The Number One Choice For Cosmetic Breast Surgery in The North of England

  • Mr Turton is UK trained, fully qualified and Royal College of Surgeons Certified in cosmetic breast surgery. He has the breadth and depth of experience that make him one of the leading Specialist Consultant Breast, Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgeons in the UK. Working full time, both as a consultant surgeon at the Leeds Teaching Hospital and continuously in the private sector since 2004, he has operated on thousands of women. He is regarded as a leader in the field of aesthetic breast surgery at a National level!
  • Patient safety comes first: Mr Turton’s specialist area is The Breast. He is a recognised expert on breast implants, aesthetic breast surgery, breast disease and breast cancer.
  • The Leeds Nuffield is rated “outstanding” by the UK regulator. This is a very significant advantage to patients and a very important marker of quality. The facilities we provide for your surgery are truly first class. The Nuffield hospital has both high dependency and intensive care type facilities for cardiac patients, that go well above those available at most private hospitals.
  • Mr Turton was the 1st UK Breast Surgeon to become fully Certified in Cosmetic Breast Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons
  • When performing breast enlargement Mr Turton uses a detailed safety regime for patients. This includes a 14-point plan and a triple antibiotic/antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection and capsular contraction
  • Patients have always rated Mr Turton consistently as Excellent and 5 out of 5 stars! See Patient Feedback and testimonials dating back over 15 years on the I WANT GREAT CARE review site.
  • Crisalix 3D Imaging provides a unique “preview” of what we are aiming for in primary Breast Augmentation planning- see before you decide. This is a state of the art technique to help patients visualise outcomes.

Mr Turton’s philosophy is centred on providing patients with beautiful, natural cosmetic results.

As well as achieving the best outcomes, boosting women’s self-esteem and confidence, he does so with safety at the forefront of each procedure. As a UK-trained specialist surgeon and full-time practising consultant breast, reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgeon you benefit from a very high level and depth of experience in any cosmetic breast surgery, reconstructive breast surgery or breast surgery for benign, congenital or malignant breast conditions. Mr Turton restricts his speciality just to the breast, to get the best results for his patients, by maintaining the highest levels of expertise.

The private hospitals that he works from are both Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessed and approved- the Nuffield was rated as ‘Outstanding’ in the 2017 report, and the Spire Hospital Leeds came a very close second, rated ‘Good’. Mr Turton individualises his patient care and uses cutting edge techniques that you will not find everywhere. These are the necessary requirements for safe and expert surgery. Mr Turton’s practice is audited and his data is available on the PHIN (private Health Information Network) website.

 

His national reputation is reflected in his outcomes and patients’ testimonials (he has over 335 top 5-star ratings! and has been granted many Certificates of Excellence from IWGC).

Patients travel not only from across the North of England, but also from all over the UK and even from abroad, reflecting the high demands on his focused area of expertise. The ease of transport access to the Nuffield Hospital Leeds makes this particularly attractive to patients where he holds a dedicated Saturday Cosmetic Breast Clinic. This is just a 5-minute walk from the Leeds train station or 15-minute drive from Leeds Bradford airport. There is, of course, on-site parking for those who are driving. (For accurate SatNav directions please enter ‘2 Leighton Street, Leeds’ (Leighton Street intersects with Great George Street).

 

Mr Turton has Full Registration on the GMC Specialist Register (GMC number 3613582) having qualified as a Doctor in 1992.

He trained in the Speciality of General Surgery and then Specialised further in Breast and Reconstructive Breast Surgery gaining his FRCS; he also has a further higher degree, Doctor of Medicine, that he was awarded with a commendation (MD); he undertook a Travelling Fellowship to the States, prior to his Consultant Breast Surgeon appointment at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Breast Unit in 1994. In addition to his Breast, Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgery clinic he holds a substantive post as a Consultant Breast and Reconstructive Breast Surgeon at St James’s Hospital Leeds. Find Further information here: Qualifications & Specialisations. Cosmetic breast surgery in the UK is now being better regulated and all surgeons carrying out such work should now apply for the Cosmetic Surgery Certification from the Royal of Surgeons; this was commenced in 2017 and Mr Turton was the first UK Breast surgeon to receive this privileged accreditation and is documented on the UK national register for Cosmetic Surgery practice. You should ask your surgeon if they have been certified by the RCS, as it is not good enough to just say that you are a doctor, plastic or general surgeon anymore. Read more about this here.

