Private Plastic Surgery Darlington

At Woodlands Hospital, our plastic surgeons commonly see patients for various breast procedures. For older women, the effects of the menopause can cause the breasts to slump. This can lead to shoulder and neck pain, and a breast uplift can help alleviate this. The below procedures can also help women regain their confidence.

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

Mr Thomas Collin is a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Woodlands. He has a specialist interest in breast reconstruction, skin cancer and skin lesion management. He can offer the following procedures:

• Mole removal
• Skin cancer - melanoma
• Skin cancer - non-melanoma
• Skin cancer facial skin removal treatment
• Skin grafts
• Skin lesion removal surgery
• Skin tag removal

Other private plastic surgery treatments available include:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Upper arm, thigh or body lift
• Liposuction surgery
• Facial treatments such as 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 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 plastic surgeons also work closely with colleagues in dermatology, seeing patients with skin cancer concerns. Small skin cancers may be removed by our 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.

Your initial consultation typically lasts 30-45 minutes. This is your opportunity to outline your goals for treatment. Your consultant will want to know:

• 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.

Choosing to have your private plastic surgery done at Woodlands comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Certain ear, nose and throat conditions are best treated at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms, our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient satisfaction – 98.1% of patients in 2024 said they would be likely or extremely likely to recommend their consultant to their friends or family. 96% also said that their overall experience of the nursing care was 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.
• Day case procedures – Some minor procedures can be done on the same day as your initial consultation, making Woodlands a ‘one-stop shop’ for certain treatments and procedures.
• 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 multi-disciplinary 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 alongside a dedicated team of radiographers, 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. This also includes 4 electric vehicle charging points. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train. We are also a short walk from multiple bus stops, including Morton Park Way (Morrisons) and Yarm Road.

If you are feeling uncomfortable about your body and have been considering plastic surgery, call our friendly enquiry team on 01325 968 195 today or book a consultation online. Our consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any further treatment or surgery if required.

Accessing private healthcare with us is easy, whether you choose to pay directly or use private medical insurance.

If you are paying for yourself, we can usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or access one of our easy payment options.

If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. There are usually only three steps to accessing private treatment using insurance:

• Speak to your GP: Let your GP know that you have private medical insurance during your appointment with them. Ask them to refer you to Woodlands Hospital, and in you have already chosen which consultant you would like to see, let your GP know their name so they can give you a specific referral letter. The letter should include the hospital and consultant name, as well as the recommended treatment. Your GP can also give you a referral letter with no specified consultant.
• Speak to us: Once you have your referral letter from your GP, give our friendly Patient Liaison Officers a call on 01325 341786. If your GP gets in touch with us directly with your referral, we will be in touch with you.
• Speak to your insurer: After speaking to your GP, ensure that you call your insurer and activate your insurance. Have your insurance details to hand when you call, as they will need it to confirm that the treatment you need is covered by our policy. If the treatment is not covered but you would still like to go private, you can explore alternative methods.

For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Woodlands Hospital first opened in Darlington in 2001, and we have been treating patients from Darlington and the wider area ever since.

We are located on Morton Park Way, opposite Dunelm and Premier Inn and over the road from Morrisons. Darlington Train Station is approximately 3.5 miles away and there is a taxi rank at the station with cabs available throughout the day. We are also a short walk from numerous bus routes, with stops at Morrisons and on Yarm Road. We are a short distance from local attractions such as Hopetown, the brick train sculpture and the Hippodrome.

We have free parking available on-site, with 4 electric vehicle charging points. The hospital has an accessible entrance, however please do let a member of the team know if you require a wheelchair and one of our friendly porters can assist you into the building.

Each of our rooms feature an en-suite for added comfort and privacy. The rooms are spacious with a remote controlled TV and free Wi-Fi available during your stay. Our catering team are on-hand to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular mealtimes. We offer a range of choices available, please do let us know of any special dietary requirements you have prior to your admission.

As well as offering surgery, we have a number of fantastic facilities on-site at Woodlands.

Our physiotherapy department consists of many experienced senior physiotherapists with a range of clinical interests including hand, women's health and men's health. We also have a fully equipped gymnasium, including an anti-gravity treadmill, exercise bike and numerous weights. The team will work closely with you to reach your goals, and you can self refer to book an appointment. If you're interested, please give the team a call on 01325 341712 and choose option 2.

We also have imaging facilities on-site, including a wide-bore MRI scanner, x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and access to a CT scanner. Please note: appointments for any imaging service at Woodlands Hospital can only be made once the department receives a referral from a GMC-registered consultant. For more information, please give our friendly enquiry team a call on 01325 968 195.