Meet Our World-Leading Weight Loss Surgeons

Specialist Bariatric Physician

Dr Andrea Pucci

Dr Andrea Pucci PhD is a Consultant Obesity Physician. He is based at Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery of the prestigious University College London Hospital. 

 Dr Pucci graduated in 2003 at the University of Pisa, Italy. He subsequently obtained his specialist qualification in Endocrinology in 2008 at the Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa. In 2011, Dr Pucci moved to London and joined the Centre for Obesity Research at University College London obtaining his PhD in 2011.  

 Since 2011, Andrea has worked both in the clinical and research setting at University College/ University College London Hospital assessing and managing patients with severe obesity in particular patients before and after bariatric surgery. His research is focused on identifying pre-operative predictors of bariatric surgery health outcomes and he has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in international journals and textbook chapters.

Specialist Bariatric Surgeon

Marco Adamo

Mr Marco Adamo MD is a consultant surgeon and lead surgeon of the Bariatric Unit at the prestigious University College London Hospital. He is specialises in upper gastrointestinal, bariatric and minimally invasive surgery.

Mr Marco Adamo graduated in Italy, where he also completed his training in general surgery. He practiced six years in Yorkshire, where he was appointed consultant in 2006. He was also awarded MD by Leeds University for his research on appetite hormones and bariatric surgery.

In 2007 he has been recruited by the University College London Hospital (UCLH) to setup a new service for obesity surgery. He now leads a very successful high volume bariatric surgery unit which is one of the most renowned and respected in UK and Europe. He performs more than 200 bariatric cases/year with many cases of extreme obesity and complex reversional surgery. All procedures are carried out with laparoscopic (keyhole) technique. His complication rates are amongst the lowest published worldwide.

Passion for innovation – Single incision bariatric surgery.

Mr Adamo is a pioneer of this new revolutionary technique which employees only a small cut and leaves virtually no scars. He has successfully performed first in UK and amongst the first in the world performing many bariatric procedures such as the Sleeve Gastrectomy.

“Innovation and technology are opening new frontiers in modern healthcare. Pain and scars have been drastically reduced and surgery is much safer. Patients can now go home sooner after surgery and return to all activities within days.”

Consultant Laparoscopic, Bariatric & Upper GI Surgeon

Mr Waleed Al-Khyatt

Mr Waleed Al-Khyatt is a consultant upper GI, bariatric (obesity) and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgeon at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. He also holds the position of Honorary (Consultant) Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine.

Mr Al-Khyatt qualified from the University of Mosul College of Medicine with honours. Following completing his basic surgical training in South Wales, he undertook his higher surgical training in the Health Education England East Midlands – North and was awarded his fellowship (FRCS) and Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) from The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

He completed The Royal College of Surgeons of England Fellowship Programme in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery at St Richard’s International Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Centre of Excellence in Chichester, United Kingdom. In addition to emergency surgery, he has been fully trained in surgical management of patients with morbid obesity, which is his main compassion and subspecialty, oesophagogastric cancer, refractory GORD (acid reflex), open and laparoscopic repair of abdominal wall hernias, and gallstone disease.

Mr Al-Khyatt was awarded a PhD from the University of Nottingham for his research into the role of oestrogen receptors in oesophageal cancer development. His research projects have been presented at national and international prize sessions and awarded first prize medal from the Midland Gastroenterology Society. He has several published book chapters and peer-reviewed papers. His research interests include the pathogenesis of oesophageal cancer, improving outcomes in bariatric and metabolic surgery, using quality markers to improve outcomes in emergency surgery, and participation in national collaborative audit/research studies.

He takes great pride in providing compassionate care to all his patients by treating them as individuals with self-kindness and mindfulness. His approach is based on empowering his patients to be fully informed, to feel at ease and to be at the centre of any decision-making.

Waleed is married and has two daughters. His hobbies are basketball and swimming and he is a keen follower of the English Premier League.

Consultant Specialist Bariatric Surgeon

Bilal Alkhaffaf

Professor Bilal Alkhaffaf is a consultant upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon at Salford Royal Hospital in Manchester – the country’s largest upper gastrointestinal surgical centre. He specialises in advanced minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery. Professor Alkhaffaf has further developed his expertise by visiting international surgical centres of excellence in the United States, South Korea and The Netherlands as well as a number of leading organisations within the United Kingdom.

Bilal grew up in Manchester and attended the University of Manchester, from which he graduated in 2003. He prioritises the delivery of excellent medical care for all his patients and believes that this should be achieved through a relationship based on trust, clear communication and an empathetic approach. He specialises in the treatment of conditions affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract. In addition to all aspects of weight loss surgery, he treats oesophageal and gastric cancer, benign oesophageal and gastric disorders, acid reflux, hiatus hernias, achalasia, gallstones and hernias.

