The Avon Obesity Service Team
Dr Andrew Johnson MD FRCP, consultant physician
Dr Johnson is a consultant physician with specialist interests in obesity, diabetes and endocrinology. He has extensive experience in the medical management of obesity in patients who are not fit or not eligible for surgery, as well as in managing obesity related medical problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure, before, during and after surgery.
He is one of the few Physicians in the UK whose expertise extends across the spectrum of obesity management. He has regularly presented obesity related research at both international and national conferences and is a member of The Association for the Study of Obesity [ASO]
Mr Justin Morgan MD FRCS, consultant general surgeon
Mr Justin Morgan is a Consultant General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgeon at Southmead Hospital North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol Hospital for Sick Children UBHT and Spire Bristol Hospital.
As well as his interest in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, he has had a long interest in weight loss surgery and was one of the first UK surgeons to travel to France for Specialist Bariatric training prior to establishing the current service some years ago. He trained in Lyon, France with Dr Vincent Frering.
Mr Morgan has a special interest in weight loss surgery in adolescents.
Relevant membership includes British Obesity Surgery Society [BOSS] and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity [IFSO].
Miss Sally Norton MD FRCS, consultant general surgeon
Miss Norton is a Consultant General, Laparoscopic and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at Southmead and Frenchay Hospitals, North Bristol NHS Trust, the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Spire Bristol Hospital.
She has had a specialist interest in weight loss surgery for over eight years having undertaken a year-long specialist surgical fellowship in Australia, training with Dr George Fielding, a world renowned expert in weight loss surgery.
She has experience in the majority of laparoscopic bypass surgery procedures including gastric bypass, duodenal switch and gastric banding.
Relevant professional membership include: British Obesity Surgery Society [BOSS], the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity [IFSO] and the Association for Upper Gastro Intestinal Surgeons [AUGIS].
Mrs Sharon Bates MSc RM RN Dip Co – nurse counsellor
Sharon is a Registered Nurse and for many years worked as a Midwife. She is a professionally qualified and experienced counsellor and advanced practitioner in eating disorders. She works with The National Centre for Eating Disorders where she is a co facilitator. Sharon has particular expertise having undergone weight loss surgery in 2000.
Sharon trained with Dr Vincent Frering in Lyon, France and was a pioneer in the UK specialising and establishing weight loss surgery teams in the UK. She currently works predominantly in Bristol as a Specialist Bariatric Nurse.
She is actively involved in research linked to obesity and has published and presented internationally.
Relevant professional membership include: Associate member of British Obesity Surgery Society [BOSS], The Association for the Study of Obesity [ASO] and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity [IFSO].
Faith Toogood, dietician
Faith completed her Master of Nutrition degree at the University of Nottingham. She is an experienced specialist dietitian, registered with the Health Professions Council. She and has since worked in Germany, Cuba and the UK in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
Faith works for the NHS in Bristol as a specialist bariatric dietitian (weight loss surgery & weight management) She works privately at SPIRE hospital Bristol as part of the AOS team (Avon Obesity Service).
Achieving your personal goals involves change. Your aim may include a variety of elements including; reaching and maintaining your ideal weight, improving your digestion, reducing your body fat, improving your sporting performance or simply wanting to ensure that you are as healthy as possible.
Faith also sees clients wanting help with a variety of issues including weight gain, irritable bowel syndrome, PCOS and general healthy eating advice for those wanting to look after skin, hair, nails and do what they can to combat the ageing process
Lynn Sawyer, dietician
Mrs Lynn Sawyer is a specialist dietician with particular expertise in obesity and diabetes. She runs NHS clinics in conjunction with the consultant diabetologists at Southmead Hospital, Bristol and with Dr Johnson at Spire Bristol Hospital.
She has particular expertise in the nutritional assessment of patients with weight problems and helping them make lifestyle changes. She undertakes extensive preoperative and postoperative nutritional assessments of people considering gastric banding.