Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic Surgery has its roots in reconstructive work. Unlike specialties focused on one part of the body, reconstructive surgery uses specialised techniques across all ages and all areas — from the face to the hands to the body.

Scar Management
Scars are among the most common reasons patients seek the expertise of a Plastic Surgeon. They may result from surgery, burns, or injury, and can sometimes become thick, raised, or uncomfortable. Managing scars is often complex and may require a combination of approaches. Depending on your needs, I may recommend treatments such as surgical scar release, steroid injections, silicone therapy, microneedling, nanofat grafting, or even radiotherapy — all with the goal of improving both comfort and appearance.

Breast Reconstruction
Another important area where Plastic Surgeons play a key role is breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Once cancer treatment is complete, there are several options to restore balance, comfort, and confidence, including:

Restoring breast volume with implants or fat grafting (see hand-drawn illustration below)
Symmetrisation procedures such as breast reduction or uplift to achieve balance between both sides
Nipple reconstruction using a local flap (see hand-drawn illustration below), with or without areola reconstruction (usually tattooed)
Treatment of radiation-related wounds, helping improve healing and skin quality

Hand Drawing - CV Flap Nipple Reconstruction.jpg

Common Conditions I Treat

Facial Palsy & Synkinesis: When the facial nerve is damaged, it can cause weakness such as drooping at the corner of the mouth or loss of movement in the forehead. For some patients, surgery to reanimate the face is not an option. In these cases, botulinum toxin can help restore balance and confidence. Another related problem, called synkinesis, happens when the regenerating nerve “miswires,” so actions like blinking may cause the neck or cheek to contract at the same time. This can be frustrating, but again, treatment with botulinum toxin often brings significant relief.
Lumps & Bumps: Not every lump is dangerous — many turn out to be harmless cysts or lipomas. However, some may be more serious, such as skin cancers or soft tissue tumours, which is why it’s always worth getting them assessed. My training allows me to manage these safely from diagnosis through to treatment. If surgery is needed, I aim not only to remove the growth safely but also to restore the appearance and function of the area using reconstructive techniques such as local flaps or skin grafts.

I also have extensive experience in skin cancer management, following the UK guidelines (BAD, BAPRAS, NICE). This includes:
- Non-surgical options such as topical creams (e.g., Efudix)
- Surgical treatments including wide local excision and, where appropriate, sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymph node dissection
- Follow-up care with regular surveillance checks after treatment

Reconstructive surgery spans far and wide. I am also happy to see patients with vascular anomalies, congenital conditions such as clefts or extra digits, and non-healing wounds. If you have a less common condition that you think might benefit from input by a Plastic Surgeon, I would be happy to provide a second opinion.

My Research & Publications

Alongside my clinical practice, I’ve published internationally on:

Burn contracture reconstruction (Archives of Plastic Surgery, 2019)
Surgery for vascular anomalies of the lip (Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017)
Medical management of infantile haemangioma (Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2016)
Duplicate thumb in twins (Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2015)
Anatomical basis for facial flap reconstruction (Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 2009)