FAQs

The Centre is in East Grinstead and is accessed via the main entrance to the Queen Victoria NHS hospital site.

Address

Holtye Road, 
East Grinstead, 
West Sussex, 
RH19 3EB

Depending on the surgical procedure, a pre-assessment is performed to ensure it is safe for you to proceed with surgery and receive anaesthetic. Part of the pre-assessment is based on routine questions, some of which your consultant may have covered with you previously. The pre-assessment reinforces the conversation you have had with your consultant surgeon and we often find some patients have omitted to confirm all their medication, or may be taking an alternative supplement or remedy and not mentioned this previously thinking it to be of no interest. The pre-assessment team asks these questions to make sure you receive the best medical care we can offer, and it's a useful opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have been too embarrassed to ask your surgeon. A member of our pre-assessment team will contact you if we feel you should be medically assessed. They will arrange an appointment prior to your admission for routine tests such as blood tests, an ECG or a chest x-ray. During the assessment your medical history will be discussed and the relevant tests will be carried out. We will endeavour to contact all other patients with a telephone call.

Every patient heals differently and the healing process will depend on the type of surgery undertaken. To enjoy the benefits of the surgery we would recommend our patients listen to their consultant's advice on recovery and recuperation. 

Limited car parking is available on The McIndoe Centre site. Parking is free.

Cosmetic surgery covers a wide range of treatments to enhance or refine the form and shape of the body and face. There are many reasons for wanting surgery, including changes caused by body development in young people, such as prominent ears, large nose, small or excessively large breasts. In middle or later years, patients may want to address sagging of the face, baggy eyelids, drooping breasts or loose skin on the trunk or tummy. Cosmetic surgery is not generally the answer to excessive weight, but procedures such as tummy tuck, breast uplift, total body lift, thigh lift and arm reduction can be beneficial after weight loss. Likewise, liposuction may be used to improve body contour.

If you see a surgeon at The McIndoe Centre they will be able to perform surgery on you at our hospital. We have three spacious operating theatres each with their own anaesthetic room and recovery area. All our patient rooms are en-suite and located on the ground floor of the hospital.

In the majority of cases we will require a General Practitioner referral letter from your GP. This is written on your behalf to one of our consultant specialists and outlines what treatment you require, it will also include a brief medical history and some may include details of medication that they feel our consultants should be aware of before any treatment commences. On receipt of the letter, the consultant’s secretary will contact you and offer you a consultation. Once you have seen our consultant and treatment/surgery has been identified you will be contacted by the hospital and offered a date for your surgery.

For some treatments you may self refer. This is where you contact the hospital or consultant direct and ask for an appointment to be seen. Once you have been seen and treatment or surgery identified the consultant or practitioner will write to your GP as a matter of courtesy outlining what is planned for you. It is very important to keep your GP informed and sometimes they will contact the consultant or practitioner with further information that will assist them to deliver the very best of care for you

Get in touch or speak to one of our Patient Service Advisors on 01342 488054 to arrange a consultation.

The Centre is open Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm and Sunday 8am-9pm.

Firstly, the most important thing we can say is that we guarantee you will see the surgeon who will operate on you if you decide to proceed with surgery. We do not have cosmetic sales advisors or nurse practitioners briefing patients before surgery. What we do have are properly qualified cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgeons who will take the time to treat you as an individual and listen to what it is you are not happy with. They will not judge or suggest surgery to another area of your body you are perfectly happy with. Some surgeons may even recommend you do not proceed to surgery. This may be because the changes achievable are so slight it may be better to wait. This is not uncommon with ladies requiring facelift surgery. Or maybe you have requirements that far exceed what is deemed 'realistic expectations' so in which case the surgeon may feel it inappropriate to offer surgery. 

Your surgeon will want to examine you and if this includes a need to undress, a nurse chaperone will be present. After the examination you will be asked to get dressed. Only then will the surgeon carry on with the consultation.

Your surgeon will explain what the procedures involves: how may incisions there will be, how long the operation will take, what the recovery period is like and what to expect, the risks of the surgery you require and if there are any alternative procedures or treatments. Pre and post operation images may be discussed and shown.

After your consultation has taken place, a no obligation written quotation will be sent to you for consideration. Should you decide to proceed we would invite you to have a further consultation. This allows the surgeon to reiterate points discussed previously, reaffirm your understanding of the surgery and associated risks and benefits, arrangements at home etc.  It is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions that may have arisen since your previous visit. Only when this has been undertaken do we confirm your operation date.