Surgery to reduce breast size involves making a cut (incision) around the areola (the dark area around the nipple) straight downwards and along the crease beneath the breast. Glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed and the breast reshaped. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and will take 2-4 hours. You will probably stay in hospital 1-2 nights and will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home. You may need to take some medication for pain relief for several days and you must wear a special support bra continuously for 2 weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after about 2 weeks. It will take several months for the scars to fade. For more information please click here.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by increased pressure in an anatomical tunnel created by the bones of the wrist. It is generally treated successfully under local anaesthetic with either a steroid injection or with release of the tight structures. For more information please click here.

The foreskin (flap of skin that covers the tip of the penis) may be removed for cultural, religious or medical reasons. www.cosmeticsurgeon.org.nz

de Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the tendon lining of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. It affects the tendons of APL (abductor pollicis longus) and EPB (extensor pollicis brevis). It is most commonly treated with a steroid injection but in resistant cases may require operative decompression.www.cosmeticsurgeon.org.nz

Dupuytren's disease is a progressive fibroproliferative disorder of uncertain aetiology which tends to affect people's hands, in particular the ring and little fingers. Unfortunately, there is little that conservative management can do to help this condition and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Mr Beagley has dealt with many hundreds of patients with Dupuytren's and considers it one of his areas of expertise. Following surgery, all his patients are referred through to Hand Therapists for management of their healing wounds and rehabilitation. www.cosmeticsurgeon.org.nz

The appearance of ears that are misshaped or protruding (‘bat ears’) can be improved surgically. This type of operation is often carried out in children. Cuts (incisions) are made behind the ears through which the cartilage in the ear can be reshaped or removed. The surgery lasts 1-2 hours and can be performed under local anaesthetic (the area treated is numb but you are awake), allowing you to go home the same day. For children, the procedure would be performed under general anaesthetic (they sleep through it) and they will remain in hospital overnight. You will need to wear head bandages for about 1 week and will probably be able to return to normal daily routines after that. For more information please click here.

Mr Beagley has a sub-specialty interest in surgery of the genital region in both males and females and has visited many leading surgeons around the world to further his understanding of the treatments available. Procedures offered include labiaplasty and circumcision. For more information please click here.

Problems with the appearance or function of the hand can be the result of injury, birth defects or degenerative conditions. Arthritis Arthritis is a condition in which a joint and the surrounding tissue become swollen and painful. If surgery is necessary, it may involve replacement of the joint with an artificial joint or removal or repair of swollen or damaged tissue. Birth Abnormalities Surgery may sometimes be required for hand abnormalities that are present at birth such as too many or too few fingers, webbed fingers or joints that won’t bend. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A pinched nerve in the wrist that causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand may require surgery to make more room for the nerve. This operation is usually performed under local anaesthetic (the area being treated is numb but you are awake). Click here for postoperative instructions following carpal tunnel surgery. Injuries Damage to tendons, nerves, joints and bones in the hand may require surgical repair. In some cases, tissue may be transferred from a healthy part of your body to the injured site (grafting). Click here for postoperative instructions following hand surgery. For more information about hand surgery please click here.

One’s appreciation of the female genitalia is a very personal issue. Increasingly, female patients are presenting with concerns regarding the appearance of their genitals. The most common concern relates to excess of the inner folds (labia minora) which can interfere with sporting activities, wearing certain clothes and also in intimate situations. Thankfully, there is much that can be done to address these concerns. Mr Beagley has a sub-specialty interest in surgery of the genital region in both males and females and has visited many leading surgeons around the world to further his understanding of the treatments available. Surgical techniques now exist which enable reduction of the protruding tissue in order to provide a more aesthetic appearance and functional outcome. For more information please click here.

If the scar to be revised or skin lesion being removed is particularly large, a skin graft may be performed. This involves transferring skin from another, healthy part of the body (donor site) to the injured site (recipient site). While skin grafting can improve the function of a damaged area, some scarring will be left at both the donor and recipient sites. Skin grafting is likely to be performed under general anaesthesia (you will be asleep during the procedure) in a hospital. The wound may take weeks or months to heal and you may need to wear a support bandage for a similar period. www.cosmeticsurgeon.org.nz

Skin lesions can be divided into two groups: Benign (non-cancerous): e.g. moles, cysts, warts, tags. These may be removed to prevent spreading (warts), stop discomfort if the lesion is being irritated by clothing/jewellery or to improve appearance. Malignant (cancerous): basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are generally slow growing and unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is a serious skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. Urgent removal is recommended. Surgery to remove skin lesions usually involves an office or outpatient visit, local anaesthesia (the area around the scar is numbed by injecting a local anaesthetic) and stitches. You may or may not have a dressing put on the wound and it is important to keep the area dry for 24 hours. Stitches may be removed in 1-2 weeks. You may need to take a few days off work after the surgery. Please click on the links for more information about skin cancer surgery and melanoma surgery

Scar appearance can be improved by various methods including a surgical procedure known as scar revision. This usually involves cutting out the old scar, closing the wound with stitches and, in some cases, moving the scar so that it is hidden by natural features of the body. Scar revision is usually performed under local anaesthesia (the area around the scar is numbed by injecting a local anaesthetic). Sometimes you may also be given steroid injections at the time of surgery. Immediately following the procedure, you will need to remain at the clinic for about an hour, during which you will be encouraged to walk around. You may or may not have a dressing put on the wound and it is important to keep the area dry for 24 hours. Stitches may be removed in 1-2 weeks. You may need to take a few days off work after the surgery. Please click here for more information.

This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the stomach and tightening the muscles of the stomach wall. Cuts (incisions) are made across the lower stomach and around the tummy button and the muscles underneath are pulled together and stitched. The skin flap is stretched down and the excess skin removed. A new hole is made and the tummy button replaced. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and will take 3-4 hours. You will probably have to stay in hospital for 2 days and will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home. Your stomach will be swollen and painful at first and you may need to take medication for pain relief for several days. You will possibly have to wear a special support garment for 2-3 weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after about 2 weeks. It will take 9-12 months for the scar to lighten. For more information please click here.