Expert Breast Surgeon in Leeds:
Mr. Philip Turton

Mr. Philip Turton, a leading Consultant Breast Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgeon based in Leeds.

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Mr. Turton brings unparalleled expertise to the fields of cosmetic breast surgery and revision cosmetic breast procedures. In addition he is a specialist in breast cancer surgery and reconstructive breast surgery, 

His dedication to patient care, coupled with his extensive training and experience, ensures world-class outcomes for those seeking breast surgery for aesthetic or medical reasons.

Mr Turton is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Surgery for the University of Leeds and formerly worked for over 20 years as a Consultant Oncoplastic Breast surgeon for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

He has been involved in the training of over  20 Specialist Registrars and Fellows learning the intricacies of Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Reconstructive Breast Surgery and Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.

He was a member of the Education and Training Committee of the Association of Breast Surgery at BASO for 5 years and served as the regional ABS Committee representative serving on Council for a further 5-year tenure

He also served as the regional representative for Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Training and worked as the General Surgery representative (for Breast Surgery) on the Training Interface Group for Reconstructive Cosmetic Surgery working with Plastic Surgery colleagues for the mutual benefit of patients.

Mr Turton served as a member of the Aesthetic subcommittee for the Association of Breast Surgery. He served as an advisor on breast implants to the MHRA and for 5 years as a member of the Plastic,Reconstructive and Aesthetic  Surgery Expert Advisory Group. He wrote the UK National Guidelines on the Investigation and Treatment of BIA-ALCL.

Qualifications and Training

Mr. Turton began his medical journey in 1987, graduating from the Leeds University School of Medicine with multiple distinctions and honors.

After completing his house officer training at St. James’s University Teaching Hospital, he embarked on a comprehensive surgical training program. 

In 1996, he earned the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCSEd) and achieved an MD (Hons) for his groundbreaking research.

A significant part of his training included a Traveling Fellowship in the United States in 1999, where he visited renowned institutions like Stanford University Medical Center, the University of Colorado, and the Cleveland Clinic. This wonderful training program and international exposure honed his knowledge and ultimately led to the development of his surgical craftmanship over the next 30-years! It deepened his knowledge in breast surgery techniques, which he then went on to further refine with new ideas, achieving technical excellence in his field.

In essence, after completing his specialist training in General Surgery, Mr. Turton chose to super-specialize in Breast Surgery at an early stage. This included advanced training in Breast Reconstruction, Oncoplastic techniques, and Cosmetic Breast Surgery, which he has continued to refine through ongoing professional development.

Clinical Excellence

Between 2004 and 2024, Mr. Turton served as a Consultant Breast Surgeon at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, while also managing a thriving private practice at Leeds Nuffield and Leeds Spire Hospitals.

He performs an impressive volume of operations each year, addressing both cosmetic and oncological needs.

His expertise includes:

  • Cosmetic Breast Surgery: Breast augmentation, reduction, and mastopexy (breast lift) procedures tailored to enhance appearance while maintaining natural proportions.
  • Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: Innovative techniques that combine cancer treatment with aesthetic considerations, ensuring optimal cosmetic outcomes post-surgery.
  • Breast Reconstruction: Comprehensive options for restoring breast appearance at the time of mastectomy if oncologically appropriate, using implants, tissue flaps, or a combination of methods.
  • Male Breast Surgery: Specialized procedures for gynecomastia (male breast reduction) to restore confidence and contour.

Leadership and Teaching

A passionate educator, Mr. Turton served as an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. He played a pivotal role in training future surgeons in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery.

As a member of the Association of Breast Surgery (ABS) and formerly a founding member of its Aesthetic subcommittee, he actively contributed to shaping the future of breast surgery through lecturing, presentations, curriculum development and training programs.

Mr. Turton has participated in numerous international conferences and workshops, keeping his techniques at the forefront of modern advancements. 

From masterclasses in oncoplastic surgery to specialized courses in aesthetic procedures, he continually seeks innovative and safer approaches to surgery.