Research

Professor Alkhaffaf is active in the field of research and holds the position of Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Manchester. His research activities have resulted in his award of a prestigious National Institute of Health Research Doctoral Research Fellowship. Professor Alkhaffaf has a particular interest in the way surgical outcomes are reported and is currently leading a team of international experts to make research more relevant to patients.

Professional Memberships

Professor Alkhaffaf is an active member of the following professional organisations:

– Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh

– Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland

– British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society

– International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders

– International Gastric Cancer Association

– European Society of Surgical Oncology

– BASO – The Association for Cancer Surgery

Consultant Bariatric Surgeon

Peter Coe

Mr Peter Coe puts the patient at the centre of his work by empowering people to make the right choice of treatment for them and utilising modern approaches to minimise the impact of surgery.

Mr Peter Coe is a consultant surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust. His surgical training took place in Manchester, Leeds and across Yorkshire. During his training he undertook 2 years of research into obesity and cancer risk which resulted in a Doctor of Medicine thesis. Following completion of surgical training, he undertook advanced laparoscopic (keyhole) training in bariatric surgery with Phoenix Health in Chester.

Mr Coe specialises in keyhole surgery for weight loss (bariatric or obesity surgery) as well as for cancers of the oesophagus and stomach. His research interests are in the fields of obesity, oesophageal and gastric cancer and gallstones; he is the co-lead for surgical research for Yorkshire with the National Institute for Health and Research.

Member

• Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons (AUGIS)
• British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS)
• Royal College of Surgeons of England
• International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus (ISDE)
• International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)

Research

Bariatric Surgeon

Mr Omer-Al-Taan

Omer performs the full range of bariatric procedures (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band and gastric balloon) as well as revisional surgery. The bulk of his practice is based on keyhole surgery. His NHS practice is based at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, which is one of the largest bariatric surgery centres in the UK. Together with weight loss surgery, he regularly performs other operations like laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder), inguinal hernia repairs, hiatus hernia repairs, anti-reflux surgery as well as other types of abdominal hernias.

Consultant Specialist Bariatric Surgeon

Sherif Awad

Sherif Awad is Consultant Laparoscopic Obesity & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon. He qualified from the University of St Andrews (BMedSci) and University of Manchester (MBChB Hons), undertook his PhD at University of Nottingham and completed his surgical training in Manchester, the East-Midlands and London.

Sherif’s NHS post is based at Royal Derby Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Foundation Trust and has worked with Tonic for the past 10 years. Sherif holds/has held numerous high profile and leadership roles including Trustee of British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS, Nov 22-Present), Council Member & Professional Educational Lead on BOMSS (Sept 20 – June 24), Service Lead of East-Midlands Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (EMBMI) at Royal Derby Hospital (2016-2021) and Honorary Associate Professor at University of Nottingham (2014-2021). Sherif has a passion for teaching and runs the Royal College of Surgeons of England approved senior Bariatric Surgery Fellowship at EMBMI (which teaches senior trainees to become Consultant Bariatric Surgeons).

To date Sherif has performed over 6000 surgical procedures that include over 2500 bariatric surgery procedures. Sherif is passionate about the care he provides to patients and has over 700 5-star reviews from his private patients. His clinical outcomes, protocols, patient letters and information sheets are exemplary. Sherif is recognised internationally as an expert speaker on improving bariatric surgery pathways and safety.

Click here to watch an interview with a patient of Sherif Awad with a BMI of 90.

Consultant Specialist Bariatric Surgeon

Simon Dexter

Mr Simon Dexter believes that patient safety and quality of life are key goals amidst the changing face of upper GI surgery. These goals are reflected in his teaching and clinical practice.

Mr Dexter has been involved in laparoscopic surgery since its inception in the UK in 1990 and was the UK’s first laparoscopic surgery research fellow. His advanced surgical training took him through Leeds General Infirmary, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA, and the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo.

Mr Dexter specialises in laparoscopic and oesophago-gastric surgery, and he has a particular interest in laparoscopic obesity surgery, both primary and revisional. Mr Dexter has performed over 1,000 laparoscopic gastric bypass, gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch procedures. He also regularly undertakes hernia repair and colonoscopy procedures.

He has taught and mentored consultant surgeons across the UK in these techniques and is on the training committee of BOMSS, with responsibility for development of training programmes for UK surgeons. Mr Dexter’s complication rate is one of the lowest in the country for bariatric surgery.

Consultant Bariatric Surgeon

Mr Shamsi El-Hasani

Mr El-Hasani has specialised for the past 32 years in upper gastrointestinal, gallbladder hernia and weight loss procedures.

