Cosmetic Surgery

Breast Uplift (Mastopexy). This does not increase the breast size, but can restore firmness and reduce the sag that many women notice following pregnancy, weight loss or ageing. The breast tissue is pulled up, the skin reduced and the nipples repositioned if necessary. This surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia and you may have to stay in hospital for 2- 3 nights.

Breast Augmentation (Enlargement) can have a major beneficial psychological impact on women who feel their breasts are too small. It generally involves surgery using breast implants. You and your surgeon will come to a decision based on your personal preferences and which type of implant suits you best. The size of the implant is limited by the degree of stretch that can be achieved in the existing breast and your stature, chest size and the amount of breast tissue already present. Ideally, you should aim to achieve the most natural breast size and shape for your body frame. Breast surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, with the incision being made either round the nipple, the natural breast crease or under the arm and the implant inserted through that incision. As it is a procedure carried out under general anaesthesia, you will be required to stay overnight in the comfortable surroundings of one our hospitals.

Breast Reduction is often sought by women with large breasts which can cause considerable back and shoulder discomfort, distress from unwanted attention or simply being unable to find clothes to fit properly. Cosmetic surgery to reduce breast volume involves repositioning the nipples and restoring the normal breast contour, reshaping the size of your breasts to suit your figure. Like the other procedures, this operation too is carried out under general anaesthesia and will require a stay in hospital for about 2-3 nights.

Body Fat Removal by Liposuction. Liposuction is a highly effective way to give your figure a helping hand by removing those stubborn pockets of fat that won’t disappear in the gym. Liposuction (sometimes also called lipoplasty) is a surgical procedure that uses a small tube inserted into the affected area. The unwanted fat is broken up and then sucked out. Liposuction requires general anaesthetic, so if an overnight stay is required it will be in the comfortable surroundings of your chosen Abbey Hospital.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty). This operation involves the removal of loose or slack skin and excess fatty tissue in the mid to lower abdominal area and is often considered by women who’ve had several children. Abdominoplasty is not an alternative to exercise and good diet if you simply want to lose weight and indeed you should be around your ideal weight for your height in any event before having surgery. The operation involves cutting from hip to hip along the bikini line and around the navel, then raising the abdominal skin and fatty tissue that have stretched downwards before removing the excess and stitching the wound back up. You will have a permanent scar from this operation which may take around 6 – 12 months to settle down but will otherwise not be obvious with the appropriate clothing and swimwear.

Prominent Ear Correction (Otoplasty). Ear correction surgery is a simple and effective treatment for men or women who feel that one or both ears are overly prominent or protruding. Otoplasty can take many forms, such as bringing the ears closer to the head (ear pinning), reducing the size of very big ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other reconstructive procedures can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding, or removing structural ear elements. Most otoplasty is performed as an outpatient surgery, although some may require a hospital stay.

Surgery and Reshaping (Rhinoplasty). Nose surgery to repair or re-shape your most prominent and obvious facial feature is a simple, straightforward and highly effective procedure. Your face is the one feature of your body that is constantly on show to the world. You should feel completely at ease and free from any hint of self-consciousness. Abbey Hospitals’ surgeons are experts in corrective nose surgery.

Facelift Surgery (Rhytidectomy) can help you counter the effects of ageing, smoking or weight loss with facelift surgery to bring a more youthful, brighter appearance to the face. This is a very common procedure and the results are excellent, giving a firmer more youthful face.

Eyebag Removal (Blepharoplasty) surgery can help you look younger and more fresh-faced. As you age, it is normal for both men and women to experience a sagging or drooping effect in the lower or upper eye area. The effect can be worse in some people due to hereditary factors or excessive sun exposure or smoking. Upper or lower eye lift surgery is a very common and a very simple, but extremely effective, procedure. The surgery is usually performed on a day patient basis if only the upper or lower eyelid is involved. Patients will usually stay in hospital overnight when the procedure is carried out on both upper and lower eyelids. The results of early treatment are very successful and once the bags are removed, they generally don’t return. This procedure is not appropriate for crow’s feet or dark circles under the eyes.

