Blackrock WeightCare have a specialised multidisciplinary weight loss surgery team based in Blackrock Clinic and The Hermitage Medical Clinic. We provide state of the art robotic surgery in Ireland’s premier private hospital.
Our comprehensive aftercare programme provides you with the very best chance to optimise your weight loss and health. Weight loss surgery can be liberating and transformational, we are here to guide you to maximise its benefits. Your Health. We Care.
For those who are not ready for surgery and would like other options – we provide a medical weight management programme and programmes with our specialist dietitians.
Our commitment is that each patient will be treated with respect, dignity, openness and care during their weight loss journey with our highly skilled team.
If you are interested in kick-starting your weight loss journey, get in touch with Blackrock WeightCare and start your journey now.
British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society
Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
French EsoGastic Tumours Research Group
Mr. William Robb M.D., F.R.C.S.I. is a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon who graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in 2000. He specialises in minimally invasive and robotic stomach and oesophageal surgery.
Mr. Robb spent 2 years in the department of digestive and oncological surgery in Lille, France in Europe’s foremost upper GI surgical centre. There he trained extensively in minimally invasive gastric surgery for all benign and malignant conditions. He subsequently spent 2 years as a Consultant in the Bristol Royal Infirmary before he returned to Dublin in 2015.
He is the author of over 50 peer reviewed publications, has presented work and research internationally and continues to strive to harness modern surgical technology for the benefit of his patients and their recovery.
In Blackrock Clinic, Mr. Robb has established the first robotic surgical programme for weight loss surgery and he performs a high volume of bariatric operations utilising the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical platform.
William is passionate that patients should have access to the highest standard of weight loss surgery and aftercare at home on the island of Ireland.
Your Health. We Care
Blackrock WeightCare Practice Manager, Deborah has more than 25 years experience in a wide variety of healthcare management roles. Deborah has an MBA in Health Service Management from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and oversees the day-to-day running of the surgical practice ensuring our team is working together to deliver the best possible patient experience.
Deborah is the first point of contact for our patients, with a passion for ensuring patient satisfaction and maintaining the highest possible standards Deborah ensures that each patient is treated with dignity, respect and confidentiality from initial enquiry and onwards to surgery and recovery.
Registered Dietitian
Emer O’Driscoll holds an MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from University of Ulster, Coleraine (2014). Emer has experience in clinical and outpatient settings in particular her passions are intuitive eating counselling and weight management. Emer is actively involved in the support of patients before and after weight loss surgery. She recognises the importance of consistent follow up care with a dietitian through your pre and post-surgical journey.
She holds a certificate in Motivational Interviewing from the National Institute for Preventive Cardiology (NIPC) and is a Certified Intuitive Eating counsellor. Emer developed and leads the SUCCEED Programme. She is a member of the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI) and a CORU registered dietitian.
Registered Dietitian
Niamh Forster holds a BSc Human Nutrition and an MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from University College Dublin (2020). Niamh has experience in clinical and outpatient settings including weight management. She holds a certificate in Behaviour Change Training.
Niamh is a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI) and a CORU registered dietitian.
Bariatric Surgery Endoscopist
Mr Achille Mastrosimone is a General and Upper GI Surgeon.
Achille was born in Italy where he completed his higher surgical training at Palermo University. He moved to Ireland in 2010 and completed a Fellowship in Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic and Upper GI Surgery in Mercy/CUH hospitals in Cork.
Since 2018 he has worked as a locum Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon in
Beaumont and now has been appointed as a Consultant surgeon in Connolly Hospital. He has developed a special interest in the use of interventional endoscopy for the non invasive treatment of conditions of the oesophaus and stomach.
In 2022 he completed a Master in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, one of the biggest centres in Europe, where he focused on the endoscopic treatment of obesity, including intragastric balloon placement and gained experience with endoscopic gastric sleeve procedures and endoscopic revisions of gastric bypass
Registered Endocrinologist
Dr Matilde Mijares Zamuner completed her Higher Specialist Training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition in Alicante’s University Hospital in 2013. She finished her Master’s Degree in Clinical Research in Spain. During her Specialist Training, Dr. Zamuner gained wide experience in the management of obesity and weightloss medicine, diabetes, thyroid and a wide range of endocrine illnesses.