For the last 32 years Mr El Hasani has mainly specialised in upper gastrointestinal, gall bladder, hernia and weight loss surgery. Mr El-Hasani has long and structured training in laparoscopic/keyhole approach to surgery.

Mr El-Hasani began Private Bariatric surgical services in the year 2000 and currently he is the Director for this service. So far, he has performed in excess of ;1600 laparoscopic gastric bands, 800 laparoscopic gastric bypass, 200 endoscopic insertion of gastric balloon. Also, he performs regularly laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and undertakes the management of revisional bariatric surgery.

Mr El-Hasani is closely involved in the surgical management of type 2 diabetes, and he has recent international publication in this field.

Consultant Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Mr. Sandip Hindocha

Professor Sandip Hindocha is a highly experienced consultant specialising in plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic, laser, and hand surgery. He holds a substantive NHS position at Bedford Hospital, where he serves as Clinical Director of the Plastic Surgery & Laser Centre and Chair of the Theatres Board. Additionally, he is a Visiting Professor at the University of Bedfordshire. With over 17 years of clinical experience, he is listed on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery, reflecting his recognised expertise within the field.

Professor Hindocha’s surgical portfolio is extensive. In plastic and reconstructive surgery, he performs complex procedures including breast reconstructions (DIEP flap, LD flap, and implant-based), and surgeries for skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

In cosmetic surgery, Professor Hindocha regularly performs breast augmentation, breast uplift, and breast reduction, as well as body contouring surgeries including abdominoplasty, liposuction, arm lifts, and thigh lifts. His experience also includes facial aesthetic procedures such as rhinoplasty and otoplasty, and he treats both female and male patients. Known for his thoughtful, patient-centred approach, he is often sought out for second opinions in complex or revision cases.

He graduated from the University of Manchester in 2005 and undertook further training in Manchester, Liverpool, the USA (Dallas), and Canada (Toronto). He also completed a formally recognised cosmetic surgery fellowship and remains active in training and academic circles. Professor Hindocha is a passionate educator, having established the Bedford FRCS (Plast) course to support junior plastic surgeons.

Academically, he is prolific, publishing over 100 peer-reviewed articles, contributing to numerous book chapters, and regularly presenting his work at national and international conferences. His academic achievements have earned him multiple awards, including the prestigious Society of Academic & Research Surgeons prize in 2009.

Professor Hindocha is a member of several leading professional bodies, including:

• The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
• The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• The British Medical Laser Association (BMLA)
• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Consultant Bariatric and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeon

Andrei Ilczyszyn

Mr Ilczyszyn is a highly experienced Consultant Bariatric and Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeon, renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive weight loss procedures and upper GI surgery. He qualified from St George’s Hospital Medical School, London (2006), and completed his specialist training on the North East Thames rotation. He further honed his expertise with a two-year fellowship in metabolic bariatric surgery at UCLH’s Centre for Weight Management & Metabolic Surgery.

Mr Ilczyszyn holds an MD(Res) from King’s College London, awarded for his research on oesophageal physiology in reflux and achalasia surgery. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Gen Surg) and a valued member of BOMSS, IFSO, AUGIS, and EAES, he stays at the forefront of surgical innovation.

At Ramsay Winfield Hospital and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (appointed February 2022), Mr Ilczyszyn offers a comprehensive range of services including:

• Bariatric procedures: gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, mini-gastric bypass
• Upper GI surgery: anti-reflux, hiatus hernia repair

He introduced LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation in Gloucestershire a testament to his commitment to cutting-edge, patient-centred care

Mr Ilczyszyn is also published in respected peer-reviewed journals and featured on ResearchGate for his contributions to laparoscopic and bariatric surgical research (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy protocols) .

Consultant Surgeon & Laparoscopic

Vittal Rao

Dr Rao is a Consultant Surgeon with specialist expertise in laparoscopic, upper gastrointestinal (GI), and bariatric surgery. His focus lies in delivering effective weight loss solutions, including gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures, as well as minimally invasive (keyhole) surgeries for gallstones and hernias.

Dr Rao graduated from the University of Kerala and began his medical career in various hospitals across India. After moving to the UK, his skill and dedication saw him appointed as a Specialist Registrar in Upper GI surgery in 2009. By 2013, he had progressed to a consultant position at the University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust, where he continues to practise.

A strong advocate of lifelong learning, Dr Rao actively attends advanced training and development courses to remain at the forefront of modern surgical techniques. This commitment has equipped him with refined surgical skills across a wide range of procedures, enabling him to offer exceptional care to his patients. He is a proud member of key professional bodies, including The British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, and has contributed extensively to clinical research and publications.

