Plastic surgery

It’s perfectly natural to find areas of our body that we’re not entirely happy with. With modern advancements in surgery, you have plenty of options for making cosmetic adjustments to help you look the way you want to look. But what about when you face issues that aren’t purely aesthetic?

Perhaps you were born with a birth disorder that has caused disfigurement, knocking your self-confidence. You may have experienced trauma, disease, or severe burns which have hampered your lifestyle and stopped you doing the things you love. 

By focusing on a reconstructive element, plastic surgery aims to restore function, using the best evidence-based solutions and expertise of our highly experienced consultants at Mount Alvernia.  

Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a broad specialty, focusing on repairing damaged tissue to improve the function and/or appearance. Such tissue damage may have occurred for a number of reasons, such as: 

• Physical trauma 
• Burns 
• Disease 
• Birth defect or disorder 

Reconstruction surgery for facial and body defects may include dealing with various aspects of skin cancer, post-cancer reconstruction (such as a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy), and other injuries.

Whether you’re exploring these ideas for the first time, or you’ve been considering plastic surgery for some time, we’d love to see you for a consultation to help you find the best solution to your problems. The Mount Alvernia Hospital offers consultations on plastics and reconstructive surgery to patients based in Surrey, the South East, and further afield, giving you clear, concise information about potential procedures and highlighting any available alternatives. 

Our consultants offer an extensive array of procedures to help restore function and improve appearance, all carried out in our state-of-the-art operating theatres. Supported by a team of dedicated nurses and anaesthetists, Mount Alvernia brings unmatched experience and all-encompassing personalised care to get you your desired results. 

Breast reconstruction (for both men and women) may be considered, especially after a mastectomy, allowing you to regain the natural shape and appearance of your breast. A mastectomy is often required to treat breast cancer, so your consultant may talk to you about the possibility of reconstruction surgery at the same time, if appropriate. Reconstruction is often performed by moving part of the latissimus dorsi (the large muscle in your back) to your chest, with added implants to achieve the desired shape and size.

Scar revision surgery can be offered for those with painful, sensitive, or unsightly scarring as a result of an injury, burns, or previous surgery. This can often be done under local anaesthetic as a day case operation, where your surgeon can excise the scar, re-stitching the area to make it far less visible, or even re-align the scar with the natural creases and folds of your skin. For those who may not need surgery, a referral for Scar Management may be beneficial, where desensitisation exercises can help reduce symptoms of pain and sensitivity.  

Skin grafts can help damaged tissue after an injury, disease, or skin cancer, involving healthy skin being taken from one area of your body to cover the damaged skin. 

Rhinoplasty is a procedure used in the reshaping of your nose. Although this is often a form of cosmetic surgery purely for aesthetic reasons, it can also be done for functional reasons, like breathing difficulties caused by a deviated septum (the cartilage separating your nostrils). 

Any consultation at Mount Alvernia begins with your consultant taking a detailed medical history to allow them to get to know you and the issues you’ve been facing. They may ask questions such as: 

• What aspect of your appearance has been causing you problems? 
• How long have you had these problems? 
• Have you tried any other treatments? 
• Do you have a specific procedure in mind or do you need advice and guidance? 
• Are you currently taking any medication? 
• What outcomes are you hoping for? 

Depending on the symptoms or difficulties you’ve mentioned, your consultant may wish to perform a physical examination to assess the health of the indicated area.

By the end of the consultation, you will know the full benefits of any surgical and non-surgical options as well as expected outcomes, based on your condition and medical history.

This is a two-way discussion which enables your consultant to advise you on the most appropriate options to help get you the results you are looking for.

Certain follow-up scans may be required, such as a mammogram before breast reconstruction surgery. It can also be useful in cases where you have had surgery in the past; for example, if you have had breast implants and have been experiencing problems, an MRI scan be carried out to assess the extent of the damage before further treatment is administered. These can all be undertaken in our extensive Imaging department on-site.

With any relevant information gained from these scans, your consultant can then offer a treatment plan, outlining their approach to surgery. This will cover both the risks and benefits of each procedure, setting appropriate expectations about what is achievable and realistic.

Follow-up appointments may be arranged to finalise plans for surgery, while also giving you time to consider your options and make an informed decision. 

By choosing to have your treatment at Mount Alvernia, you’ll be able to take advantage of all these great benefits: 

• Assessments ASAP – If you’ve reached a point where you’re considering plastic surgery, you’ll want to be seen by a consultant without any delay. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can begin planning for your surgery or treatment at the earliest stage, bringing you closer to your desired goals. 
• Patient satisfaction – 98% of patients in 2020 said they would happily recommend the Mount Alvernia Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98% also said that the quality of care here at Mount Alvernia Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved. 
• Same day surgery – Certain procedures can be performed on a day case basis, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for various plastic and cosmetic treatments. Local anaesthetic procedures are available in our Ambulatory Care Unit with an experienced theatre nurse on hand for added support. With patients able to return home on the same day, this efficient service saves you time and cuts down on unnecessary extra journeys.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is especially vital for cosmetic surgery, as every patient is different, with different needs and desires. By spending time getting to know you and understanding your concerns, your consultant can offer a personalised service to bring you the results you need. 
• A multidisciplinary approach – Our teams at Mount Alvernia work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Your Plastics consultants will work closely with Ear, Nose, and Throat specialists, Dermatologists and Oncologists, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses to ensure you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics five days a week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.

If you have been struggling with a particular aspect of your appearance which causes functional issues for you, why not book a consultation with us at Mount Alvernia? Our consultants can listen to your story and get to understand what you hope to achieve, outlining all treatment options for you promptly to help bring you a boost of confidence, restoring normal function.

For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Mount Alvernia to book an appointment now.