Avon Obesity Service is a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals committed to the care of people who are obese and struggling with their weight.

We specialise in the assessment, operation and post-operative support of people undergoing obesity surgery (such as gastric banding) to assist their weight loss. We are closely linked with the Avon Band Support group and recommend all pre- and post-operative gastric band surgery patients make use this free service.

The team have set up a dedicated service in the private sector at the Spire Hospital (formerly known as BUPA Hospital), Bristol, where they take referrals from throughout the South West and from the whole of the United Kingdom. The team also run a regional NHS weight loss service at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust taking patients from across the South West, Midlands, and South and South West Wales.

To speak to someone direct about obesity surgery or any of our other treatments, ring us on 0117 962 3028 - we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. See our contact us page for further details.

For an overview of the treatments we offer, please see Our Treatments pages.

For general information on obesity, including how to measure your own BMI, we recommend reading the About Obesity pages.

You can now see an AOS informational video on YouTube too!

Free weight loss surgery information evenings

Avon Obesity Service (AOS) and the Spire Bristol Hospital (The Glen) host regular free weight-loss surgery information evenings at the hospital. Informal presentations and advice from our dedicated weight loss team including consultant surgeons Mr Justin Morgan and Miss Sally Norton are normally available; and nurse counsellor Sharon Bates, dietician Lynn Sawyer and consultant physician Dr Andrew Johnson are usually on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

Places are limited for each date - please use our contact form or ring 0117 980 4080 asap to reserve your place(s) on any of them. The following dates are currently available for booking:

• Tuesday 17 May 2011
• Tuesday 12 July 2011
• Tuesday 6 September 2011
• Tuesday 15 November 2011

AOS in the News

• Listen to the discussion on obesity surgery and gastric banding with Mr Justin Morgan on BBC Radio 4 Today program (aired on Thursday 26 February 2009) at http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7911000/7911856.stm

• Watch Sharon Bates discuss gastric banding and Fern Britton on BBC 1 Breakfast (aired on Tuesday 3 June 2008) at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7432901.stm

Updates

New Book Co-Written by our nurse counsellor Sharon Bates!

Our very own nurse counsellor, Sharon Bates, together with Dr Simon Monkhouse, has had "Gastric Band and Beyond - Maximise your weight loss" published and is now available to buy from www.authorhouse.co.uk.

"Gastric Band and Beyond - Maximise your weight loss" is a unique comforting and compelling guide for those struggling with their weight.

Mrs Sharon E. Bates MSc RM RN & Dr Simon J.W. Monkhouse MA MBBChir MRCS

ISBN: 978-1-4567-7174-4 (sc)