Alongside his clinical role, Dr Rao is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Keele University and holds multiple leadership roles, including Regional Surgical Advisor and member of the Surgical Specialty Board at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He also teaches advanced laparoscopic techniques as part of the faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, where he helps train the next generation of surgeons.

Dr Rao’s wide-ranging experience across different healthcare settings has shaped a patient-first approach rooted in safety, compassion, and excellence.

Consultant Surgeon specialising in bariatric (weight loss)

Alan Askari

Mr Alan Askari is a Consultant Surgeon specialising in bariatric (weight loss), upper GI, and general surgery. With expertise in routine and complex procedures, he is committed to delivering patient-centred care through a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring tailored treatments for optimal outcomes.

His clinical expertise includes weight loss surgery, acid reflux and hiatal hernia repair, gallbladder surgery with laparoscopic CBD exploration, and both open and laparoscopic hernia repair. He combines technical excellence with a compassionate approach, prioritising patient education, support, and confidence throughout their surgical journey.

Beyond his clinical practice, Mr Askari is actively involved in medical education, leadership, and research. As Director of Corporate Engagement for TUGSS, ECCN Lead for ASGBI, and Chair of the Complex Bariatric MDT, he contributes to service development, surgical training, and quality improvement initiatives. Passionate about mentoring trainees, he has played a key role in organising educational courses, including the TUGSS FRCS Revision Course.

With a PhD in Surgery & Cancer from Imperial College London, Mr Askari has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles and delivered over 200 national and international presentations. His research interests include innovative healthcare approaches, such as big data, machine learning, and social media integration to enhance patient care and surgical education.

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon

Kavish Maheshwari

Mr. Kavish Maheshwari is an accomplished plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon with a specialist focus on cosmetic breast surgery, facial rejuvenation, and body contouring. He completed his advanced aesthetic surgery fellowship at The London Clinic on Harley Street — one of the UK’s most prestigious and sought-after centres for cosmetic surgery — where he worked alongside some of the country’s most respected surgeons. This fellowship gave him in-depth expertise in procedures such as breast augmentation, breast uplift, breast reduction, rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, liposuction, and advanced body contouring techniques.

Alongside his private practice, Mr. Maheshwari works in the NHS, where he specialises in breast reconstruction and skin cancer reconstruction. His reconstructive background gives him a unique perspective in aesthetic surgery, combining meticulous surgical skill with an innate understanding of proportion, balance, and natural results. He believes that truly exceptional cosmetic surgery lies in enhancing a patient’s existing features while preserving individuality and harmony.

An active contributor to the field, Mr. Maheshwari has published extensively in aesthetic surgery, including landmark papers on breast surgery, rhinoplasty, and facelift techniques. His work is regularly presented at national and international meetings, and he remains at the forefront of developments in both surgical and non-surgical aesthetics.

Beyond his clinical practice, Mr. Maheshwari is deeply committed to sustainability in healthcare. His research into the carbon footprint of surgical procedures has been recognised for driving innovation in environmentally responsible surgical practices. He is a passionate advocate for “green surgery,” integrating principles of environmental stewardship into the operating theatre without compromising patient safety or outcomes.

Giving back is a core value for Mr. Maheshwari. He regularly participates in volunteer cleft surgery camps, providing life-changing operations for children in underserved communities. For him, surgery is not only a profession but also a way to create meaningful change — whether restoring confidence through aesthetic enhancement, reconstructing after illness, or giving a child the chance to smile for the first time.

Known for his approachable manner, honest advice, and attention to detail, Mr. Maheshwari works closely with each patient to understand their goals and deliver results that feel both beautiful and natural. His philosophy is simple: refined, elegant, and timeless outcomes with patient safety at the heart of every decision.

Bariatric Surgeon

Andrew Currie

Mr Currie has trained in specialist upper GI surgical units in the South East of England (Chichester and Ashford and St Peters Bariatric Units) as well as completing advanced surgical training in Upper GI and Bariatric Surgery at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, Australia. He has a special interest in the introduction and evaluation of novel surgical technologies including bariatric endoscopy, having received specialist training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University in Boston, USA Having read for a PhD in Surgical Innovation at Imperial College in 2016, he has completed several studies using large clinical and routinely collated datasets including the National Bariatric Surgery Registry. As a result of this work, he had received awards from the National Institute for Health Research, the Royal Society of Medicine, the Digestive Disorders Federation, the European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the Dunhill Medical Foundation & the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

His extensive background in clinical practice and research led to him being offered a NICE Scholarship in 2019 to investigate the adoption of Clinical Guideline 189 Quality Standards on using metabolic surgery for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.