A Small Sample of Presentations
by Mr. Philip Turton

Advances in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery. Weetwood Hall, Leeds. 1st February 2007.

  • Bilateral Breast Augmentation and Cosmetic Breast Surgery. Mammary Fold Educational Event. Birmingham. May 2007.
  • Advanced Breast, Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Educational Event. York. October 2007.
  • Television Show: ITV1 October 2007. Filming by ITV Yorkshire on Breast Reduction.
  • Television Show: Diet Doctors Inside and Out, Series 3. Channel 5. On Male Breast Surgery for Gynaecomastia
  • Local Meeting: Oncoplastic and Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Grand Round presentation, Leeds General Infirmary. January 2008.
  • Yorkshire Evening Post Article February 2008: Question and Answer Column on Breast Reduction Surgery for large breasts.
  • Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Aesthetic Breast Reconstruction and Oncoplastic techniques. The Body Beautiful Meeting April 2008.
  • Yorkshire Evening Post Article June 2008: Question and Answer Column on Breast Enlargement Surgery for cosmetic breast augmentation.
  • 1st St George’s Oncoplastic Seminar. London. 14-15th 2008. Lecture on Nipple Reconstruction.
  • Yorkshire Oncoplastic Breast Surgeons. Annual presentation and discussion of complex cases. 2012-2015

How does a Specialist approach their patients?

Specialists must be judgment-safe and competent in their field of specialist practice. The specialist will offer choices to patients, share decisions with them sensitively and provide education and support for care.

They must be able to demonstrate the qualities and abilities to manage a clinical unit or team, ensuring high standards of professional care and effective working relationships with colleagues across professional disciplines.

The specialist will be able to monitor plans and initiatives, to evaluate them and ensure that modifications are made where appropriate. Specialists take on a leadership role within teams and organisations and will have the vision and foresight to develop new ways of working and the commitment to see projects and teams through to the end.

Specialists will demonstrate the personal capacity and qualities to respond positively to feedback from colleagues and patients, to take and accept responsibility for clinical decisions, and to manage and respond to complaints from families of patients and fellow professionals in a professional manner.

They must support teaching and training programmes for trainees, departments and staff under their supervision. Specialists must demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of care and ethical and professional behaviour within their speciality and within the medical profession as a whole. Training in Surgery underwent major changes since 1995 following the recommendations of the Calman-Hine Report. Patients with breast disease have since been seen and treated in highly specialised Breast Units by a Breast Surgery Specialist.

These surgeons will have received the highest level of training, through the parent speciality of general surgery, in breast diseases, breast cancer treatment and all aspects of surgery of the breast. They are full members of Association of Breast Surgery (ABS), a subspecialty association with more than 2000 members, who represent the many different professional groups who are treating breast cancer, share an interest in breast research, better models of training, data collection and patient care. Membership can be checked on the ABS website.

A Specialist Consultant Breast Surgeon should also, therefore, have held a substantive post in a UK hospital as a Specialist Breast Surgeon.

Details can be checked on most UK surgeons to see the area they operate on most frequently as an NHS consultant by looking up their details at their local hospital, and also by looking at the Specialist Info web site.

Cosmetic surgery covers a range of specialities, including not only plastic, otorhinolaryngological, maxillofacial and general surgery, the sub-specialty of breast surgery, but also ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, anaesthesia and clinical psychology.

Mr Turton will only provide cosmetic breast surgery services- ie keeping in line with his specialist area.

Operations performed by a surgeon should reflect their area of Specialisation. All doctors setting up as cosmetic surgeons for the first time from April 2002 must be on the GMC’s specialist register. They should also become Certified in Cosmetic Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons. Mr Turton was the first UK breast surgeon to achieve this Certification!

See what the Care Quality Commission says about the regulation of Cosmetic Breast Surgery, and review the Department of Health advice on finding a specialist for Cosmetic Surgery.