 

Mr Turton’s Surgical Practice is based exclusively on the Speciality of Breast, Cosmetic Breast and Reconstructive Breast Surgery.

Mr Turton is both an Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon (he uses breast plastic surgery skills combined with breast oncology surgery skills) and an Aesthetic Breast Surgeon (he has a dedicated and long established special interest and track record in Cosmetic Breast Surgery). During the last 20-years of Consultant-level experience, he has performed thousands of breast operations.

He provides a comprehensive cosmetic breast surgery service (especially proportionate breast enlargement, any revisional or replacement implant surgery, breast reductions, full breast uplifts and re-shaping. He can order from the fullest range of breast implants that are available and can select from different manufacturers. He has extensive experience with the two biggest manufacturers of breast implants, Mentor and Allergan including use of all of the smooth (non-textured) implants. However, Mr Turton is not tied to any one manufacturer and patients can consider other choices, which commonly include Mentor’s anatomical and round Siltex textured implants, their Memory gel and Memory gel Xtra range, and the new B-Lite (special light-weight) implants in smooth or micro-texture. Mr Turton will use his expertise to help you decide and guide the selection of the optimal implant for you. It can be a complex process to make the correct implant choice, particularly when taking into account rare but serious risks, such as implant lymphoma.

Mr Turton’s information sheet for his patients having augmentation is provided here and offers helpful details relating to issues of consent, pre and post-operative information. This includes even the rare association with BIA-ALCL (breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma). More information is also provided further down this page.

 

Breast enhancement can be achieved in different ways with optimal size natural shaped round implants or with anatomical shape (teardrop) implants.

Most patients want a natural and proportionate boost to their breast shape. However, some patients may prefer a larger or more rounded look – this is not always optimal but can be accommodated if it is safe and within reasonable technical limits and patients recognise the downsides. Please remember that large volume implants accelerate breast sag and tissue thinning and are best avoided. Helping patients make the correct implant selection is one of his specialist areas and why he is highly recommended by his former patients; utilising a one-hour consultation per patient he takes a series of over 10 detailed dimensions (biodimensional planning), an essential service to any person having breast enlargement who cares about their outcome. He uses his expertise with 3D patient imaging, taking a 3D scan of your breasts as well as conventional digital photos. He can produce simulations of your potential outcomes with different size implants increasing your ability to judge if you are making reasonable choices to try to meet your expectations. This works best if patients have not had any previous surgery before, so it is not suitable for all patients.

Most patients want to be guided by his years of experience in both cosmetic breast surgery and reconstructive breast surgery to help them make the correct choices. Pre-operative surgical planning is a detailed process to deliver optimum results and should not be rushed. Here is an example of the immediate pre-operative markings that Mr Turton uses to plan implant position, taking account of tissue characteristics and implant dimensions.

He also sees many patients who require replacement implants or revisional surgery having had operations elsewhere that haven’t always gone as well as they had hoped. He undertakes all aspects of revisional surgery related to the removal or revision of problem implants, capsular contraction, or even patients that still have PIP implants that have been placed at other clinics/other surgeons whether from the UK or overseas. If patients have problems with textured implants that need removing, replacing with another brand or type, with capsulectomy if required, then he is entirely familiar with the approaches. He has helped many women with regional surgery. See section on PIP implants!

 

Mr Turton almost universally uses the FDA or MHRA approved breast implants.

There are a number of manufacturers in this category. The Mentor range of implants have proven very versatile and reliable in terms of cosmetic outcome in Mr Turton’s hands, particularly as experience, planning and technique are so important. However with the move away from the most textured Allergan devices to improve safety in 2018, we now prefer to select microtextured or smooth surface devices.