Dr Mijares Zamuner moved to Ireland in 2014 and completed a research fellowship in diabetes mellitus at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Since then, Dr Mijares Zamuner has provided a clinical service in endocrinology and builds upon the experience gained in Spain in the medical management of obesity. Her assessment of each patient can help identify those who may be suitable for a trial of prescribed medication before and after an operation. This can maximise weight loss and ensure each patient’s health is optimised after in the aftermath of surgery.
Matilde’s expertise in preparing patients for surgery and in following patients after surgery is central to the overall programme of care provided for by Blackrock WeightCare.
Registered Psychologist
Dr Finian Fallon provides psychological support and assessments for patients seeking bariatric surgery. Finian collaborates with a number of bariatric teams in Ireland. He has published and contributed to articles in obesity studies, and was a Research Fellow at St. Vincents University Hospital, providing group supports for patients living with obesity. He has also worked as Dean of Psychology at a private college in Dublin, where he developed education programmes related to CBT, Addiction and Traumatology.
His academic activities include External Examinerships and supporting PhD students through their formation. He has also presented at the SCOPE School on Obesity. SCOPE is a world leading provider of training on Obesity and presents lectures by leading international experts.
Finian is particularly interested in the psychological impact of obesity and the part that stigma, including stigma directed towards the self, plays in making obesity such a difficult issue to live with for many. He is also aware of the impact of trauma in the lives of some patients living with obesity. He has published a widely reported study of trauma and wellbeing among over two thousand Irish police (Garda) participants, and has been described in the media as one of Ireland’s leading psychologists.
Read how weight loss surgery and our care has helped change the lives of our patients.
Emer O’Driscoll holds an MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Ulster, Coleraine (2014). Emer has experience in clinical and outpatient settings, in particular, her passions are intuitive eating, counselling, and weight management. Emer is actively involved in the support of patients before and after weight loss surgery. She recognises the importance of consistent follow-up care with a dietitian through your pre and post-surgical journey.
She holds a certificate in Motivational Interviewing from the National Institute for Preventive Cardiology (NIPC) and is a Certified Intuitive Eating counsellor. Emer developed and leads the SUCCEED Programme. She is a member of the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI) and a CORU registered dietitian.
David Johnston is a Senior Dietitian at Blackrock WeightCare. He holds a BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin, and has completed additional training in behaviour change skills and the delivery of evidence-based obesity management.
David has worked in rehabilitation and integrated care services in both Ireland and Australia, supporting patients living with obesity, diabetes and other long-term health conditions. Chronic disease management has been a key area of interest throughout his career, and he understands the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when supporting people with obesity.
As part of the Blackrock WeightCare team, David provides education and follow-up care for patients before and after surgery. He helps patients prepare for surgery, supports them as they adjust to changes in eating and drinking afterwards, and works with them to build sustainable habits that support long-term health and weight management.
David is a CORU registered dietitian and a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). His approach is practical and patient-centred, with a focus on helping patients better understand their nutrition and managing it in a way that works for them.
Niamh Forster is a Senior Dietitian at Blackrock WeightCare, with 6 years of experience working with people living with obesity and supporting them with practical nutrition and lifestyle advice. She has worked in both clinical and outpatient settings, including weight management, and has a particular interest in supporting patients before and after bariatric surgery.
Niamh holds a BSc in Human Nutrition and an MSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from University College Dublin, completed in 2020. She has also completed further training in Behaviour Change, Intuitive Eating Counselling and Nutrition for PCOS.
She is a CORU registered dietitian and a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI).
As part of the Blackrock WeightCare team, Niamh supports patients in making sense of the dietary changes that come with bariatric surgery and helps them build habits that are realistic, manageable and suited to everyday life. Her approach is practical, evidence-based and centred around the individual, with a strong focus on supporting patients in a way that feels steady, respectful and achievable.
Nikki O’Toole is a Bariatric Candidate CNS at Blackrock WeightCare, with over 18 years of nursing experience and a strong background in surgical nursing. She has worked in Blackrock Clinic for more than 10 years, caring for bariatric patients at ward level and now supporting patients throughout their journey before and after surgery.
