Cosmetic surgery

Whether you are male or female, we offer a range of Plastic and Cosmetic surgery procedures. Plastic Surgery can help improve the effects of ageing, weight loss or other life events such as pregnancy and childbirth.

Diet and exercise can help transform your body but are often limited with what they can achieve. Physical changes may be present from birth or occur as the result of ageing or injury. Wearing make-up or certain types of clothing can help hide the problem in the short-term. However, over time, our self-esteem, confidence and enjoyment of life can all be affected.

Whether you are looking for minor skin surgery or a major procedure, such as breast reduction, tummy tuck or labiaplasty, our experienced Plastic Surgeons can give you their expert opinion on which surgical procedures would provide you with the best outcome and meet your expectations. Our consultants have a warm, friendly and empathic nature to make you feel at ease, enabling you to freely share your personal concerns regarding your body.

Our Plastic Surgeons are fully UK trained, highly experienced and professional. They are all on the UK's General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register and are full members of BAPRAS, the UK's main regulatory body for Plastic Surgery.

There are a number of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery procedures available for different parts of the body. The most common Plastic Surgery procedures we carry out here at The Shirley Oaks Hospital in Surrey include:

• Surgery for skin lumps and bumps
• Cosmetic Breast Surgery
• Cosmetic Surgery for the Body
• Cosmetic Surgery after major weight loss
• Cosmetic Surgery for the Eyes and Ears
• Cosmetic Surgery for scars

Although benign, skin moles can cause discomfort or even bleed when they catch on clothes or jewellery, when brushing hair or shaving. The area may be growing in size or changing in appearance, or you may feel unhappy and self-conscious about its appearance.

At The Shirley Oaks Hospital in Surrey, in most cases, if you wish, we can offer removal (under local anaesthetic) straight after the consultation, so the process is more efficient and convenient for you.

The skin procedures we commonly perform include:

• Mole removal
• Skin tag removal
• Wart removal
• Cyst removal: a cyst is a small sac containing thick liquid which can flare up and get infected.
• Lipoma removal: a lipoma is a harmless fatty lump that grows under the skin. 
• Split earlobe repair: for elongated or completely split earlobes after years of wearing heavy earrings.

Problems with the appearance of breasts can be noticed either soon after puberty or later on in life, following weight loss, or during or after pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You may be unhappy with the size, shape and asymmetry of your breasts and as a result, feel self-conscious and lacking confidence when it comes to your body. This can affect your relationship with your partner or your confidence to meet a new partner. You may also be restricted in the type of clothes you wear or the activities you feel comfortable doing.

A variety of cosmetic breast procedures are available to help you achieve your desired breast shape and size:

• Breast reduction: large breasts can result in neck, shoulder and back pain. It may be difficult for you to exercise or to find clothes that fit you properly. Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of your breasts to be in proportion to your body frame and uplifts the nipples to give a more youthful shape to the breasts.
• Breast uplift (mastopexy): improves the shape of empty, sagging or droopy breasts which can result from natural ageing, weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding. A breast uplift raises the position of the nipples and improves the breast shape. It can be combined with silicone implants (augmentation mastopexy) if required, to increase breast size as well as to improve their shape.
• Breast enlargement (breast augmentation): small breasts may be noticed after puberty, or breasts can become smaller after weight loss, pregnancy or breastfeeding. Silicone breast implants increase breast size. This can be combined with an uplift if needed to raise the nipple position and to improve the breast shape (called an augmentation mastopexy).
• Surgery after breast implants: you may be unhappy with the appearance of your breasts or the size of the implants used from a previous augmentation. Implants can also rupture or develop capsular contracture, causing distortion of the breast or discomfort. Redo surgery may be required to improve the appearance and relieve your symptoms.
• Breast asymmetry: often noticed after puberty, asymmetry can be improved with either a reduction of the larger breast or an augmentation and uplift to improve the uneven appearance of the breasts.
• Nipple and areola surgery: reduces the size of either the nipples or areola or corrects inverted nipples.

Changes to the body are common, particularly with ageing, after pregnancy and childbirth and after weight loss. Different parts of the body may start to sag, droop and change shape and there may be excess skin and tissue. You might find it difficult do certain activities or to wear the clothes that you wish. This can have a negative impact on your quality of life and self-confidence.