In addition, these implants have a proven product safety and reliability over time, but like all implants, they are not risk free and do not last for life. The manufacturer regards the lifespan of implants as being between 10 and 20 years. Most specialists recognise that rupture can occur silently and use the FDA data on implant rupture that was collected from MRI studies after breast enlargement- these show an approximate 10% rupture rate within 10-years. Mr Turton advises patients to consider 2-yearly clinical review and MRI scans to screen implants for problems, or renewal of their implants at the 10-years point. The B-Lite implant is a relatively new implant although it has been in use for over 5-years (up to 30% lighter than traditional implants). But it is a relatively new product compared to Mentor implants. Within the Blite implant are ‘borosilicate microspheres’ bonded within a medical grade silicone gel.

Implant safety is paramount, and Mr Turton recommends the highest quality breast implants from the leading manufacturers with their known Quality Assurance and track record. Mr Turton has a less than 2% reported implant rupture rate in the last fifteen years. He has also never had to remove an implant from any of his patients due to infection after primary breast augmentation; this is achieved by using a strict intra-operative regime which includes a double antibiotic combined with an antiseptic rinse along with his 14-point plan. His regime and attention to detail includes the use of nipple shields, alcohol-chlorhexidine skin prep, extra-precautions in the operating room, a glove change before removing the implants from the sterile insert, and use of the Keller funnel for a no-skin-contact placement of the implant. This is important as microscopic contamination of implants at the time of surgery is now thought to be related to capsular contraction. It was also one of the potential theories behind ALCL, although subsequent data has not confirmed this..

 

Mr Turton’s expertise and careful attention to detail have huge advantages in patients who have lost breast shape after prior pregnancies or those who have never had much breast development before.

If you are quite thin you will usually benefit from a particular type of implant or technique. Please contact his personal secretary Victoria Short directly to make an enquiry or book a consultation- this service is preferred at his Saturday planning clinic at the Leeds Nuffield Hospital – email enquiries: Victoria.Short@NuffieldHealth.com or by phone: 0113 3882008

 


 

The Allergan Breast Implants: (please also refer to the separate page on my web site relating specifically to this manufacturer).

The Allergan implants formally comprised the broadest product range. As of December 2018 we do not use any of the macro-textured Allergan breast implants as the macro texturing has a higher linkage to the uncommon BIA-ALCL. Allertgan therefore withdrew their entire range of implants from the market. The smooth shelled implant was unaffected as the safety consideration related to the textured surface of their other implants.

The whole textured range is therefore withdrawn in Europe. The heavy macro texturing of an implant is no longer advisable when there is an alternative and in the current climate of BIA-ALCL, we recommend you consider these alternatives including smooth shell implants or microtextured  where the risks of this uncommon malignancy is lower. The pros and cons should be considered carefully so that an informed choice is made.

The most natural and aesthetic beautifully results possible can be achieved when combing the right surgeon with the right patient using the right product. Mr Turton finds he can produce a superior result with the products available with the special techniques he uses and with appropriate patient selection; Mr Turton will talk you through the selection process and share his very extensive experience with breast implants to help you make the right choices.

 

The Allergan breast implant range was covered by the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty.

Allergan state that they will provide a free replacement implant if there is ever a rupture (although the cost of the surgical replacement is not covered and be aware that is the major cost). As a comparison, the PIP implants were reported in the French vigilance study to have a rupture rate as high as 10% at one-year. By contrast, the FDA-approved Allergan implants had a rupture rate of just 10% at 10-years in the FDA MRI study, and lower still in other published single surgeon series.

Please read the warranty details- a PDF copy of their warranty is available here. A schematic that highlights the Allergan breast implant product and the special barrier layer in the Allergan implant shell is also shown here. Mr Turton has been an invited consultant for Allergan on a few occasions, presenting at a few educational National meetings but had no ongoing commitment to the company, nor does he own any shares.

