Exclusively for Blackrock WeightCare patients looking to complete their weight loss journey
Achieving significant weight loss through bariatric surgery is a major medical and personal success. However, for many patients, excess skin remains long after weight stabilisation – affecting comfort, movement, hygiene, confidence, and quality of life.
At Blackrock WeightCare, we provide specialist post-bariatric plastic surgery and body contouring for patients who have undergone weight loss surgery and now wish to address excess skin. This service is delivered at The Hermitage Clinic, ensuring access to a modern, high-quality surgical environment with the highest standards of patient care.
Our post-bariatric plastic surgery service is designed specifically for patients following significant weight loss and is supported by structured, expert aftercare with a strong focus on wound management, recovery, and ongoing follow-up.
Following major weight loss, the skin often loses its ability to retract. This is particularly common after procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and SADI-S, where weight loss is rapid and substantial.
Post-bariatric body contouring surgery aims to:
Each surgical plan is individualised, reflecting the patient’s anatomy, weight loss history, and recovery goals.
Excess skin is frequently associated with ongoing medical and quality-of-life issues, including:
For many patients, excess skin becomes the final barrier to fully benefiting from their weight loss.
Skin removal surgery is usually considered when:
A detailed consultation is essential to determine appropriate timing and procedure selection.
Ms Silvia Marino
Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
Ms Silvia Marino is a Consultant in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at Blackrock WeightCare, with extensive training in both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. She holds an MD, a PhD, and the European Board Certification in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS).
She completed her specialist training in Italy and has held senior clinical roles in high volume teaching hospitals in Ireland and the United Kingdom, including St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin and the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit in Glasgow. Her experience includes body contouring, breast reconstruction, skin cancer surgery and complex soft tissue reconstruction.
At Blackrock WeightCare, Ms Marino takes a patient centred and evidence based approach to care, with a particular interest in body contouring following weight loss. She places strong emphasis on careful patient selection, realistic goal setting and surgical safety, working closely with patients to achieve natural and proportionate outcomes. She is committed to clear communication and continuity of care throughout each patient’s transformation journey.
Mr Sergio Mitic
Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
Mr Sergio Mitic is a highly experienced Consultant Plastic Surgeon with extensive expertise in body contouring following bariatric surgery. He works closely with the multidisciplinary team at Blackrock WeightCare to support patients in the final stage of their weight loss journey, helping them address excess skin and restore comfort, confidence, and body balance after significant weight loss.
He completed his specialist training in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at University Hospital Virgen del Rocío in Seville, Spain, and undertook advanced training in hand surgery and microsurgery in Madrid and at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. He has worked as a consultant in major public and private hospitals across Spain, including Seville, Cádiz, Málaga, Granada, Madrid, and Ciudad Real, and was part of a specialist microsurgery and reimplantation unit.
Having performed over 15,000 aesthetic procedures, Mr Mitic brings extensive international experience to Ireland and is now focused on developing a dedicated post-bariatric plastic surgery service for patients at Blackrock WeightCare.
His practice emphasises:
Patients are supported from initial consultation through surgery and extended follow-up.
Abdominoplasty addresses excess skin and tissue of the abdomen following weight loss. The extent of surgery varies significantly between patients, depending on:
Procedures may range from a limited lower abdominoplasty to a more extensive full abdominoplasty with muscle repair and repositioning of the umbilicus. In some cases, extended techniques are required to address skin excess toward the flanks.
Weight loss often leads to loss of breast volume, sagging, and altered shape.
A breast lift reshapes and elevates the breast tissue to restore contour and position.
In some patients, breast reduction may also be required if excess tissue remains following weight loss. The exact approach is determined during consultation, based on breast size, shape, and patient goals.
For selected patients, abdominoplasty and breast lift can be safely performed together.
This combined approach:
Brachioplasty removes excess skin from the upper arms, improving contour and ease of movement.
The extent of scarring and tissue removal depends on the degree of skin laxity following weight loss.
This procedure addresses loose skin of the thighs and buttocks, improving:
Techniques vary depending on where excess skin is concentrated.
For suitable patients, combined procedures may be considered to address multiple areas in a single surgery, which can also help reduce overall costs. These cases are carefully planned, with particular attention given to recovery, wound care, and patient safety.
You will meet your plastic surgeon for a comprehensive assessment, including:
Once surgery is agreed:
At Blackrock WeightCare, post-operative care following body contouring surgery is carefully structured around the individual needs of each patient. Recovery requirements will differ depending on the procedure performed, the extent of surgery, and the patient’s progress during healing. For this reason, our follow-up programme is not based on a fixed, one-size-fits-all model, but on clinical need.
As part of their treatment, all patients will have two scheduled follow-up consultations with their plastic surgeon. Where further review is required, this will be arranged as part of the aftercare pathway, without additional professional fees.
Throughout the recovery period, patients have access to:
This approach allows any concerns relating to wound healing, dressings, swelling, or recovery to be assessed promptly and managed appropriately by the clinical team.
The fee for your procedure is fully inclusive and covers:
We believe patients should have clarity and reassurance from the outset. Your treatment fee includes not only the procedure itself, but also the continuity of expert aftercare required to support a safe recovery.
Some patients will progress through recovery with routine post-operative review alone. Others may require additional wound assessments, dressing changes, or nurse-led support. The level of follow-up provided will depend entirely on what is clinically appropriate for you.
Our priority is to ensure that every patient has access to the care, review, and support they need throughout recovery, until healing is complete.
The cost of post-bariatric plastic surgery varies depending on:
Detailed cost information can be obtained by contacting our office and speaking with our support staff, who will be happy to guide you through your options following consultation.
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.
