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
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01273 627007 (Brighton) / 01444 476732 (Haywards Heath) / 07878 434521 (Medical Secretary)

About

Mr. Antonios Athanasiou is a Consultant Laparoscopic and Robotic Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at the University Hospitals of Sussex NHS Trust, specializing in keyhole (minimally invasive) surgery. He is an expert in laparoscopic and robotic procedures for gallbladder disease (gallstones, gallbladder removal), hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, incisional, femoral), acid reflux (GERD), and hiatus hernias.
Currently, he is the clinical lead of the Upper GI department at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. In 2022, he introduced the Upper GI robotic surgery service at the University Hospitals of Sussex NHS Trust and has since performed over 400 robotic procedures using the Da Vinci Robot XI.
Mr. Athanasiou’s surgical training covered the full spectrum of general surgery and upper gastrointestinal surgery, with a final specialty fellowship at St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds. He has extensive experience in bariatric surgery and offers a wide range of minimally invasive treatments for acid reflux, hiatal hernias, and swallowing disorders (achalasia, esophageal dysmotility).
During his training, Mr. Athanasiou earned a PhD in liver regeneration and has a strong research background in minimally invasive surgical techniques, patient care innovation, and obesity-related metabolic conditions. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles on general and upper GI surgery, robotic surgery, and keyhole procedures.
Beyond his clinical work, he has a longstanding commitment to medical education. He is an educational supervisor for trainees at various levels, including senior Upper GI surgeons. Since 2020, he has also been a senior lecturer at Brighton & Sussex Medical School.
Mr. Athanasiou provides patients with clear, honest advice on treatment options, risks, and benefits, prioritizing their safety, well-being, and long-term health outcomes.


Special interests

✅ Hernia Repair (Keyhole hernia surgery, groin hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, femoral hernia)
✅ Gallbladder Surgery (Gallbladder removal, keyhole gallbladder surgery, gallstones treatment)
✅ Acid Reflux & 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 & 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)
  • 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
  • Bilateral (inguinal) hernia repair
  • Gastrointestinal tract
  • Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
  • Hernia unilateral
  • Trauma Surgery
  • 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
  • The Exeter Friendly
  • Vitality Health (Pru Health)
  • Bupa

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.