WAMS is a specialist service supporting people living with obesity who are motivated to explore behavioural, medical and/or surgical management of their weight.
We are a friendly team offering support and guidance to help you lose weight and improve your health and wellbeing.
The team includes consultant endocrinologists (medical doctors), dietitians, psychologists, a pharmacist, and office staff.
How does the service work?
WAMS is a 12 month service where you will be offered an assessment appointment followed by a support plan. This will be tailored to you.
As you progress through the service, the team will discuss your care to find the best way to continue supporting you.
Our approach
We hope that you feel respected and valued during your time in our service. We are not here to shame or blame. Our approach is to view obesity as a complex, long-term health condition.
Please be reassured that we would like to hear about what is actually happening in your life, rather than what you think we might want to hear. We are here to listen and help you to achieve the most positive outcomes that you can, and this is only really possible if you feel able to be open and honest about your situation.
What can you expect at your initial assessment?
At your first appointment you will speak with a consultant endocrinologist who will check for any medical causes for obesity and check other medical problems that may need treatment. You may be referred for further tests if considered necessary. These may include: blood tests, CT scans, camera investigations (endoscope).
You will speak to a dietitian to understand your eating habits and explore your relationship with food, both now as well as in the past. We understand this can be difficult, but we encourage you to share what you can so that we can help you as best as possible.
You may also see a psychologist who will ask about your wellbeing and help you to identify how your thoughts and feelings may be affecting your weight. They might make some suggestions to help you with your mood and work towards making changes.
What can you expect after your initial assessment?
After these first meetings, we will agree on a weight management plan for you. Sometimes we will need to signpost people onto other services before we can offer support. This is so that they are ready and able to work on their goals with our team.
Most of our interventions are offered in an online group format, for example:
The Mood and Food programme
A blend of nutrition advice and support with the psychological aspects of eating – jointly run by dietitians and psychologists.
Our Coping with Emotion programme
A space in which to develop coping strategies for emotional eating behaviours – run by the psychology team.
Quotes from people who have attended sessions:
- “The group sessions I have attended have been excellent and very informative.”
- “Positive environment, non-judgemental, non-prescriptive. Lots of really useful advice and tips.”
There is the possibility of 1-1 sessions if the team feel that there are strong reasons for this. These may be online, via the phone, or in-person, depending on the situation.
Medical management of weight
Some people may be able to have medication to support weight loss. When available, this will be prescribed in line with local and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
People who are being prescribed medication for weight management by our team are able to receive this support for up to two years.
Bariatric surgery (‘weight loss surgery’)
We work closely with members of the bariatric surgery service which is made up of surgeons, dietitians, psychologists and a nurse specialist.
Some people in the weight management service are interested in bariatric surgery, others are not, and some people are unable to have it for various reasons.
It is normal for people to need support and preparation to make sure that they are ready for surgery. Our aim is to prepare people for the significant dietary and psychological changes which are required for surgery to be effective and safe.
Please note that completing your weight management plan in the WAMS service does not necessarily guarantee that you would be eligible for bariatric surgery.
It is our policy that people who miss appointments without giving any notice, or cancel more than two consecutive appointments, may be discharged back to the care of their GP.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published May 2026. Review due May 2029. NBT002960.