About our team of Surgeons & Physicians

At The National Obesity Surgery Centre, we are proud to be associated with some of the UK’s leading obesity surgeons, lead by Professor Nadey Hakim, a Past President of the World College of Surgeons and Mr Roger Ackroyd, one of the UK's leading bariatric surgeons.

All are highly experienced and respected NHS consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeons working within prestigious teaching hospitals. All have very considerable experience in the use of the Lap Band and the stomach balloon.

This team augments and works closely with our team of NHS Consultant Gastroenterologists, who are responsible for most of our stomach balloon patients. This group has unrivalled experience in the use of the stomach balloon for weight loss; placing the majority of all the stomach balloons in the UK.

In addition, we have a Director of Medical Services, who is responsible for the day to day assessment and management of our patients, should they have any concerns. This unique service means that our patients are only ever a telephone call away from access to the appropriate member of our Medical Team, and means that we are exclusively able to offer the very best care and support to all of our patients.

Dr John Mason  MD FRCP - Medical Director

John is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Trafford General Hospital (part of the Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust), where he is also Medical Director. With a personal series well in excess of 10,000 upper GI endoscopies, he was the ideal choice to both place the majority of our balloons and also train other practitioners who join the Centre throughout the UK. As the NOSC’s Medical Director, he is also responsible for overseeing all medical matters that arise within the Centre throughout the UK, including clinical governance, training, research, and our on-going medical audit.

Mr Roger Ackroyd MB, ChB, MD, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Ed), FRCS (Gen Surg)

Mr Ackroyd is a fully qualified and accredited Consultant General Surgeon who specialises in surgical procedures for obesity. He qualified in medicine from Sheffield University in 1989 and trained in the UK, Europe and Australia. His special interest is in upper gastrointestinal surgery. He is a member of the British Obesity Surgery Society.

Mr Ackroyd’s major clinical interests include oesophagogastric cancer surgery, anti-reflux surgery and gallbladder, hernia and obesity surgery.
His research interests include ablation therapy for Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer, clinical trials comparing different types of anti-reflux surgery and the metabolic effects of obesity surgery.

Mr Ackroyd offers laparoscopic gastric banding (Lap Band) and gastric balloon insertion.

Professor Nadey S Hakim, KCJSJ, MD, PhD, FRCS, FRCSI, FACS, FICS

Nadey S Hakim is a General, Bariatric and Transplant Surgeon. He is the Surgical Director of the West London Transplant Unit based at the Hammersmith Hospital. He has a particular interest and expertise in kidney and pancreas transplantation. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. He obtained his MD from Paris Rene Descartes University; he received his surgical training at Guy’s Hospital in London and PhD in small bowel transplantation from University College London. He completed a Gastrointestinal Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and Multiorgan Transplant Fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

To date he has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and has written/edited 18 textbooks in the field of General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery and Transplantation. He is the Editor in Chief of International Surgery, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal and is on the Editorial Board of Transplant Proceedings, Graft, Experimental and Clinical Transplantation and of several other journals.

He is a member of the Kidney-Pancreas Committee of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTP) and Past President of the Transplantation Section of the Royal Society for Medicine. He has given numerous presentations in the UK and throughout the world.

He has been awarded an Honorary Professorship of the University of Sao Paolo, University of Lyon, University of Lima Peru and University of Beshkent Ankara. He has been a visiting Professor at several prestigious centres including Harvard University.

He is the 35th World President of the International College of Surgeons based in Chicago. Prior to his election he served as First Vice President and European Federation Secretary of this College.

He has recently been awarded the 2007 J. Wesley Alexander Prize for outstanding research in the field of Transplantation.

Dr Hamish Duncan MD, FRCP, BSc(Hons), DTM&H

Dr Duncan is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Queen Alexandra Hospital (Portsmouth). He qualified in medicine from Birmingham University in 1986. He was awarded his MD for his work on enteral nutrition. He is a member of the British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. He has co-authored a number of books and original research articles. He performs interventional endoscopy in addition to placing gastric balloons. He received his formal training in the use of intragastric balloons in Rome.

Dr Nigel Guest M.B. Ch.B  D.R.C.O.G  D.F.F.P - Director of Medical Services

Dr Guest heads the Clinical Services Team and is responsible for any medical issues that may arise prior to and following treatment. He works closely with our team of Bariatric Surgeons and Gastroenterologists and liaises constantly with support staff and the Clinical Services Team. Dr Guest’s special interests are in cardiology, psychiatry and gastroenterology.

Lorraine Knockton  B.A., M.Ed., Dip. Performance Coaching, Qualified Nurse - Clinical Service Manager

Loraine’s background in behavioural therapies and motivational techniques makes her the ideal person to work alongside and enable our patients to succeed in their weight loss goals. Continuing her professional development in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, she brings an understanding and sensitive approach to meeting individual needs.

Together with her team, she will ensure continuity of support throughout your weight loss journey.

Christine Morley - Senior Patient Advisor

Chris has been part of the team from day one and she will be one of the first people you speak to when you call the Centre. She is very friendly and has a vast amount of knowledge to impart. She will guide you through your initial questions and make it easier for you to reach the right decision. She understands why you are calling NOSC and she will ensure that your enquiry is dealt with in a discreet and confidential manner.

Carole Kelly - Patient Support Advisor

Carole is highly experienced in the day to day routine follow-up and mentoring of patients following balloon placement. She is in very regular contact with all our patients and provides them with much needed encouragement and valuable advice on how to get the most from their balloon. Her first hand experience with the balloon makes her best placed to assist our patients.

Sarah Pacitto – Patient Advisor

When you call the Centre to ask your initial questions, Sarah will be one of the first people you speak to. She is friendly and approachable and understands the confidential nature of your enquiry. There is much to consider when choosing between Gastric Balloon and Lap Band™ procedures. Sarah will provide you with all the information required to help you take your decision.