Grant Beban
Bariatric Surgeon
Grant works in both private and public practice at Auckland Hospital. His particular interests are laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic gastric sleeve procedures, as well as other forms of laparoscopic upper gastrointestinal surgery and surgery for cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract. He has been involved in Ministry of Health groups looking at management of morbid obesity in New Zealand and prioritisation of weight loss operations in public hospitals.
Research interests include improvements in diabetes control and quality of life after weight loss surgery.
Richard Babor
Bariatric Surgeon
As well as his private practice, Richard works as a general, upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon at Counties Manukau District Health Board. His interests include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and revision of complicated band surgery.
Currently he is involved in research on enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery and the effect of bariatric surgery on diabetes.
Nicholas Evennett
Bariatric Surgeon
Nicholas is an Upper GI and Bariatric surgeon who works in both private and public practice at Auckland Hospital. He completed a thesis in paediatric surgery in the Netherlands and London before completing ANZGOSA (Australia and New Zealand Gastro Oesophageal Surgery Association) and OSSANZ (Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand) accredited post fellowship training programmes in Upper GI and bariatric surgery.
He offers a wide range of bariatric procedures (including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, one anastomosis gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy), anti-reflux surgery, gallbladder surgery, and hernia surgery. He has a particular clinical interest in minimally invasive surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancer, and has successfully implemented a minimally invasive oesophagectomy programme at Auckland Hospital.
Angela Bayly
Bariatric Surgeon
Angela Bayly is the newest member to our bariatric surgery team at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery. Angela is a General, Upper GI & Bariatric surgeon. She performs surgery for weight loss including roux-en-y gastric bypass, single anastomosis gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, gallbladder and hernia surgery.
Angela trained in New Zealand before heading to Sydney to St George Private Hospital, recognised as the highest volume bariatric surgical centre in Australia and the country’s first internationally accredited Centre of Bariatric Excellence.
She brings a minimally invasive approach to the management of oesophago-gastric cancer and is part of the oesophagectomy team at Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital. Angela has a research interest in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.
Craig Birch
Anaesthetist
Craig practiced anaesthesia in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia before establishing his practice in Auckland in 2001. He works in public practice at Middlemore Hospital where his special interests are anaesthesia for difficult airways, trauma, obstetrics, paediatrics and obesity surgery. He is actively involved in teaching and research. His private practice includes obesity surgery, orthopaedic surgery and maxillofacial surgery.
Craig is a graduate of the University of Cape Town.
Ivan Bergman
Anaesthetist
Ivan works in both private and public practice as a specialist consultant at Auckland City Hospital. His special anaesthetic interests are general and liver surgery including laparoscopy, orthopaedics and major abdominal surgery. His other interests include research and coagulation.
Tim Hall
Anaesthetist
Tim is a Specialist Anaesthetist working in private practice and as a Consultant in public practice at Auckland City Hospital. He has a specific interest in bariatric surgery and in the perioperative assessment of patients having oesophageal surgery. Tim is actively involved in Upper GI perioperative audit and in training future anaesthetists in the public system.
Yvonne Morgan
Bariatric Nurse
Yvonne trained in Bury St. Edmunds in 1991 and started work in operating theatres in 1994. She moved to London in 1995, and then Auckland in 1998.
Going on to train as a Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant (RNFSA) in 2003, Yvonne introduced the RNFSA training to New Zealand in 2010 and is still the course coordinator.
Yvonne worked for bariatric, upper GI and colorectal surgeons for 14 years, predominantly in the operating room as an assistant. She now provides education and postoperative care in our clinic.
Cindy Sharon
Health Psychologist
Cindy’s role at AWLS is to provide assessments for patients prior to bariatric surgery and also to support patients post-surgery to improve overall outcomes.
Mel Stephenson
Health Psychologist
Mel has worked in a range of health settings including hospitals and primary care, helping people with significant physical health challenges flourish and thrive. She is passionate about ensuring any changes to behaviour and wellbeing are sustainable for the long haul, whether it’s making the best individual plans and preparations with the healthcare team or effectively recruiting support from whanau and community.
Katie Lambert
Bariatric Dietitian
Katie has over 20 years’ experience as a dietitian working in the private and public health sectors in New Zealand and overseas. She is passionate about the role food plays in life and works with our patients both before and after surgery to ensure their diets meet their needs for both health and wellbeing. Katie trained in the United Kingdom.
As well as working with Auckland Weight Loss Surgery, Katie works at Mercy Ascot Hospital and she is currently a dietitian representative on the ANZMOSS board.
Olivia Edwards
Bariatric Dietitian
Olivia is a New Zealand trained Dietitian working at MercyAscot Hospitals and Auckland Weight Loss Surgery with a wide range of experience supporting patients in primary, community and hospital settings. Her area of interest is nutrition support before and after bariatric surgery. She is passionate about helping people achieve the best outcomes from surgery through an evidence based and client centred approach.
Prior to joining the Auckland Weight Loss Surgery team, Olivia worked as a bariatric dietitian in Auckland DHB and the NHS in London. She is an active member of the Dietitians New Zealand Bariatric Special Interest Group, ANZMOSS and IFSO and she is currently the co-convenor for the Dietitian NZ Bariatric special interest group.
Danika Pillay
Bariatric Dietitian
Danika moved to Auckland from South Africa in 2002. Since then she completed her BSc in Nutrition at The University of Auckland, and her Masters in Dietetics at Massey University. Danika has experience with the nutritional management of chronic renal conditions, weight management, and bariatric surgery. She has a special interest in research and teaching and is currently undertaking a PhD whilst supporting the dietetics programme as needed at Massey University.
Danika enjoys debunking nutrition myths and fads. She is passionate about providing evidence-based care to support people to achieve their health goals through sustainable and practical lifestyle changes. Danika is a member of ANZMOSS (Australian & NZ Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society) and the Dietitians NZ Bariatric Special Interest Group.
Caryne McKeand
Bariatric Dietitian
Caryne trained as a dietitian in the United Kingdom. She worked for the NHS is Yorkshire in a variety of roles, including bariatrics, before immigrating to New Zealand in 2012. Since moving to New Zealand she has specialised in bariatrics, supporting patients on their journey at Te Whatu Ora – Waitematā. She is passionate about empowering patients and clients to succeed long term with their surgery.
Caryne is a member of ANZMOSS and is an active member of the Dietitians NZ Bariatric Special Interest Group and joined the team at Mercy Ascot in 2023.