Plastic Surgery

Our plastic surgeons work across both sides of the speciality. Reconstructive surgery restores form and function after cancer, burns or injury; whereas aesthetic surgery aims to improve a feature by choice. Procedures take place in our hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where hand surgery, microsurgery and breast reconstruction sit alongside cosmetic surgery of the face and body.

What is plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery repairs and reshapes the skin and the soft tissues beneath it. One arm is reconstructive, restoring appearance and function after skin cancer, burns, serious injury or a condition present from birth such as cleft lip and palate. Reconstruction is often staged, with follow-up over time. The other is aesthetic surgery, chosen to change how a feature looks. The specialty overlaps with breast, ENT and maxillofacial surgery, and differs from dermatology, which treats skin conditions mainly with medicines or creams, rather than surgery.

When should you see a plastic surgeon?

Consider an appointment or referral if you have:

• A mole or skin lesion that is changing or bleeding, or a skin cancer that needs removing
• A scar, burn or wound that is healing poorly or limiting how you move
• A hand problem such as numb fingers, a finger that locks, or an injury affecting your grip
• A decision to make about breast reconstruction after cancer surgery or a mastectomy
• A difference present from birth that you would like assessed
• An aesthetic concern about your face or body that you are thinking about changing

A large or deep burn, a burn to the face, genitals or bottom, or a burn caused by chemicals or electricity requires urgent medical attention at your nearest Emergency Department. For any new burn or injury, the Emergency Department is usually the best first point of care. The team can assess and treat the injury and advise whether you need to see a plastic surgeon.

You'll usually reach reconstructive care through a referral. A GP, a cancer team or an emergency department may refer you, while an aesthetic consultation can be arranged directly. Whether a referral is needed, and whether care is funded, can depend on your insurer and the service.

What to expect

At your first appointment, the surgeon examines the area and asks about your health, any previous surgery and what you hope to achieve. Photographs are often taken for your record. For a lump or skin lesion, a small sample may be sent to the laboratory for testing, and for a hand or reconstructive problem a scan such as an ultrasound or MRI may be arranged.

Treatment depends on the problem and your goals, and surgery is not always needed. Some conditions can be managed with simpler measures, while others may require a procedure under local or general anaesthetic. Simple procedures under local anaesthetic can sometimes be carried out in the outpatient department.

More complex procedures may involve a skin graft or tissue moved from elsewhere on the body, and reconstruction can sometimes take more than one stage. Your surgeon will talk you through the options, recovery and potential risks so you can agree on the most appropriate next step together.

Plastic surgery at Mediclinic

We provide plastic surgery at hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so surgery takes place in a full hospital setting with anaesthetic and inpatient care on hand. Our reconstructive work includes breast reconstruction after cancer surgery, the treatment of burns and their later scarring, and repair of the defects left after skin cancer removal. Our hand and microsurgery team handles finer, more delicate repairs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. We also offer aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body, and we care for children born with congenital differences.