The Surgeons:

Professor Nadey S. Hakim

(picture courtesy of Lord Snowdon)
Qualifications: KCJSJ, MD, PhD, FRCS, FRCSI, FACS, FICS
GMC Number: 2903521

Professor Nadey S Hakim is a General, Transplant and Bariatric surgeon.

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 Multi-organ 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 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 centers 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.

Professor Hakim carries out both Gastric Balloon and Gastric Banding procedures

The Dietitians:

Gill Cuffaro

Qualifications: Bsc(Hons), PGDip Diet, RD
HPC Number: DT03895

Gill Cuffaro is a Registered Dietitian and a Senior Lecturer in Dietetics Gill qualified as a Registered Dietitian in 1985 from Leeds University. She started her dietetic career at St. Georges Hospital in London where she specialised in Bariatric Surgery as well as being exposed to a wide variety of dietetic practice. Throughout her career she has worked in Private Practice and held various NHS posts in Barnet PCT, Kensignton and Chelsea PCT, Enfield and Haringey PCT and West Herts PCT. Currently she works at an Advanced Dietetic Practitioner for East and North Herts PCT and as a Senior Lecturer in Dietetics at the University of Hertfordshire.

Previous research has focused on small bowel adaptation following bariatric bypass procedures and eating behaviour and psychological factors associated with weight reduction following bariatric surgery. Gill is a member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the British Association for Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (BAPEN) and the British Obesity Surgery Society (BOSS)
Gill counsels and gives dietary advice and support to patients undergoing Gastric Band and Gastric Balloon procedures.

The Fitness Trainers:

Daniel Lagimodiere

Daniel Lagimodiere is originally from Vancouver, Canada. Since moving to the London, he has pursued a career in fitness health and specialized in personal training whilst working for one of the biggest providers of fitness centers in the UK.

He is certified as a fitness trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine based in the US. He has further acquired a certificate for Nutritional Advice for Weight Management through the established Premier Group here in the UK.

Daniel has effectively designed weight loss programs for many clients with excellent success rate. He has mastered helping clients find the right balance between nutrition and exercise to maximize sustainable results. Daniel will assist you in finding your unique balance of living that provides you with all the tools to have the greatest success in your weight loss journey.

Qualifications:
National Academy of Sports Medicine NASM CPT-3
Premier Training UK, Nutrition for Weight Management
CHEK Institute Exercise Coach

Fernando Gomes de Freitas

Fernando Gomes de Freitas has lived in several corners of the world. Born in Brazil Fernando has lived and worked in Australia, Uruguay, Italy to finally find his home in UK.

Fernando is fluent in 4 languages (Italian, English, Spanish and Portuguese) and has a wealth of experience in Nutrition and Fitness Trainer.

Internationally certified as a trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine in California is currently working with one of the biggest fitness centres in the world as a Personal Trainer.

Fernando is a strong believer that wellness is a balance between exercise and nutrition.

Qualifications:
National Academy of Sports Medicine NASM CPT-3

CHEK Institute Exercise Coach

Life Coach:

Carrie Harney

Carrie is a life coach with a thriving private practice in London and beyond. She coaches individuals one-on-one, tackling any aspect of their life that they would like to transform. Originating in the US, the profession of life coaching has reached the UK relatively recently, so Carrie is often asked what it is and why someone might be coached. A good analogy is a sports coach: (almost) anyone can play sports, but to excel and be the best you can be, you hire a sports coach. While it's often possible to drift through life, coping on your own, a life coach works with you to fulfil your true potential. You work with a coach to clarify your goals, recognise and tackle the perceived obstacles, and take action to achieve your dreams.

Carrie's clients include company Directors, students, full-time mothers, self-employed business owners and other professionals. Some clients turn to Carrie after repeated struggles with diet and exercise; others feel "stuck" in their lives and seek her help in rediscovering direction and balance. Carrie coaches within the co-active framework, which recognises that the client is independent and powerful. Coach and client work together in a strong alliance. Carrie uses techniques from neurolinguistic programming, visualisation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She holds the Certificate from the Coaches Training Institute.

Before settling in London, Carrie studied Psychology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She worked as a Lovas Therapist for children with autism. Carrie also has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Greenwich and is a Co-Founder of Trade4Good, training individuals in stock trading strategies.
This unique dual background in business and psychology makes Carrie an analytical and intuitive coach.

The first session with Carrie is a "Discovery Session", lasting 2 hours. This allows Carrie to have an overview of a client's level of satisfaction with different aspects of their life - e.g. finances, career, health and relationships. She also assesses their suitability for coaching: most people can be coached who are motivated to change and able to form the authentic and trusting alliance central to the co-active model. Of course the client can also establish their fit with Carrie's coaching style.

Subsequent sessions can be carried out face to face or over the telephone. Their length and frequency are agreed between coach and client, typically somewhere between an hour a week and an hour a month. As the client makes progress, the frequency of sessions is often varied. Some clients keep seeing Carrie monthly as part of their fitness regime.

Carrie's motto is "Live the life you dream".
at small consistent actions lead to massive results.
She loves the thrill of seeing her clients overcome resistance and fear to release the power within themselves.