Meet the Team

Changing lives since 2006

For over 15 years, our team of surgeons, dietitians, psychologists, bariatric nurses and exercise consultants have helped thousands of people significantly improve their health and transform their life for the better. As specialists in weight loss and metabolic surgeries, we focus on gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and revision bariatric surgery.

Our team has trained and worked in some of the world’s most renowned hospitals and medical facilities. The techniques we use are the latest in key-hole and laparoscopic options.

Working together, we assess, diagnose, advise, treat and manage your health and wellbeing from day one. We provide comprehensive followup to make sure you achieve the best possible outcome.

We regularly have patients travel to Christchurch for surgery from all over New Zealand and we are very happy to work with you to arrange your appointments to maximise your time here. We are also able to offer your follow up appointments by phone or zoom to reduce your travel.

Surgeons

CWLS Staff Grant

Mr Grant Coulter

MBChB FRACS
Grant is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 30 years experience in Christchurch. He currently works in both public and private practice. He co-founded Christchurch Weight Loss Surgery in 2007. Grant takes great satisfaction in establi...

Grant is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 30 years experience in Christchurch. He currently works in both public and private practice. He co-founded Christchurch Weight Loss Surgery in 2007. Grant takes great satisfaction in establishing weight loss (metabolic) surgery in Christchurch and enjoys seeing the success of each patient’s journey.

When Grant is not working he enjoys tramping and fishing and spending time with his wife and son.

Education

MBChB 1980 (Otago)
FRACS 1989

Fellowships:

Norfolk &Norwich Hospital, UK (1988-90)
London Hospitals, UK (1990-91)
Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (1991)

Current Appointments

Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Christchurch Hospital.
Clinical Director Department of General Surgery, Christchurch Hospital.

Surgeries offered

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Also surgeries for hernias, gallstones, reflux disease, gastrointestinal cancers
Also endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, stents and dilations)

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CWLS Staff Richard

Mr Richard Flint

MBChB PhD FRACS
Richard is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 10 years experience in weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He works in both public and private practice in Christchurch. Richard is a firm believer in weight loss (metabolic) surgery and is a...

Richard is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 10 years experience in weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He works in both public and private practice in Christchurch. Richard is a firm believer in weight loss (metabolic) surgery and is always keen to champion its success. He takes great pride in his patient’s results and enjoys watching their transformation.

When Richard isn’t working he is biking the hills or spending time with his wife and three teenage children.

Education

MBChB 1997 (Auckland)
PhD 2007 (Auckland)
FRACS 2008

Fellowships

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston (2008)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York (2009)

Current Appointments

Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Christchurch Hospital

Surgeries offered

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Laparoscopic revisional surgery
Also surgeries for hernias, gallstones, reflux disease, gastrointestinal cancers
Also endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, stents and dilations)

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CWLS Staff Steven

Mr Steven Kelly

MBChB FRACS
Steven is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 10 years experience in weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He works in both public and private practice in Christchurch and is a passionate advocate for weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He tak...

Steven is a New Zealand trained general surgeon with over 10 years experience in weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He works in both public and private practice in Christchurch and is a passionate advocate for weight loss (metabolic) surgery. He takes pride in keeping up to date with modern surgical advancements and providing a comprehensive patient-focused package.

When Steven is not working he enjoys motor sport and spending time with his wife and three teenage children.

Education

MBChB 1997 (Otago)

FRACS 2007

Fellowships

Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK (2007)

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Scotland (2008)

Current Appointments

Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Christchurch Hospital

Surgeries offered

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Laparoscopic revisional surgery

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Dietitians

Meg Shannon

BSc HUNT, PG Dip Diet (Distinction), NZRD
Meg attended the University of Otago and has been a qualified Dietitian since 2002. She has worked with people having weight loss (metabolic) surgery since 2008. Prior to this she worked in clinical research. Most recently this involved research i...

Meg attended the University of Otago and has been a qualified Dietitian since 2002. She has worked with people having weight loss (metabolic) surgery since 2008. Prior to this she worked in clinical research. Most recently this involved research into medications for Type 2 Diabetes and lipid disorders.

She is passionate about helping people to maintain good nutrition and enjoy their new style of eating after weight loss (metabolic) surgery.

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Bianca Munro

PGDipDiet, Dietitian Prescriber, NZRD
Bianca graduated from the University of Otago in 2008 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition. Bianca has worked as a Clinical Dietitian since then, covering a variety of specialities in the ...

Bianca graduated from the University of Otago in 2008 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition. Bianca has worked as a Clinical Dietitian since then, covering a variety of specialities in the acute setting. She has a special interest in the nutritional management of upper gastrointestinal surgery including weight loss (metabolic) surgery. Bianca says ‘I strive to make a difference in a client’s weight loss (metabolic) surgery journey by using evidence-based nutrition therapy to enhance their wellbeing’.

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Fiona Kendall

MDiet, BSC Human Nutrition, Dietitian Prescriber, NZRD
Fiona holds a Master of Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition from the University of Otago. She has published her research in the international journal, Nutrients. As well as weight loss (metabolic) surgery nutr...

Fiona holds a Master of Dietetics and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition from the University of Otago. She has published her research in the international journal, Nutrients. As well as weight loss (metabolic) surgery nutrition, Fiona specialises in women's health, weight management, and digestive health. She enjoys writing about nutrition and has had a number of articles published in NZ's national GP magazine. Fiona ensures that she is fully present with each client, and has an 'open-door policy' via email following each consultation.

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Sharron Burford

DHSC, GRADDIPTCH, PGCERTHIGHE, Dietitian Prescriber, NZRD
Sharron graduated from the University of Otago in 1991, achieving a Diploma in Home Science and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. With over three decades of experience as a Clinical Dietitian, she has worked in various healthcare settings, including...

Sharron graduated from the University of Otago in 1991, achieving a Diploma in Home Science and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching. With over three decades of experience as a Clinical Dietitian, she has worked in various healthcare settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community care. Sharron specialises in weight management and the nutritional care of community-based post-surgical patients. Her approach to patient care is compassionate and empathetic, ensuring that her patients feel understood and heard. She is committed to evidence-based practice, which leads to the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing weight loss surgery. With her background in teaching and clinical education, she can personalise patient consultations and provide invaluable nutrition counselling. Sharron's genuine passion lies in helping patients achieve their wellness goals, and she values the opportunity to support them throughout their weight loss journey.

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Clinical Psychologist

Lois Surgenor

PhD, DipClinPsych, FNZCCP
Lois is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years clinical and research experience working with people with eating and weight issues as well as those with serious life-shortening medical illnesses. Lois is an Associate Professor in Psychological ...

Lois is a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years clinical and research experience working with people with eating and weight issues as well as those with serious life-shortening medical illnesses. Lois is an Associate Professor in Psychological Medicine (University of Otago at Christchurch) and teaches postgraduate courses in these areas.

She is involved in multiple research studies looking at illness adjustment and recovery.

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Team Co-ordinators

Caroline & Mel

Caroline and Mel are the team co-ordinators and medical secretarys for Christchurch Weight Loss Surgery. They will help co-ordinate your journey from initial consult through to surgery and the follow-up period.

Wherever you are in life, we’re here to help. Call us on 03 375 4949 Or send us an email