The above photo is from an  Allergan Medical Institute event on Surgical Aesthetics which Mr Turton both chaired, lectured at and performed a live demonstration on a patient, demonstrating how to select the correct implant for your patient. Also in the picture are international experts Bill Adams and Arthur Swift, who gave state of the art lectures promoting excellence in clinical practice. Mr Turton has previously visited Bill Adams in Dallas and developed experience in using the Smooth Shell Allergan Implants.

 

The micro polyurethane foam coated implants:

Polytech MPU-coated silicone implants are very rarely used now. I might consider them in very specific situations where they may have an advantage. Their use might be an advantage for example where recurrent capsular contraction has occurred or to greatly reduced the risk of rotation where a tear-drop style implant has to be considered (this is recognised as a potential occurrence with tear-drop implants in general). However, given the need to look holistically and recognising that although breast implant lymphoma is very rare, it seems to have an observed association that is higher with the macro textured polyurethane and Biocell textures (accepting the possible limitations of the epidemiological data), I prefer to avoid these in general.

Patients are given all the facts relating to these implants if they are ever to be considered, to weigh up any advantages or disadvantages. The other predominant disadvantage is that a larger incision is required for placement and they are harder to position correctly. They adhere exactly where they are placed and no natural settling occurs after this; this can be difficult as a patient on an operating table is lying flat with her arms resting at the sides, which alters the breast dynamics compared to when sat upright with the arms relaxed. A surgeon using these implants must recognise this difference and judge the effect to position the implants correctly and where I use them I will sit a patient up on a specially adjustable operating table.

The implants often feel firmer for the first few years until the polyurethane coating is broken down by your body. Polyurethane breast implants were first used as long ago as 1969. It is also worth noting that polyurethane has been implanted safely in humans for decades for other uses such as pacemakers and blood vessel grafts. Like all silicone gel implants, the foam-covered implants have been improved over the years and now contain the same cohesive gel as other implants.

Significant studies now confirm the safety of polyurethane implants and you can read more about the long term studies with micropolyurethane implants here. The coating on these implants was subjected to extensive safety review to ensure there was no health concern. There is nothing to suggest that polyurethane foam, or its “in vivo” (in-body) breakdown products, pose a threat to the health or safety of patients. As the foam is thought to break down over time the protection against capsulation may diminish. But although no head-to-head studies have been done, the long-term case series show lower rates of capsulation compared to other implants. The foam breakdown has also been studied to ensure that doesn’t pose any health concern. It is estimated that any risk from the foam in causing cancer is 1 in a million for example! Daniel Fleming (Australian surgeon) has one of the largest experiences with this product and summarises the studies here.

Polyurethane implants have some possible advantages over smooth and mechanically textured gel-filled prostheses and data from 2006 (which is quite old now) showed that at that point they did no appear to be associated with an increased risk of general complications or morbidity.” (Handel, N. Long–term safety and efficacy of polyurethane foam-covered breast implants. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Vol.26 2006). Guillermo Vasquez, a plastic surgeon from Buenos Aires in Argentina reported his experience using these implants in 407 patients over a ten year period. He concluded“…this implant reduces capsular contracture to under 1%”

However, the association of the micropolyurethane implants and the rare risk of implant lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) was recognised to be higher than for other implants in one Australian Study, so we advise caution before selecting this type for standard surgery.

The possible degradation of polyurethane foam has been extensively researched, with particular interest to 2,4-toluenediamine (TDA). Hydrolyses- and biodegradation- studies show, that a minimal amount of TDA can be released without endangering the patient (realistic assumptions indicate a daily dose of 0.01 mg/kg body weight. In 1995 the American health authority “Food and Drug Administration” announced that the cancer risk due to MicroPolyurethane-foam-Surfaced implants is less than one in one million, over the lifetime of the patient. This figure represents no significant danger according to the standard risk analysis. In relation to the “normal” risk of breast cancer, that, according to the WHO-statistics is one in nine, in women who don’t have breast implants, the possible extra risk due to the use of a micropolyurethane coated implant is totally negligible. The summary of this is presented here.