Nikki holds a BSc Degree in Nursing and has recently completed a course in An Integrated Approach to Cardiometabolic Chronic Disease. In her role, Nikki provides education, preparation and ongoing support to patients at each stage of their journey. She helps patients feel informed and ready for surgery, and continues to support them after their procedure, both during their hospital stay and long after they go home. She understands how important it is for patients to feel reassured and know that support is always there when they need it.
Nikki gets great fulfilment in being part of transformation for patients and their families. She is committed to helping each patient feel cared for and confident throughout their time with Blackrock WeightCare.
Susan Healy is a Bariatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at Blackrock WeightCare, with more than 20 years of nursing experience and a long-standing specialist interest in bariatric care. She first began working with bariatric patients in Australia almost 19 years ago and has been caring for bariatric patients in Blackrock Clinic for the past 10 years. She became a Bariatric CNS in June 2024.
Susan holds a BSc Degree in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse (RN) and Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) through the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). She is also a member of BOMSS, the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society.
In her role, Susan supports patients right through their bariatric journey, both physically and emotionally, with a strong focus on education, reassurance and ongoing care. She is a steady point of contact before and after surgery, helping patients feel informed, prepared and well supported. Susan is passionate about providing patient-centred care and believes that people should be met with compassion and respect at all times. She takes great satisfaction in seeing the positive difference bariatric surgery can make and is committed to making sure each person feels listened to and supported throughout their journey.
Dr Matilde Mijares Zamuner is a Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Blackrock WeightCare, with a particular interest in obesity, diabetes and the medical management of weight-related conditions. She graduated from medical school at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas and completed her Higher Specialist Training in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition at Alicante University Hospital in Spain in 2013. She also completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research in Spain.
During her specialist training in Spain, she gained extensive experience in the management of metabolic conditions, including obesity and related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She moved to Ireland in 2014 and completed a research fellowship in diabetes at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
As part of the Blackrock WeightCare team, Dr Mijares Zamuner supports patients by assessing hormonal, metabolic and nutritional factors that may be contributing to weight gain, including conditions such as PCOS and thyroid disease. She also works closely with patients before and after bariatric surgery and is involved in the medical treatment of obesity, including prescribed medication where appropriate.
Dr Mijares Zamuner is a member of the Irish Endocrine Society, the Spanish Endocrine and Diabetes Society, the European Society of Endocrinology and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Her approach is centred on helping patients understand obesity as a chronic disease and supporting them in a clear and compassionate way to improve their long-term health and quality of life.
Achille Mastrosimone is a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon with a specialist interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and bariatric and metabolic surgery. He works across Connolly Hospital, Hermitage Clinic and Blackrock Clinic, and is also an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
He holds an MD, a PhD in Clinical and Molecular Oncology, a Professional Diploma in Clinical Leadership from RCSI, and a Master in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery from Gemelli Hospital, Rome.
As part of the Blackrock WeightCare team, he supports patients through pre-operative endoscopic assessment and post-operative endoscopic follow-up.
Excitingly, Achille also brings expertise in endobariatric procedures, including TORe (Transoral Outlet Reduction), to help manage post-bypass weight regain and dumping syndrome.
Achille is registered on the Irish Medical Council Specialist Register in General Surgery and is a member of IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders), ESGE (European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy), ISDE (International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus) and EAES (European Association for Endoscopic Surgery).
His approach is centred on giving patients clear, compassionate and personalised support, helping them feel informed, reassured and well cared for before and after endoscopy.
Dr Finian Fallon provides psychological support and assessments for patients seeking bariatric surgery at Blackrock WeightCare. He works closely with bariatric teams in Ireland and has a strong interest in supporting patients as they prepare for surgery and adjust to the changes that come with it.
Finian has contributed to research and published work in the area of obesity, and was previously a Research Fellow at St Vincent’s University Hospital, where he provided group support for people living with obesity. He has also worked as Dean of Psychology at a private college in Dublin, where he developed education programmes in areas including CBT, addiction and traumatology.
His academic work has included External Examinerships and supporting PhD students in their development. He has also presented at the SCOPE School on Obesity, an internationally recognised training programme in obesity led by experts in the field.
Finian has a particular interest in the psychological impact of obesity, including the effect of stigma and self-stigma on people’s lives. He is also very aware of the role trauma can play for some patients living with obesity. His research includes a widely reported study on trauma and wellbeing among more than 2,000 members of An Garda Síochána.
