training in bariatric surgery conforms with the criteria required by The British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) demonstrated by his fellowship in weight loss surgery in Sunderland, UK . He provides the full range of bariatric surgery procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy and revisional bariatric surgery. He performs approximately 100 weight loss procedures per year.

Mr Alhamdani current research work involves studying the physical and psychological impact of weight loss surgery. He has subsequently published extensively in the scientific literature and has presented at national and international meeting.

John Loy – Consultant Surgeon

Mr John Loy is an experienced Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon based at the Homerton University Hospital in Central London. He has been trained to Royal College of Surgeon’s Fellowship level in Bariatric Surgery and spent a year in the world-renowned NYU Langone Medical Centre with Professors George and Christine Fielding in the USA.

John operates a busy full-time NHS weight loss surgery practice, receiving referrals for primary and complex revisional surgery in London’s busiest bariatric surgery unit. His NHS practice is almost exclusively performing weight loss surgery and he prides himself on a personalised approach to each of his patients.

John is the surgical teaching coordinator for Queen Mary University Barts and the London medical students at the Homerton University Hospital and a collaborates on research into fatty liver disease in obesity with the Blizzard Institute. He is a GMC accredited trainer for junior surgeons and sits on the National selection panel for trainee surgeons.

John regularly appears in the media regarding weight loss surgery and is involved in training and assessing surgical doctors to perform bariatric surgery. Patients appreciate his friendly and approachable manner ensuring the best outcomes for those who come under his care.

Aruna Munasinghe – Consultant Surgeon

Mr Aruna Munasinghe graduated from Guy’s & St Thomas’s Hospital, London, in 2001 and has trained in several flagship units throughout London, the South East and West Midlands. At the end of his training he undertook a Specialist Bariatric Fellowship at St George’s Hospital, London.

His NHS Base it at Luton & Dunstable Hospital, which is one of the highest volume Bariatric Centers in the UK. He is an enthusiast in all aspects of minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery and performs a wide range of procedures. Most of Mr Munasinghe’s work is related to Obesity Surgery, and he is experienced in both primary and revision (redo) procedures. His other areas of surgical expertise are in surgery for gallstones, hernias and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He is currently developing novel anti-reflux procedures in his NHS practice.

As an experienced surgeon, Mr Munasinghe is one of the national trainers in Bariatric Surgery and an accredited trainer in Endoscopy. His research interests are in surgical outcomes and he has presented and published his work at several national and international meetings.

Lee Humphreys – Consultant Surgeon

Mr Lee Humphreys is a Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon at Derriford Hospital Plymouth where he is the clinical lead for Bariatric Surgery. He was appointed as a Consultant in 2014 after completing an ANSGOSA accredited Bariatric fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand.

Lee has worked closely with the local commissioners in Devon to grow the unit in Derriford which now receives referrals from across Devon. He performs both primary and revisional bariatric surgery. Lee runs grand rounds for medical students at Plymouth medical school on the topic of obesity and in particular tackling the stereotypes and stigma often faced by obese patients. Lee also appears regularly on the ARCP assessment panel for higher surgical trainees.

Lee is also a Senior Racecourse Medical Officer at Cheltenham Racecourse where he provides trauma care for Jockeys and is an enthusiastic landscape photographer.

Rehan Haidry – Consultant Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist

Dr. Rehan Haidry is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist at University College Hospital, London and practices privately at The London Clinic. He trained at St Mary’s Hospital in London and completed his Specialist Gastroenterology training in North East London. He was then appointed to a two-year academic fellowship at UCL where he examined state of the art and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of early cancers arising in the gastrointestinal tract.

He was appointed as a consultant in 2011. He was until recently the director of endoscopy for the division of gastroenterology at University College Hospital and leads the upper GI interventional endoscopic unit. He is currently the clinical lead for G.I Medicine at his institution. His main interests are therapeutic and innovative endoscopic procedures. He carries out minimally invasive treatments for acid reflux such as TIF (Tran-oral incisionless fundoplication) and Stretta. Dr Hairdry was the first UK endoscopist to carry out metabolic and bariatric endoscopic procedures such as Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) and Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG).

At present his main focus is on new and innovative endoscopic procedures for treating Metabolic disease and Type 2 Diabetes and also for treating patient’s with Obesity with excellent results to date.

Anaesthetists

Maan Hassan – Consultant Anaesthetist

Consultant anaesthetist, lead bariatric anaesthesia and previously lead anaesthesia for enhanced recovery for colorectal surgery. Appointed at UCH in 2007. Previously at St Mark’s and Northwick Park Hospital. Trained in the Bristol rotation as Registrar, University of Bristol as researcher, and St Thomas and Great Ormond St hospitals rotation as Senior Registrar. Examiner for the FRCA (2002 – present) and Editor for CPD Anaesthesia Journal (1999 – present). Recipient of Cutlers prize for innovation in surgery in 2007 judged by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/Consultants/Pages/DrMaanHasan.aspx

Pradeep Prabhu – Consultant Anaesthetist

Consultant anaesthetist, lead for cardiopulmonary exercise testing, Clinical lead for the Theatre Clinical Risk Group, subspecialty interests in Hepatopancreaticobiliary anaesthesia and anaesthesia for bariatric surgery. Appointed at The Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation trust as substantive consultant in 2005. Trained in the St. George’s rotation as Registrar. Previous training in anaesthesia at PGIMER, India. Research interests primarily in Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for risk stratification.

Dieticians

Our dieticians provide an invaluable service for our patients. Bariatric surgery should not be viewed as a miracle cure where the patients do not need to put in any effort themselves. Surgery is the helping hand to guide you on your way to a new, healthier you and the dieticians are there to help you to re-learn new eating patterns, advise you on what you should be eating and help with any eating issues you may be having after your surgery. In order to help you achieve your goal you must ensure you attend regular follow up appointments with your dietician.

Nicole Berberian Alabaster – Lead Dietician

Sudbury Clinic

Nicole is The Sudbury Clinics resident dietician and has a specialist interest in bariatrics. Nicole has worked for over 23 years in the field of nutrition and is a highly experienced registered dietician.

Having worked at The Sudbury Clinic since its opening, Nicole has built a close relationship with all our patients and is on hand to offer guidance on how to work successfully with their weight loss surgery. Nicole fully understands the needs of bariatric patients and is a key member of the multi-disciplinary team at The Sudbury Clinic.

Nicole is regularly seen on TV offering dietetic and nutritional advice and information on UK news, working with Sky News, Five News, BBC News Aljazeera, BBC World News and Newsround.

Heidi te Braake – Bariatric Dietician

Sudbury Clinic, St Richard’s & One Ashford

Heidi works from a number of our locations around the South Coast of England and has a specialist interest in bariatrics. Heidi qualified as a dietitian in South Africa 10 years ago, since then she has worked in the NHS community and acute setting before joining the bariatric specialism over 6 years ago.

Heidi fully understands the needs of bariatric patients and is a key member of the multi-disciplinary team.