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Dr Vanessa Blair - General and Breast Surgeon

Private Service

Description

Dr Vanessa Blair is an oncoplastic breast surgeon and, when surgery is required, will work with you to reach a carefully considered decision about the best reconstructive options tailored to your particular circumstances.

Breast Disorders Breast disorders may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) and range from conditions that require no treatment to those that require immediate and major surgery.

Breast disorders include:

  • fibrocystic disease – benign changes in the breast tissue causes it to become dense or “lumpy”
  • fibroadenomas – benign tumours of the breast tissue
  • cysts – fluid-filled sacs
  • breast infections
  • breast cancer.

Many of these conditions do not require surgery and we will work with other specialists to find out the best treatment plan for you.

 
What is General Surgery?
The role of the general surgeon varies but in broad terms general surgery can be said to deal with a wide range of conditions within the abdomen, breast, neck, skin and vascular (blood vessel) system.
While the name would suggest that the focus of general surgery is to perform operations, often this is not the case. Many patients are referred to surgeons with conditions that do not need surgical procedures, but merely require counselling or medical treatment.
 
 
 

Consultants

Referral Expectations

When you come to your appointment, your surgeon will ask questions about your illness and examine you to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays, scans etc). Sometimes this can all be done during one visit, but for some conditions this will take several follow-up appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before your appointment to try to speed up the process.
 
Once a diagnosis has been made, your surgeon will discuss treatment with you. In some instances this will mean surgery, while other cases can be managed with medication and advice. If surgery is advised, the steps involved in the surgical process and the likely outcome are usually discussed with you at this time.

Procedures / Treatments

  • Breast Cancer Surgery

    This may be:

    Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.… More

  • Breast Reconstruction

    When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast.… More

  • Endocrine Disorders

    Abnormalities of the endocrine system treated by general surgery include disorders of the pancreas and adrenal glands in the abdomen and the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the neck. These are often very complex conditions requiring extensive investigations.… More

  • Gallstones

    General surgery covers some disorders of the liver and biliary system.… More

  • Gastrointestinal Disorders

    Conditions of the gut dealt with by general surgery include disorders of the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel and anus.… More

  • Hernias

    A hernia exists where part of the abdominal wall is weakened, and the contents of the abdomen push through to the outside.… More

  • Skin Disorders (Including Skin Cancer)

    Skin conditions dealt with by general surgery include lumps, tumours and other lesions of the skin and underlying tissues.… More

Charges

Dr Vanessa Blair is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for a number of procedures. If you are a Southern Cross policy holder you may be eligible for prior approval and a streamlined claims process.

Parking

  • 4 Vinery Lane: free roadside parking is available at the front of the clinic.
  • Kensington Hospital: dedicated off street parking is provided.  

Contact Details

4 Vinery Lane, Whangarei

Northland

  • Phone

    (09) 438 7477

  • Fax

    (09) 438 7478

More details…

St Marks Breast Centre

Central Auckland

  • Phone

    (09) 520 0389 or 0800 ST MARKS

  • Fax

    (09) 520 0589

More details…

This page was last updated at 8:40AM on May 10, 2019. This information is reviewed and edited by Dr Vanessa Blair - General and Breast Surgeon.