His approach is thoughtful, respectful and compassionate, with a strong focus on helping patients feel understood, supported and well prepared throughout their journey.
Professor John McDermott is Consultant Endocrinologist at the Hermitage Medical Clinic. Working closely with Mr Robb and the team at Blackrock WeightCare, he supports patients through their weight loss journey with a focus on metabolic health, endocrine assessment and long-term aftercare. He plays an important role in guiding patients before and after bariatric surgery, and supporting them as they adjust to the hormonal, metabolic and lifestyle changes that follow treatment.
Professor McDermott graduated from the University of Galway with first-class honours and the gold medal for first place in medicine. Following his specialist training, he was appointed as a Consultant Endocrinologist in 2007. He has extensive experience in endocrinology, diabetes and general internal medicine, and a strong commitment to clinical research and medical education.
Dr Conor Woods is an Endocrinologist and Bariatric Physician at Blackrock WeightCare, with specialist interests in obesity medicine, endocrinology and diabetes. He completed his undergraduate medical training at RCSI and his Higher Specialist Training in Endocrinology in Ireland. He also holds a PhD from UCD in steroid metabolism and obesity, and completed a fellowship in Oxford.
Dr Woods supports patients with the medical assessment and management of obesity and related metabolic conditions. As part of the multidisciplinary team, he helps ensure patients are well informed, appropriately assessed and supported throughout their care.
Barkha Jain is the Digital Marketing Manager at Blackrock WeightCare, with over 20 years of experience in advertising, marketing and business development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from DAVV University, India, and a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing from UCD, Ireland.
For the past 10 years, she has specialised in healthcare marketing, working with surgeons across bariatric surgery, plastic surgery, respiratory medicine, IVF and orthopaedics. Before moving to Ireland, she founded a digital marketing agency in India in 2016 and worked with healthcare clients across the country, including spending 8 years with Mohak Bariatrics, an internationally renowned bariatric service in Indore, India. Barkha has facilitated a collaboration between Mohak Bariatrics and Blackrock WeightCare – a connection we are proud to have established.
Her work is rooted in a genuine belief that healthcare communication should do more than promote services. It should bring clarity, build trust and help people make informed decisions for their health and wellbeing.
Susan Anderson is a Patient Co-Ordinator at Blackrock WeightCare and is often the first point of contact for patients enquiring about weight loss surgery. Susan speaks with patients by phone to guide them through the process, answer their questions and provide clear information about the process from first appointment, assessment for surgery and our dedicated follow up program of care. She follows up with detailed information on the next steps, helping patients feel informed from the outset.
Susan also attends clinics and values meeting patients in person, offering support as they move through different stages of treatment. She understands that reaching out about bariatric surgery can feel like a big step and how important it is for patients to be given time, information and reassurance to make the decision that is right for them.
With almost two decades of experience working in a hospital setting, Susan is committed to helping each patient feel comfortable, informed and well supported from their first contact with Blackrock WeightCare.
Lucy O’Shea is a Patient Co-Ordinator at Blackrock WeightCare, where she supports patients throughout all phases of their treatment – from bariatric surgery, to medical follow up with optimisation of health and weight and then also co-ordinating body contouring surgery for those patients who require this final phase.
Lucy helps guide patients through each stage of the process, from explaining what to expect and preparing them for consultations to providing support before and after surgery.
Working closely with the clinical team, Lucy ensures that patients feel informed, supported and reassured throughout their journey to better health. She understands that this can be a significant step, and Lucy is committed to making the experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
Lucy helps each patient feel heard, supported and at ease throughout their care with Blackrock WeightCare.
Maria Cray is the Practice Manager at Blackrock WeightCare, with over 20 years of experience managing busy private surgical clinics. Before joining the team, she spent two decades as Practice Manager for a consultant eye surgeon, where she ran a successful multi-staff practice and supported patients through every stage of their care.
She brings a calm, organised and caring approach to the role, with a great understanding of what patients need from specialist care. From coordinating appointments and referrals to helping manage surgical schedules, Maria plays a central role in ensuring that every patient’s experience is as smooth as possible.
WIth the whole team, Maria creates a welcoming and professional environment where patients feel supported, informed and genuinely cared for throughout their journey with Blackrock WeightCare.
