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During our first consultation, I will take a detailed history of the problem for which you are seeing me as well as performing a physical examination as required.

I will discuss my thoughts with you about the underlying cause of the problem and the recommended steps to manage it, whether it be further tests, medical treatment or a surgical procedure. I will go into detail about the potential benefits and risks which these may entail.

If an operation is planned, we will fill in the necessary paperwork at the time of this visit. We may be able to pencil in a date for the surgery at this time as well.

NHS and private patients seen at the Montefiore Hospital in Brighton and Hove
will have their operation by Mr Athanasiou at Montefiore Hospital in Brighton, Royal Sussex County Hospital or Princes Royal Hospital in Haywards Hewath.

NHS patients seen in University Hospital Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, will have their operation by Mr Antonios Athanasiou or one of his team under direct supervision.

If you are going to undergo surgery, there are a few things to know

• For most procedures you will need to fast from midnight the night before the procedure to ensure your stomach is empty. This includes both solids and fluids.

The reason for this is that when you are being put under a general anaesthetic, there is a risk of vomiting and inhaling the contents into your lungs which can lead to potentially serious pneumonia. Fortunately the risk is minimized significantly by fasting.

• Most medications may be taken in the morning with a sip of water – we will give you instructions.

• Certain medications, such as blood-thinning agents, will need to be withheld prior to surgery. You will be given clear instructions about when to stop these

Mr Athanasiou will attempt the operation by a key-hole approach provided it is safe to do so.

Key-hole surgery is a technique that allows the surgeon to perform a procedure inside the body through a small incision in the skin compared with larger scars.

The main advantage is that offers more rapid recovery and return to usual activities.
Similarly, cancer operations are currently performed by a key-hole approach, except if Mr Athanasiou feels that this approach will compromise the safety and effectiveness of the operation

No. Most of our surgeries are ambulatory.

You typically come in 2 hours before your operation and stay about 4-6 hours after the operation. Please leave the whole day open.

Following your healthcare provider’s post-op instructions and keeping your follow-up medical appointments are vital to your post-surgery recovery.

10 post-operative tips ought to serve you well, ensuring that you heal both quickly and properly.

1. Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Instructions
2. Keep Your Follow-Up Appointments
3. Prevent Infection
4. Inspect Your Incision
5. Care for Your Incision the Right Way
6. Drink and Eat Properly
7. Cough and Sneeze Carefully
8. Know When to go to the A&E
9. Control Your Pain
10. Get Moving

A hernia is usually diagnosed by your doctor after an exam and sometimes some additional testing, according to the The British Hernia Society tests that might be used to diagnose a hernia include:
• Ultrasound
• Barium X-ray
• CT scan
• Endoscopy

Anything in the stomach causes the gallbladder to squeeze, even a glass of water, but it squeezes harder when there is fat in the stomach. So anything greasy, fried foods, pizza, will stimulate the gallbladder even harder and make it squeeze harder. if there is a gallstone, it will make the gallbladder attack much, much worse.

But fat in the stomach causes the gallbladder to squeeze harder. And foods that are fried and greasy make the gallbladder work even harder. Having a gallstone can cause the attack to be much worse.

According to the National Health Service (NHS) you’re more likely to get gallstones if you:

• Are a woman
• Are older than 60
• Are pregnant
• Eat a high cholesterol diet
• Eat a low-calorie diet and have recently lost weight quickly
• Have a family history of gallstones
• Are overweight or obese
• Take birth control pills
• Have diabetes

A person should take gallbladder removal into consideration if it is causing problems such as pain after eating.The pain from ongoing gallbladder disease usually is felt in the mid portion of the abdomen and can also move around to the back.
According to the National Health System (NHS) most people who have their gallbladder removed have the following symptoms:
• Nausea
• Epigastric pain – pain after eating that is usually in the
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• upper right or upper middle of the belly area
• Fever
• Gas
• Heartburn
When these issues become a chronic, ongoing problem, it might be time to consider having the gallbladder removed.

Barrett’s Oesophagus refers to a condition that is caused by reflux of acid from the stomach into the oesophagus (GORD).

The acid can injure the lining of the oesophagus causing ulceration. As the tissue tries to heal, the cells undergo a change (metaplasia). Instead of looking like normal oesophagus lining, they resemble the lining of the small bowel or stomach.

The normal lining of the oesophagus is “white” when viewed with a gastroscope. The lining of the stomach / small bowel is red. Where the oesophagus and stomach meet, a distinct line of “white meets red” is seen – the “Z” line.

When Barrett’s change occurs, there is an extension of “red” tissue upward along the oesophagus and the Z line becomes irregular. Biopsies reveal cells that look more like small bowel than oesophagus. This confirms a diagnosis of Barretts.

Concerned?
If you are concerned about Barrett’s Oesophagus or have symptoms that you think may be related to Barrett’s Oesophagus, Mr Athanasiou would be happy to help.