A plastic surgeon has invested a six-figure sum to launch a private plastic surgery clinic in Aberdeen.
The surgeon, Thanassi Athanassopoulos will open the Alpha Clinic in Albyn Terrace, where he will create a consulting clinic with minor surgery procedure rooms and a surgical theatre for day case operations.
The business will be the first privately-owned clinic north of the central belt and will create up to eight jobs, including anaesthetists and nurses.
Mr Athanassopoulos, who studied at Oxford University and Kings College in London, has been a practising plastic surgeon for more than a decade, and has worked in the UK, the Netherlands, Austria and New Zealand.
As well as running the private clinic, Mr Athanasopoulos will continue to work as an NHS consultant at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) and the Children’s Hospital, as well as BMI Albyn Hospital.
He said: “This is a market that has grown in the central belt but not in the north of Scotland, therefore, there is a gap in the market to offer people additional access to a private plastic surgeon trained in cosmetic surgery and hair transplantation.”
He continued: “We want to complement the cosmetic services already available in the city and offer something new.
“Patients will be able to have procedures performed in a more flexible time frame with individual care and follow ups.
“Aesthetics, such as botox and fillers, have benefit and we are offering the next step in cosmetic surgery, which is not just about anti-ageing, it’s about helping to improve overall self-esteem and confidence and deal with body issues.”
Alpha Clinic, which will open next month, has started booking consultations.
In addition to surgical cosmetic procedures and hair transplantation, the clinic will offer traditional plastic and reconstructive surgery including procedures for face/skin cancer, nose and breast reconstruction, burn injuries and scarring.
The clinic has also invested in some of the most advanced technology on the market, including 3D virtual reality simulation software, power-assisted liposuction and water-based liposuction.
Mr Athanassopoulos added: “I want to offer a discreet and bespoke service to my patients in a superior environment and operating my own clinic allows me to select specific equipment for individual cases and greater opportunity to offer a range of services.
“This means that patients can access a range of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical options to deal with body or self-esteem issues.”