Weight Management

Your first consultation is an opportunity to talk openly with a specialist about your health, your experiences and your goals. We will take the time to listen, explain your options clearly and answer any questions you may have.

We will begin by listening to your weight management challenges and reviewing your health history, eating behaviour and lifestyle. Next, we will perform a physical examination. We may also recommend certain tests, including:

• Blood glucose tests to screen for diabetes
• Blood tests to check your cholesterol levels
• Tests to see if your kidneys, liver and thyroid are working properly
• Psychological assessments to identify any weight-related depression or anxiety

In our initial discussions, we might also talk with you about something called body mass index (BMI).

Understanding body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple tool that uses your height and weight to give an estimate of your body fat. It is a starting point, but it is not the whole picture. Some people with a BMI outside the “healthy” range may still be well, while others within the range may benefit from medical support.

That’s why our team looks beyond BMI, considering your overall health and risk factors, such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnoea.

Interested in learning what your BMI is? Use a BMI calculator to get an estimate.

A Team Approach to Care

At Cleveland Clinic London, your weight management team may include specialists from many different disciplines. This ensures you receive comprehensive, personalised care throughout your treatment and recovery. Depending on your needs, your team may include:

• Bariatric surgeons
• Anaesthetists and critical care practitioners
• Endocrinologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Cardiologists
• Pulmonologists
• Neurologists
• Psychologists

You may also confer with our expert dietitians who can provide nutrition advice and suggest long-term lifestyle changes. Our clinical nurse specialists are available to coordinate your treatment and recovery, provide information and connect you with any resources you may find helpful.

Depending on your needs, our team will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan, which may include lifestyle support, medication, minimally invasive procedures or surgery.

Lifestyle support

We will help you redefine your relationship with food and adopt new, healthy habits for life. Your personalised care plan may include:

• Nutrition guidance: We will support you with recommendations of well-balanced, nourishing food choices that fit into your busy life.
• Physical activity: We will tailor suggestions for activities you enjoy, making it easier to maintain over the long term.
• Mental health support: We will help you navigate the emotional and psychological aspects of your relationship with food.
• Digital tools: We can equip you with a weight management app that supports your lifestyle goals, such as physical activity, sleep and diabetes management.

Medications

As part of your care plan, we may prescribe medications to assist with weight management and overall well-being. These could include gut hormone-based injectable treatments, such as Wegovy^® (semaglutide) or Mounjaro^® (tirzepatide).

These medications work by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, so you feel fuller for longer. One of these treatments may be an option if lifestyle changes alone have not led to the desired results, or if you have a weight-related health condition, such as Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Before prescribing, our consultants will carefully consider your medical history, current health conditions and any other medications you may be taking. We will monitor you closely and provide ongoing support throughout your treatment. Medication works best as part of a structured programme, with ongoing review and support from our team of specialists.

Minimally invasive procedures

At Cleveland Clinic London, we offer a variety of minimally invasive methods for weight management, including:

• Allurion (formally known as Elipse) balloon^®: You will swallow a capsule with a deflated balloon inside that is attached to a tube. Your surgeons will fill it with sterile saline water, taking up space in your stomach. No sedation or hospital stay is needed, and it only takes about 15 minutes.
• Orbera^™ gastric balloon: If you have a BMI of 35 to 40, you may qualify for this 30-minute procedure. A saline-filled balloon is inserted into your stomach under mild sedation. Typically, you do not need a hospital stay.
• Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty: This procedure reduces the size of your stomach by using stitches to change its shape. Your surgeon will determine if this option is right for you based on your BMI. You will be mildly sedated, and there is typically no need for an overnight stay in hospital.

Surgery

We specialise in weight loss surgery for people with severe obesity, including those with a BMI of 40 or more or a BMI of 35 or more with serious weight-related conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea or high blood pressure.

At Cleveland Clinic London, you are cared for by a highly experienced team of specialists from many disciplines — including some of the country’s top bariatric surgeons. We offer minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, and in selected cases robotic-assisted surgery may also be considered to support surgical precision and recovery planning. We provide round-the-clock consultant support and access to a 29-bed intensive care unit for higher-risk and more complex patients.

Choosing surgery can feel like a major step, and we understand that. We are here to guide you through every stage of the process — from evaluation and preparation to recovery and long-term follow-up — so you can move forward with confidence.

Our surgeries options include:

• Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy): We remove around 80% of your stomach, helping you feel full sooner and reducing hunger. This is one of the most commonly performed bariatric operations and may be suitable if you have a BMI of 35 or above.
• Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y): We create a small stomach pouch and reroute part of your small intestine, reducing both food intake and calorie absorption. This option may be particularly helpful if you also have metabolic conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes.
• One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB or mini-gastric bypass): This procedure creates a long, narrow stomach pouch with one connection to your small intestine. It offers strong weight loss and metabolic outcomes in appropriately selected patients.
• Gastric band: Once a more common option, gastric band surgery involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach. We now recommend it less often because long-term weight loss outcomes are generally less favourable than sleeve or bypass surgery, and complication rates can be higher. In selected cases, though, it may still be considered after specialist review.
• Revisional bariatric surgery: If you have had a previous weight loss procedure and are experiencing weight regain, reflux, nutritional issues or other complications, we offer tailored revisional surgery for select patients.

Follow-up Care

Our commitment to your health continues well beyond any procedure. Your follow-up care may include regular clinic reviews, dietetic support, psychological input, blood tests and ongoing monitoring to support long-term success.

Private Weight Loss Costs at Cleveland Clinic London

We offer highly personalised private care with convenient payment options. Have questions? Call on +44 20 3423 8900 to speak with one of our payment specialists.

What’s Next?

Taking the next step in your weight management journey can feel daunting, and it is natural to have questions or feel unsure about which option is right for you. At Cleveland Clinic London, we offer clear guidance and supportive care to help you make informed decisions with confidence and at a pace that feels right for you. Early advice and ongoing support are available whenever you are ready to explore your options.