 

Re-do Revisional Breast Augmentation Surgery:

Mr Turton has extensive experience performing correctional breast implant surgery for patients who have had complications from implants placed elsewhere in the UK. Patients travel to his clinics for review and revisional surgery from all over the UK; details of the best way to access his expertise when travelling from more remote parts of the UK or abroad will be provided on contacting his secretary (see consultation section for details). Please note that 3D imaging does not provide a good reliable prediction of outcome with this type of surgery so visualisations are not performed. Revisional surgery is often more expensive and where cosmetic results are poor, you may require initial implant removal with mastopexy before considering if you want to have implant replaced 6-months later- this is all dependent on your starting point, level of problems and expectations.

 

PIP Breast Implants:

Mr Turton has never used PIP implants, but he has had a lot of experience in dealing with patients who came to him to resolve their problems since the PIP scandal in 2010. The International withdrawal of the PIP (Poly Implant Prostheses) breast implant (a French manufacturer whose implants were marketed in the UK in many clinics) led to a flurry of referrals for Mr Turton to revise. Any patients who still have PIP implants should have a consultation with a specialist, and consider removing or exchanging them for a different manufacturer if they have symptoms. Mr Turton featured on the ITV programme as a specialist showing corrective surgery on patients with PIP implants.

 

Mr Turton offers implant exchange at both the Leeds Nuffield Hospital and Spire Leeds Hospital.

A simple (like for like) exchange is relatively straightforward in patients who have minimal problems requiring a simple exchange (assessed at consultation). Shortcuts must never be taken in patients who need expert surgery. PIP implants had been of a concern as they contained non-medical grade silicone. The French regulator’s study of PIP implants has shown they bleed more silicone (the implant leaks some silicone through what appears to be a physically intact implant and this silicone can migrate to regional nodes or beyond). They also have a higher rupture rate and the non-medical grade silicone is also a tissue irritant causing potential inflammation.

Please contact Victoria Short, on 0113 3882008 to arrange for this type of consultation (please email if preferred: Victoria.Short@NuffieldHealth.com).

Mr Turton can retain the removed implants in most cases so that they can be returned to the patient if required for medical reports. Otherwise, he will photograph the implants and document the operative findings for any such report. See the section on PIP implants in the FAQ section of the menu above for further detailed information and the latest news.

 

ALCL:

There are some extremely rare disorders in Medicine. ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) is an extremely rare type of cancer of the T lymphocytes (white blood cells). The first case reported in the breast related to a silicone breast implant was around 1997. When it has formed in a woman with a breast implant it has usually formed just on the inner surface of the scar tissue that has formed around the breast implant (the capsule), and not in the breast tissue itself or elsewhere in the body. ALCL is recognised to very rarely occur in women’s breasts although its incidence is over 1000 times less than the standard type of breast cancer.  It occurs in the breast in women without implants at an estimated rate of 3 cases for every 100 million per year. When a breast implant is present it is thought to be associated with a crude estimated lifetime risk of 1 in 24,000 according to MHRA estimates in October 2018, which were updated to 1 in 15,000 risk estimate in 2022 (risk per implant) – see MHRA website for updates.

The history of the possible link of this rare lymphoma with silicone implants was suggested by the FDA in 2011. It has been difficult to accurately estimate the risk given it is so rare and the epidemiology is incomplete today due to shortcomings in reporting. There are different rates in different countries: For example, in France out of 340,000 women with implants there had been just 12 cases reported by October 2013. In the UK, as of 2017 there were just over 20 cases ever reported, and in October 2018 that figure was still under 50. In the USA, as of 2011, there were just 17 cases reported, where 4-million women have had implants. In Australia the TGA reported a total of 76 cases as their cumulative total ever reported as of January 2019. Given that the background rate of breast cancer in the general population of women without breast implants is a 1 in 8-lifetime risk, the excess occurrence of ALCL in women with implants is very small by comparison; but it is there and so women should be given the information that we have, and know what to do in the event of a concern.