Implantology. A dental implant is essentially a substitute for a natural root made from titanium or titanium alloy. During the installation of any implant the aim is to achieve immediate close contact with the surrounding bone. This creates an initial stability which is steadily enhanced by further growth of bone into microscopic roughnesses on the implant surface. Once fitted, these components provide the foundation for long-term support of crowns, bridges or dentures and even individual teeth.

Collagen Treatments/Collagen Replacement Therapy. Injectable cosmetic fillers can provide a solution for patients to rejuvenate their facial appearance without incisions and with no surgical intervention. Collagen is the natural protein that is the main constituent of skin, bones, muscle and ligaments. Fibres of collagen are interwoven throughout the dermis acting like a scaffolding support for the skin. It can weaken and break down from a lifetime of smiling or frowning, smoking or sun exposure. Injecting collagen into the skin can add volume, improve texture and can smooth out wrinkles. This treatment can instantly reduce the appearance of nose to mouth grooves, frown furrows, acne pits and depressed scars and is a minimally-invasive procedure. You will be tested to ensure that you have no sensitivity to the collagen treatment, which will begin approximately 4 weeks after the test-observation period. This procedure is conducted on an out-patient basis so there is no need to stay overnight in the hospital.

Scar Revision. Can be achieved through a variety of techniques. The degree of improvement obviously depends on the severity type, size and location of the scar. In some cases, a single technique may provide significant improvement. However, your Abbey surgeon may recommend a combination of scar revision techniques to achieve the best results. These could include gels and other so called topical treatments, Injectable treatments to fill in depressed or concave scars and mechanical treatments that remove the top layers of the skin. Some deep scars may require layered closure and other surgical interventions to treat effectively.

Chemical Denervation (Botox ® Injections) involves the injection of a botulinum toxin type A to paralyse specific muscles. The overlying skin becomes smoother with fewer wrinkles while the untreated muscles work normally. Chemical Denervation is the preferred treatment to relax horizontal and vertical frown lines and crow’s feet with results noticeable in 3 – 10 days. The effect usually lasts for around 3-6 months, so repeat treatments, which can take as little as 30 minutes to perform, are necessary to maintain the desired appearance.

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure used for the removal of irregularities in the skin. It’s most often used to improve the look of facial skin that may have been scarred by accidents or to smooth out facial lines and wrinkles around the mouth and can help treat certain types of superficial skin discolouration. It may not remove some scars and will not prevent aging, but dermabrasion can enhance your appearance and boost your self confidence. Small areas will be treated under local anaesthesia but larger areas will require a general anaesthetic.

Glycolic Acid Peel. Is an entirely topical treatment that produces a smoother skin texture, reduces fines lines and wrinkles and reduces scarring. It is effective in treating many skin conditions such as ageing, acne, skin discolouration and photo-damaged skin and hyper-pigmentation. A gentle Glycolic Acid peel can be performed with varying percentage strengths of glycolic acid and after just a few weeks your skin will look brighter and clearer. Even dry skin becomes hydrated and smooth. Before you get your first full peel, you will be required to undertake a home care programme using glycolic acid -based products for at least two weeks before the first peel so that your skin can be gradually introduced to glycolic acid.

All the cosmetic surgery procedures described here are available on a Fixed Price Surgery scheme. Please contact us for full details.

How Long Will You Stay in Hospital?

That depends entirely on the procedure to be carried out. Breast Surgery and Liposuction may need an overnight stay. If you're having your nose reshaped, your stay could be one or two days. If you are having Scar Revision you will be treated as a day case. On your first consultation, your consultant will advise you on the likely length of stay in hospital.

How to Make an Appointment

A referral from your GP is preferred. We will then arrange an appointment time for you. If your treatment does not require a GP referral, the Consultant will write to your GP before the surgery is carried out.