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Reconstructive & Hand Surgery
Reconstructive surgery restores form and function after cancer treatment, injury, congenital differences, or chronic disease. As a dual-accredited (UK & Singapore) Plastic Surgeon practising in Singapore, with subspecialist certification in hand surgery through the European Board of Hand Surgery, I provide reconstructive care grounded in evidence, sound technique, and considered decision-making.
Choosing to undergo reconstructive surgery often comes at a difficult moment, after a cancer diagnosis, an accident, or years of living with a condition that has worn down quality of life. My role is to help you navigate that decision with clarity, by explaining what surgery can realistically offer, what it cannot, and how the recovery will fit into the rest of your treatment.
Why Consider Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is appropriate when the loss or impairment of tissue affects function, comfort, or well-being in a way that medical treatment alone cannot fully address. My role is to assess whether surgery offers a clear and meaningful benefit in your specific situation, considering:
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Disease factors: stage of cancer, treatment plan (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy), and the timing of any oncological surgery
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Anatomical factors: tissue quality, prior surgery or radiation, and the availability of donor tissue for reconstruction
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Functional factors: how much the condition affects your daily activity, work, sleep, or symptoms such as swelling, pain, or recurrent infection
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Personal factors: your goals, your risk tolerance for surgery, and whether the proposed benefit justifies the operative undertaking
My Approach to Reconstructive Surgery
Every patient’s journey begins with a careful assessment of the underlying problem and what reconstruction can realistically achieve. I take the time to explain the options, the trade-offs, and the likely sequence of procedures, so that you can make an informed decision alongside your oncologist, GP, or other specialist.
Reconstructive work often involves multiple stages. Breast reconstruction may span 1 to 2 years across several procedures. Skin cancer surgery may involve excision followed by reconstruction once margins are confirmed. Hand and lymphatic surgery may require ongoing therapy and compression after the operation itself. I will set out the full pathway at consultation so that you know what to expect from start to finish.
Where appropriate, I work closely with breast surgeons, oncologists, dermatologists, neurologists, and hand therapists to ensure that reconstruction is integrated with the rest of your care, rather than performed in isolation.
My Philosophy
Reconstructive surgery sits at the intersection of form, function, and identity. My practice is guided by three principles:
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Safety first, particularly when reconstruction is performed alongside cancer treatment
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Evidence-based techniques, using procedures with established long-term outcomes rather than novelty for its own sake
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Restoration over alteration, with the aim of returning you to a recognisable version of yourself (dignity) rather than constructing something new
Procedures Offered
Each procedure is planned with careful consideration of disease stage, anatomy, and long-term durability, and performed only when the expected benefit outweighs the risks. My reconstructive practice is organised around five core areas:
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breast reconstruction (implant-based, autologous, fat grafting)
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pre-mastectomy mastopexy or reduction
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nipple and areola reconstruction
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lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA)
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liposuction-assisted debulking
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ICG lymphography assessment
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wide local excision and reconstruction with local flaps and skin grafts
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sentinel lymph node biopsy and lymph node dissection
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multidisciplinary management in accordance with UK NICE, BAD & BAPRAS guidelines
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conditions involving the skin, tendon, bone, muscle and nerves of the upper extremity
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WALANT (wide-awake local anaesthesia, no tourniquet)
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revision surgery and rehabilitation with 3D printing guidance
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migraine surgery for chronic refractory migraine
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peripheral nerve decompression
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symptomatic neuroma surgery
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I also see patients with facial palsy and synkinesis, vascular anomalies, congenital differences (ears, clefts, extra digits), non-healing wounds, and complex scars. If your condition is not listed above, please feel free to reach out still, as the breadth of plastic surgical training covers ground that often falls between specialties.
A Note on Fees
Fees for reconstructive surgery are determined on a case-by-case basis and are generally guided by the Ministry of Health Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP), where applicable. Most reconstructive procedures are eligible for MediSave and Integrated Shield Plan claims.
A formal consultation (charged separately) is required to determine suitability, scope, and the most appropriate treatment plan.
If a procedure you are interested in is not listed, please feel free to reach out still, as it may be known by a different name or variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if I am a suitable candidate for reconstructive surgery?
Suitability depends on the underlying condition, the stage of any cancer treatment, tissue quality, your overall health, and your goals. These are explored carefully during consultation, with space for reflection before any decision is made.
2. Is reconstructive surgery the same as cosmetic surgery?
No, although they share a common technical foundation. Cosmetic surgery alters appearance in tissues that are otherwise healthy. Reconstructive surgery rebuilds tissues that have been lost or damaged through cancer, trauma, or disease. Many of the techniques (flaps, grafts, fat grafting, microsurgery) are shared, which is why both fall within plastic surgical training.
3. Where are procedures performed?
Day surgery procedures (LVA, simple skin cancer excision, hand surgery under WALANT) are performed in accredited day surgery centres in Singapore. Larger reconstructions, such as microsurgical flap reconstruction, are performed in MOH-accredited private hospitals where inpatient admission and overnight monitoring are available.
4. Will my reconstructive surgery be covered by insurance or MediSave?
Most reconstructive procedures are listed in the MOH Table of Surgical Procedures and are eligible for MediSave and Integrated Shield Plan claims. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the procedure performed. We will provide a written quotation and assist with insurance pre-authorisation where applicable.
5. What is recovery like after reconstructive surgery?
Recovery varies considerably. Day surgery procedures allow return to light activity within days. Microsurgical reconstruction (DIEP flap, free functioning muscle transfer) requires inpatient admission and 4 to 6 weeks of recovery. I guide you through each stage with clear expectations and evidence-based aftercare through my dedicated aftercare service Doctor Stitch.
6. Will reconstruction change how I look?
Reconstruction aims to restore, not alter. Techniques are chosen to achieve the most natural contour and the least visible impact while prioritising form and function. How much appearance changes depends on the underlying problem, but expectations and likely outcomes are always discussed carefully beforehand.
