Plastic surgery

One of the more common phrases our Plastics consultants hear from patients is, “I don’t feel comfortable in my body.” Maybe you feel dissatisfied with the size or shape of your breasts. Perhaps your self-esteem has been hit by the appearance of your stomach, thighs, or upper arms. You may have previously undergone surgery elsewhere and feel disappointed with the results, requiring revision surgery to improve the appearance, or correct any previous issues.

As with any patient considering cosmetic or plastic surgery, you likely have a thousand questions about your options, surgery itself, recovery and after-effects. An initial consultation with one of our expert plastic consultants aims to give you clear, concise information about the type of procedure you desire, as well as highlighting any alternative measures available.

Whatever your concern, Woodlands presents you with options, whether it be for functional or aesthetic reasons. Together, you and your consultant can devise the most appropriate treatment plan to get you feeling body-positive and confident again. 

• Breast augmentation
• Breast reduction
• Breast uplift
• Breast asymmetry correction

These procedures regularly help women regain their confidence.

For older women, effects of the menopause can cause your breasts to slump, which can cause shoulder and neck pain, and a breast uplift can help alleviate this. Younger women may be tired of the unwanted attention to their chest since a young age, making a breast reduction a viable option. Other treatments available include:

• Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck)
• Liposuction Brachioplasty (Upper arm reduction)
• Thigh reductions
• Some facial treatments such as Upper Blepharoplasty (Upper eyelid surgery)

Our consultants also see anyone who may be concerned about moles or skin lesions, which can be assessed and then removed via local anaesthetic as a day case procedure in the clinic. More extensive operations can be done in the theatre, if required. If you’ve noticed a change in appearance of your moles, you’ll want a full skin assessment, and this can be done at Woodlands without delay.

Our consultants work closely with colleagues in Dermatology, seeing patients with skin cancer concerns. Small skin cancers may be removed by the plastic surgeons under local anaesthetic, while other more extensive operations may require a level of reconstructive surgery. This would be outlined for you during any consultation.

• What type of treatment/surgery are you looking for?
• What are the concerns about your body/appearance at the moment?
• How long have you felt this way?
• What outcomes are you expecting?

This allows your consultant to set expectations about what is feasible and realistic through treatment, as well as giving you the chance to outline where your comfort zone lies, and what you’d be happy with. You’ll also have a clear idea of the full benefits of any treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, as well as an idea of expected outcomes, based on your medical history and current condition.

Your consultant will perform a physical examination to assess the area you wish to enhance. Diagnostic scans are rarely used, but your consultant may wish to refer to scans if you have had recent surgery, especially if you are seeking revision surgery. For example, any problems experienced from a previous breast surgery can be assessed with an ultrasound scan to determine the level of damage, helping your surgeon accurately plan the next steps.

If you are considering breast surgery of any kind, your consultant will want to thoroughly check your cancer history, and you may be asked for a recent mammogram result to ensure there are no underlying problems. If you haven’t had one recently, this can be arranged on-site in our Imaging unit.

As with any plastic surgery, there is a minimum two-week ‘cooling off period’, allowing you time to reflect back on your consultation and assess your needs, deciding if plastic surgery is indeed something you wish to pursue. Any decision to opt for plastic surgery has to be yours entirely, and this makes sure you never feel rushed or ill-equipped.

Surgery itself is carried out in our state-of-the-art operating theatres, supported by a team with extensive experience, both in theatre and on the wards. Your health, safety and well-being are priorities at all times, and the exceptional level of care offered by consultants is matched by all staff who help you during your time with us. A full follow-up service is offered, led and delivered by your consultant, who will see you on a regular basis to check your progress while you recover.

• Assessments ASAP – If you’ve got to the point where you are considering plastic or cosmetic surgery to restore function or improve your appearance, you won’t want to wait for an appointment. By seeing patients rapidly, our consultants can give you all the details you need in order to make an informed decision on whether or not cosmetic surgery is right for you.
• Patient Satisfaction – 98.2% of other patients in 2019 said they would happily recommend Woodlands Hospital to friends and family in an independent report, and we’re confident that you’ll agree. 98.3% also said that the quality of care here at Woodlands 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.
• Fast Access for Skin Assessments – Our Minor Operations room is heralded in the area, especially for fast access to skin lesion and mole removals. With rapid assessment and a local anaesthetic, these minor removal operations can be done as a day case procedure, saving you unnecessary waiting times.
• 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 regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• A Multidisciplinary Approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with specialists in Dermatology and Oncology, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, and nurses, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment.
• Convenient Appointments – With appointments available between 10am and 8.30pm Monday-Saturday, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train.

If you are feeling uncomfortable about your body and have been considering plastic surgery, call our friendly reception team today to book a consultation. Our consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any further treatment or surgery if required. For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Woodlands to book an appointment now.