When choosing a surgeon for augmentation mastopexy in the UK, look for someone on the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery who holds FRCS (Plast), belongs to BAAPS or BAPRAS, performs breast lift and implant surgery regularly, operates in a CQC-registered hospital and provides clear aftercare. There is no single ‘best’ surgeon; the right choice is a properly qualified specialist who assesses you carefully and explains your options honestly.
Why the choice matters for this operation
Combining a lift with implants means balancing opposing forces: removing skin while adding volume. Judgement about implant size, lift pattern and whether to stage the surgery has a direct effect on safety and on how long the result lasts. This is specialist work, and choosing a surgeon with the right training and regular experience of combined breast surgery is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of complications and revision.
Credentials to check
- GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery: any doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgery in the UK, but only those on the specialist register have completed accredited plastic surgery training. You can check online using the surgeon’s name or GMC number.
- FRCS (Plast): the intercollegiate specialty examination in plastic surgery, taken at the end of higher surgical training.
- BAAPS or BAPRAS membership: the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons both require specialist registration.
- CQC-registered hospital: the hospital should be registered with the Care Quality Commission, and you can read its inspection reports.
- Indemnity insurance: surgeons should have appropriate cover for the procedures they perform.
For transparency, Mr Reza Nassab is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register (GMC 4704243), holds FRCS (Plast), is a BAAPS Council member and chairs the ISAPS Social Media Working Group.
What a good consultation looks like
Expect an unhurried meeting with the operating surgeon, not a sales adviser. A careful surgeon will take a full medical history, examine and measure your breasts, discuss your goals and explain whether you need a lift, implants or both. They should show you where scars will sit, discuss implant options in terms of your tissue rather than simply cup size, and cover risks openly, including revision. You should receive written information and a quote, and be encouraged to take time before deciding, with the option of a second consultation. The questions to ask page can help you structure the conversation.
Aftercare is part of the choice
Ask what happens after surgery: how many reviews are included, who you contact out of hours, and how complications such as wound problems or bleeding are handled. Continuity matters with combined breast surgery, because early wound issues are fairly common and are best managed by the team who operated. A surgeon who is easy to reach locally is an advantage during the first few weeks.
Red flags
- Cheap packages abroad: low prices often come with limited aftercare, very short stays and early flights home, with any complications left for you to manage in the UK.
- Pressure selling: time-limited discounts, pressure to pay a deposit on the day or ‘offers’ for booking quickly.
- Not meeting the surgeon: consultations run by non-medical staff, or first meeting your surgeon on the day of surgery.
- Unrealistic promises: claims of perfect results, no scars or no risk.
- No aftercare plan: vague answers about follow-up, or no clear route for urgent concerns.
- Very large implants without discussion: a surgeon who agrees to any size without explaining the effect on the lift and tissues.
Reviews and photographs
Online reviews and before and after images can be helpful but should be viewed with care. Photographs shown at consultation should be representative of typical results in patients with a similar starting point, not just the best outcomes. Remember that reviews reflect individual experiences and cannot tell you about a surgeon’s training.
Taking the next step
Once you have checked credentials, arrange a consultation. With Mr Nassab, augmentation mastopexy starts from £12,500 and the consultation is £150, charged separately; see the cost guide for details. Cosmetic surgery is only for adults aged 18 and over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any doctor perform augmentation mastopexy?
Legally, any registered doctor can perform cosmetic surgery in the UK, which is why checking for specialist registration in plastic surgery is so important.
What does FRCS (Plast) mean?
It is the specialist fellowship examination in plastic surgery, taken after completing higher surgical training in the specialty.
How can a hospital’s standards be checked?
Search for the hospital on the Care Quality Commission website, where inspection ratings and reports are published.
Is it sensible to see more than one surgeon?
Yes. Meeting more than one specialist can help you compare advice and feel confident in your decision.
Why do surgeons recommend different implant sizes?
Recommendations depend on each surgeon’s assessment of your tissues. Ask each to explain their reasoning so you can compare the logic, not just the number.
