Mr Antonios Athanasiou
Qualifications
MD, MSc, PhD, FRCS
GMC number: 7512942
Practising since: 2006
Specialties
General Surgery
Consultation times
- Haywards Heath – Tuesday evenings 19:00–20:30
- Brighton – Thursday evenings 18:00–20:00
- Overview
About
Mr Antonios Athanasiou is a Consultant Laparoscopic and Robotic Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at University Hospitals of Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in advanced keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery.
He has particular expertise in gallbladder disease (including gallstones and laparoscopic gallbladder removal), abdominal wall hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, incisional, and femoral hernias), acid reflux (GERD), and hiatus hernias.
He is currently the Clinical Lead for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. In 2022, he established the Upper GI robotic surgery service at University Hospitals of Sussex and has since performed over 500 robotic procedures using the Da Vinci Xi robotic system.
Mr Athanasiou has extensive experience in the assessment and management of gallbladder disease in patients undergoing medical weight loss, including those using GLP-1 receptor agonist injections such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy. He frequently reviews patients who develop abdominal pain, pancreatitis, gallstones, or gallbladder-related symptoms during or following significant weight loss, offering expert advice on appropriate investigations, risk assessment, monitoring, and treatment options, including minimally invasive gallbladder surgery where indicated.
His surgical training encompassed the full spectrum of general and upper gastrointestinal surgery, with a specialist fellowship at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds. He also has significant experience in bariatric and metabolic surgery, with a strong understanding of obesity-related conditions and their impact on the gallbladder and digestive system.
Mr Athanasiou holds a PhD in liver regeneration and has a strong academic background in minimally invasive surgery, patient-centred innovation, and metabolic disease. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications in upper GI surgery, robotic surgery, and laparoscopic techniques.
Alongside his clinical practice, he is deeply committed to education and training. He serves as an educational supervisor for surgeons at multiple levels and has been a Senior Lecturer at Brighton & Sussex Medical School since 2020.
Mr Athanasiou is known for providing clear, honest, and balanced advice, ensuring patients fully understand their condition and treatment options. His approach prioritizes safety, evidence-based decision-making, and long-term health outcomes.
Find out more on Mr Athanasiou's website.
Special interests
- Gallstones associated with medical weight loss – assessment and management of gallbladder disease and abdominal pain in patients using weight-loss medications (including GLP-1 injections such as Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy)
- Hernia repair – keyhole hernia surgery, groin hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, femoral hernia
- Gallbladder surgery – gallbladder removal, keyhole gallbladder surgery, gallstones treatment
- Acid reflux and GERD surgery – heartburn surgery, acid reflux operation, anti-reflux surgery
- LINX® reflux surgery – magnetic ring for reflux, acid reflux device, alternative to fundoplication
- Hiatal hernia repair – keyhole hiatal hernia surgery, stomach hernia repair, paraesophageal hernia
- Minimally Invasive surgery – keyhole surgery, laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery
- Endoscopy services – camera test for stomach, Barrett’s esophagus monitoring, acid reflux diagnosis
- Swallowing disorders – achalasia treatment, difficulty swallowing, esophageal dysmotility
- Appendix surgery – laparoscopic appendectomy, appendix removal
- Lumps and bumps removal – cyst removal, lipoma removal, skin lesion removal.
Other interests
Robotic Surgery, obesity surgery, gastro-oesophageal reflux,
advanced laparoscopic surgery and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Personal interests
Mr Antonios Athanasiou enjoys tennis, watching football,
playing chess and a glass of fine wine.
Languages spoken
English, Greek
Treatments and tests offered by Mr Antonios Athanasiou at Nuffield Health
- Appendicectomy
- Open surgery groin hernia repair
- Gastroscopy (or gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy)
- Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
- Reflux surgery (fundoplication)
- Bilateral inguinal hernia repair
- Endoscopy
- Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal)
- Laparoscopic groin hernia repair
- Colorectal surgery
- Laparoscopic reflux surgery (fundoplication)
- Ileostomy
- Abdominal adhesion surgery
- Gastroesophageal
- Soft tissue lump service
- Splenectomy
- Excisional biopsy
- Umbilical hernia repair
- Hernia repair
- Excision of skin lesion
- Biliary and renal drainage
- Diagnostic endoscopy
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Hernia unilateral
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
- Bile duct resection
Locations Mr Antonios Athanasiou works with
Related experience
Research
Whilst he was training, Mr Athanasiou gained his PhD in liver regeneration which has been published widely. His research interests have included minimally invasive surgical techniques, improvement of patient care through innovation and the metabolic implications of obesity. He has been widely published in numerous field-related, peer-reviewed journals.
https://scholar.google.gr/citations?user=5GxIiGEAAAAJ&hl=el
Memberships
- Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS Eng)
- Association of Upper GI Surgeons (AUGIS)
- British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS)
- The British Hernia Society
- Member of the European Association for Cancer Research
Other posts held
- Consultant Oesophagogastric, General and Minimally Invasive Surgeon - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust
Insurers Mr Antonios Athanasiou works with
Mr Antonios Athanasiou works with the following private medical insurance providers:
- Aviva Health
- AXA Health
- AXA - Global Healthcare
- Cigna
- Vitality Health (Pru Health)
- Bupa
- Healix
- WPA
- The Exeter
Declaration
Mr Antonios Athanasiou does not hold a share or financial interest in this hospital, another Nuffield Health hospital or the company.
Mr Antonios Athanasiou does not have a share or financial interest in equipment used at this hospital or another Nuffield Health hospital.
Mr Antonios Athanasiou does not hold any paid advisory role(s) at this hospital or on behalf of Nuffield Health.
Free events with Mr Antonios Athanasiou
Meet our Experts: Gallstones
Tuesday 3 March 2026
Brighton Hospital
Mr Antonios Athanasiou
This complimentary event is for anyone who would like more information and help on gallstones.
Book your place now