In this episode, Ioannis Ntanos (he/him) is joined by Lilia Koss, PR Manager at Facialteam, the internationally renowned gender affirming surgical group based in Spain.

Lilia and her team have been building meaningful connections between gender affirming healthcare and the trans community since 2010, across the UK and beyond with the aim of understanding what patients actually need, and making sure Facialteam shows up as a positive presence beyond just its clinics.

Together, Ioannis and Lilia explore why peer support matters just as much as surgical excellence, and what genuinely patient-centred care looks like when it's built from the ground up. 

The pair talk about the upcoming Gender Affirming Health Forum, now in its fourth edition, which comes to London on Monday 6th July 2026.

They speak on why surgery is just one part of a much bigger picture, and what it looks like to build a healthcare model that acknowledges that honestly: from psychologists and guest experience teams to a healing sanctuary and, most recently, a new centre launched in January 2026 dedicated to post-surgical group support.

The conversation also turns to EPATH 2027, which Facialteam will host in Granada, Spain - and why Lilia is determined to bring community organisations into that space in a way that professional conferences rarely manage. Ioannis recalls how the presence of community members at a previous event entirely changed the atmosphere, and they reflect together on what it would mean to make that the norm rather than the exception.

Finally they discuss travelling for surgery - the focus of Ioannis’ talk at the event on July 6th - and the deliberate care Facialteam puts into addressing the barriers that exist in this area.

Featured Guest: 

Lilia Koss is PR Manager at Facialteam, where she has worked since 2010. She has represented Facialteam at community events, Prides, and professional conferences across the UK and internationally, including Sparkle, Trans Pride Brighton, EPATH, and WPATH, and has been instrumental in developing Facialteam's community partnerships and the Gender Affirming Health Forum.

Connect & Learn More

Find Ioannis Ntanos: LinkedIn: Ioannis Ntanos Instagram: @ioannisntanos Threads: @ioannisntanos

Resources: Learn more about top surgery at ioannisntanos.com 

Find out more about Facialteam at facialteam.eu Instagram: @facialteam | Register for the 4th Gender Affirming Health Forum in London (6th July 2026) at facialteam.eu/4th-gender-affirming-health-forum/

About The Podcast: The Top Surgery Podcast explores the intersection of healthcare, advocacy, and community through candid conversations with experts, patients, and allies. New episodes released every month.