Breast reconstruction surgery
Contact
- Outpatients appointments
- 020 3313 5000
Visitor Information
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Our plastic surgery team provide a consultant-led service at Charing Cross Hospital to reconstruct breast and chest wall defects.
We are specialists in microsurgery, including the most complex form of breast reconstruction known as free flap reconstruction.
Conditions and treatments
The most common reason for breast reconstruction is following a mastectomy, where the breast is removed or partially removed during treatment for breast cancer. Breast reconstruction takes place at Charing Cross Hospital. Reconstruction surgery can also be needed following heart surgery, and our team supports the cardiac team at Hammersmith Hospital when required.
Free flap breast reconstruction surgery is a form of microsurgery that involves taking tissue such as skin, fat and sometimes muscle (a flap) from another part of the body to form a new breast. Unlike breast implants which degrade, this type of surgery provides a permanent solution. As the new breast needs a good blood supply to survive, the surgeon either leaves the tissue connected to its original blood vessels or cuts the vessels and reconnects them to existing blood vessels under the arm or in the chest wall.
We now perform over 200 of these complex breast reconstructions per year, and have a success rate of over 99 per cent. Recent improvements to the service include introducing satellite clinics at Northwick Park and the West Middlesex hospitals and a breast reconstruction seminar held weekly at Charing Cross Hospital. We also provide less complex forms of breast reconstruction including pedicled flaps (where the tissue is not disconnected from its original blood supply) and breast implants.
The team are also specialists in body contouring after significant weight loss, as well as providing breast reductions, uplifts, breast augmentation, fat transfer and nipple reconstructions where funded by the NHS.
Clinics
Breast reconstruction surgery
Address
Main outpatients department
First floor
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Road
London W6 8RF
Hours
From 09.00 to 17.00, every Friday
Breast reconstruction seminar at Maggie's Centre
Address
Maggie's West London
Charing Cross Hospital
Fulham Palace Road
W6 8RF
Hours
There is a weekly breast reconstruction seminar.
Please contact Maggie's cancer charity to book by email london@maggies.org or
call 020 7386 1750.
Meet the team
Consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeons
Mr Francis Henry
Mr Navid Jallali
Mr Simon Wood
Patient information
Before your appointment
We see patients with urgent referrals within one week, and all other patients as quickly as possible.
You are welcome to bring a relative, close friend or carer with you to your appointment. You are also welcome to ask for a chaperone and we will endeavour to provide one for you.
Please remember to check your appointment letter for anything specific you have been asked to take with you. In addition, it would be helpful if you could bring the following:
- Your full address and telephone number(s)
- A list of medications you are taking
- Your appointment card and appointment letter
- Your GP’s name and address
- A list of questions you may want to ask your consultant
You will often be asked to attend the breast reconstruction seminar at Maggie’s West London before you have your consultation with your doctor.
During your appointment
When you arrive, go directly to the main outpatients department on the first floor at Charing Cross Hospital. Waiting times can vary and can be lengthy. We suggest you allow a free morning or afternoon for your appointment, as emergency patients may require to be seen prior to waiting patients. Your appointment will likely take 30 to 60 minutes, but this may vary depending upon your individual needs.
At your initial consultation with your doctor, you will be seen by one of our experienced plastic surgeons with particular expertise in microsurgery, along with a breast care nurse. The surgeon will ask about any existing medical conditions and medications you are taking. You will also be examined to ensure surgery is a suitable option.
After your appointment
Following your assessment the surgeon will discuss the reconstructive options available to you. For the most complex forms of reconstruction (i.e. autologous tissue) you will be sent for a CT scan. You will then be seen again in the clinic one to two weeks later to finalise the plan for your reconstructive surgery.
Refer to this service
GPs
Please use NHS e-Referrals to refer a patient to our breast reconstruction surgery service. All referrals are processed through Charing Cross Hospital.
Secondary care
All secondary care referrals should be sent to Hanan Siddique:
Phone: 020 3311 1243
Email: plasticadmissions@nhs.net
Further online resources
- NHS Choices – breast reconstruction
- Macmillan Cancer Support – breast reconstruction information
- Cancer Research UK – about breast reconstruction
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons – patient information on reconstructive surgery