Updated information for clinicians is available from the MHRA and also the Association of Breast Surgery.

 

Mr Turton runs a comprehensive breast service and offers a broad array of expertise in his clinics, with breast diagnosis and breast imaging, in addition to breast surgery.

If patients need an examination by a breast specialist they can also be seen in his clinic. Mr Turton conducts assessments for breast pain, breast lumps, family history of breast cancer or other concerns. If breast cancer is diagnosed and you have private medical insurance, all of the necessary treatment can be undertaken privately by our dedicated cancer multidisciplinary team.

Male Breast Problems, such as Gynaecomastia:

Mr Turton also specialises in the assessment of male breast disorders and all aspects of surgery for gynaecomastia. Male breast tissue excess (gynaecomastia) and fatty male breast tissue (usually called lipomastia or pseudo-gynaecomastia) require particular expertise to treat. Excision of firm tissue and liposuction of fatty tissue may be required. Mr Turton performs all aspects of gynaecomastia assessment and treatment and this has included young men who have had the problem since puberty, sports stars, professional rugby players, weight lifters and body builders, young and middle age men who have acquired the disorder physiologically, and other patients who developed the disorder as a side effect of medication. His surgical techniques use the best cosmetic approaches to minimise scars. However, overall, this type of surgery in men leaves dissatisfaction in a number of men due to the limitations in outcomes.

Male patients can just email his secretary Victoria Short asking for a consultation – many patients don’t like to talk about the problem and can use the following terms to make the booking as they please: “pectoral reduction” or “chest wall lump”, or “gynaecomastia” consultation. Victoria is a very experienced secretary who has worked in private practice for over 20-years and very much understands the anxieties that some patients have.

 

Other Specialist Breast Surgery:

For a summary of the comprehensive Specialist Breast Services available CLICK HERE.

Mr Turton operates from the two most prestigious Private Hospitals in the North of England: the Spire Leeds Hospital, situated in Roundhay Leeds (LS8 1NT) and the Leeds Nuffield Hospital (LS1 3EB), which has on-site underground free parking and is located in the centre of Leeds – it is just a 5-min walk from the main railway station.

Patients regularly travel to see Mr Turton from all over the UK, with the particular advantage that Leeds is such an excellent transport hub. The Leeds Nuffield really is so close to the Leeds railway station that a very high number of patients travel from London for their cosmetic surgery. Patients from further afield fly in!

We also have a proportion of Spanish and Irish patients who make use of the close proximity we have to Leeds Bradford Airport. It is just a 15-minute drive from Leeds and Bradford Airport (LBS). Both hospitals have state of the art equipment, comprehensive services and seamless integration with the multidisciplinary teams, as well as highly motivated professional and experienced staff. Of particular importance is that the hospital rates are amongst the most competitive in the UK.

Contact details may be found in the Consultation section of this website, but are summarised here:

Email: Victoria.Short@NuffieldHealth.com and for any telephone enquiries- 0113 3882008

 

This website contains a large amount of information on aesthetic breast surgery, and details Mr Turton’s views. The goal is to provide a detailed source of education in cosmetic breast surgery and to serve as a professional guide to patients and medical staff. Please do check with us before relying on any information on any of these pages, in case you accidentally find the website has not been updated!

Mr Turton wants to help patients understand more about Breast Surgery, the Specialist Breast Surgeon, and dedicated services offered in his practice as a Breast Specialist and Cosmetic Breast Surgeon.

 

Further information on breast augmentation provided by the MHRA, can be downloaded here.

The Department of Health booklet on advise to women considering breast augmentation can be downloaded here.

 

This website offers a personal opinion and should not be construed as advice to any particular patient or their condition. Data also changes and what appears on a personal website can quickly go out of date. It may be regarded as a source of general information eg to supplement that provided from a consultation.