The following procedures can help to remove any excess skin / tissue, tighten and improve the contour of that area:

• Labiaplasty: embarrassment from enlarged or asymmetric labia minora can affect our intimate relationship with your partner. A labiaplasty, performed under local or general anaesthetic, can reduce the size of the labia minora so they are more contoured and in line with the adjacent labia majora.
• Abdominoplasty (full tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck): An overhang of lower abdominal skin is very common with ageing, after weight loss or after having children. An abdominoplasty removes the excess skin, corrects any abdominal muscle separation (rectus divarication) and improves the shape and contour of your tummy. This procedure can be combined with liposuction if needed to give a better contour to the hips and tummy.
• Liposuction: can be performed with minimal scarring to remove excess fat from parts of the body such as, the hips, thighs, flanks, and tummy areas which are resistant to diet and exercise.

After major weight loss, you can end up with an excess of overhanging skin over the arms, thighs and abdomen. You may also be unhappy with the shape of your breasts or buttocks. These changes to your body can be unsightly, restricting the clothes that you’re able to wear and the activities you can do. This will inevitably have a negative impact on your quality of life and self-confidence. A Plastic Surgeon can remove this excess skin to improve your appearance, boost your confidence and help you to regain your life.

• Arm lift (brachioplasty): excess fat and skin on the upper part of your arm can result from weight loss or natural ageing. This can be removed, leaving a long vertical scar hidden over the inner arm.
• Thigh lift: removes excess fat and skin in order to improve the shape and contour of the thighs.
• Lower body lift (belt lipectomy): is a major procedure that removes a circumferential area of excess skin and tissue over the hips and lower abdomen. It improves the appearance of your tummy and gives better shape if you suffered from saggy, flat buttocks.
• Breasts and abdomen: a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can help remove excess abdominal skin and improve the contour. Depending on your breast size and shape, a breast uplift (with or without implants) or a breast reduction procedure can help give a better, more youthful appearance to the breasts.

For the eyes and ears, our consultants commonly undertake:

• Split ear lobe repair: an elongated or completely split ear lobe is usually the result of wearing heavy earrings or from injury from pulling on the ear lobe. Repair can be performed under a local anaesthetic as a minor procedure.
• Prominent ear correction (pinnaplasty or otoplasty): you may be self-conscious of the prominent nature of your ears, trying to hide them with long hair or headwear. Ear correction surgery alters the size or shape of the ears, or pins them back so they do not stick out as much.
• Upper eyelid skin removal (upper blepharoplasty) helps restore a youthful look to the eyes and also reverses any visual problems causes by the excess upper eyelid skin.

You may have a scar from a previous injury, infection, surgery or a body piercing. Sometimes scars can look unsightly, or may heal poorly, becoming lumpy, painful and itchy. Our Consultants can provide scar revision surgery and scar management for you should you desire.

Your first consultation will usually last between 20 - 60 minutes, depending on the procedure(s) you wish to have. Your Consultant will take time to listen to your concerns and to gain a good understanding of what you are aiming to achieve with surgery.

Your Surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and make sure you have all the relevant information you need to make an informed decision. You will be provided with information sheets on the procedures offered to you and shown pre- and post-op photos of patients who have previously had the same procedure so that you have a good idea of the likely outcome. 

Before proceeding with surgery, you will be offered a second consultation with your Plastic Surgeon to discuss any further queries or concerns so that you are fully informed. You will be given time to consider the potential risks and benefits of your procedure.

Choosing to have your plastic and cosmetic surgery done at The Shirley Oaks Hospital comes with a host of benefits:

• Expert assessment ASAP: We can give you fast access to one of the top Plastic Surgeons in the region, who will outline the benefits of all possible treatment options and expected outcomes.
• Your Consultant is your Consultant: The consultant you choose to see for your initial consultation will be the same surgeon who will perform your surgery and see you at all your follow-up appointments. You will never have to worry about seeing a more junior doctor or a different doctor every time you visit.
• High Patient Satisfaction – In our most recent independent report, 97.6% of patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend Shirley Oaks Hospital to friends and family. Peace of mind for you that you can depend on us to take excellent care of you during your time with us.
• Personalised safe care – We believe in a personal approach to treatment and this is especially important for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery. Your Consultant will tailor your surgery to your specific needs and what is in your best interests.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Your Consultant works closely with a number of other specialists. With fast access to Consultants in dermatology as well as radiographers, physiotherapists, and anaesthetists, you’ll always receive the very best care and support throughout your time with us.
• Convenient appointments – We know that life can often be very busy. With appointments available in dedicated clinics, you’ll be able to book an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.

If you’ve been considering Plastic surgery, why not get in touch with us today to book a consultation? Our Consultants would be delighted to talk you through the different options available and to give you a realistic view of what Cosmetic Surgery could achieve for you.