The MHRA also provides a lot of useful information about silicone implants and the curbs recommended to rid the industry of unscrupulous sales techniques and the reformation of the whole industry.

Don’t be afraid to ask a surgeon about his/her qualifications, experience and specialities. The GMC (www.gmc-uk.org) holds general and specialist registers of doctors practising in the UK. Contact them to check if the doctor or surgeon you have chosen is on their register.

BIA-ALCL

Understanding the role of Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon

The only route to becoming a Breast Specialist is through training as a Specialist in General Surgery with further super-specialisation in Breast Surgery. Breast reconstruction is a major part of the specialist breast surgeon’s workload and often involves major operations on the breast, and neighbouring structures to create skin and muscle flaps. 

In addition, the opposite breast is often also operated on to reduce its size (breast reduction), to lift it (mastopexy), or to enlarge it (breast augmentation) to produce better symmetry with the new breast.

Using breast plastic surgery techniques for oncological work enhances aesthetic results without compromising the oncological principles.

A Breast Surgeon receives training in all aspects of General Surgery (Endocrine surgery, Vascular Surgery, Visceral Surgery, Breast Surgery) and then Specialised training that focuses on the Breast: Therapeutic mammoplasty, Breast reconstruction, Breast tissue flaps, Breast implants and expanders, Breast Reduction and Augmentation, Male breast Surgery, Nipple-areola surgery and reconstruction.

In recent years there has been further development of this field of Oncoplastic Surgery. Accredited Breast Surgeons become members of ABS.

It is vitally important if you are having breast cancer surgery that your specialist is regularly performing Breast Operations of the type you are seeking as there are numerous examples in the literature that Specialists who concentrate on one body area (eg Breast) or disease (eg Breast cancer) have superior outcomes to those that practice more generally.

A Specialist Breast Surgeon should have extensive Breast Surgery experience and should perform breast surgery regularly as part of their NHS duties or have several decades of expertise in this area if just working in the private sector.

A Reconstructive Breast Surgeon and an Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon are specifically sub-specialised to perform more complex Breast Operations. You should, therefore, ask specifically about their volume of Breast reconstructive operations. 

If you are having a breast augmentation or reduction you should, of course, ask about their Cosmetic Breast Surgery experience. How many of this type of operation have they done since qualifying as a consultant?

Specialist Breast Surgeons and their group, the Association of Breast Surgery are driving and developing the Breast Curriculum for Specialist Breast Surgeons. This comprises training specifically in Aesthetic Breast Surgery, Oncoplastic Surgery as well as Breast Reconstruction.

Throughout the UK there are experienced senior surgeons who are positioned to offer the highest standards of Cosmetic Breast Surgery and who are trained in Breast Reconstructive and Oncoplastic techniques who are performing Aesthetic Breast Surgery to the highest standards and who are members of ABS. 

They are involved in providing excellent NHS service, private practice, teaching, overseeing fellowship posts, and working in partnership with their plastic surgery colleagues.

Why Choose Mr. Turton for your breast surgery?

Expertise and Experience: With over 200-300 breast surgeries performed annually, Mr. Turton has unmatched experience in his field. His dual focus on cancer treatment and cosmetic surgery ensures that patients receive comprehensive, high-quality care. He has over 20 years of consultant level expertise and is a recognised expert in cosmetic breast surgery in the UK.

Patient-Centered Approach: Mr. Turton believes in shared decision-making, providing patients with clear, personalized information about their options. His compassionate approach ensures that every patient feels supported throughout their journey.

Commitment to Excellence: Mr. Turton’s dedication to professional development and adherence to the highest standards of care make him one of the most trusted names in breast surgery. His membership in the General Medical Council’s specialist register guarantees his qualifications and expertise.

Events and Books recommended

  • Advanced Plastic Surgery of the Breast. Birmingham. November 2004.
  • Aesthetic Surgery of the Breast. European Symposium. Milan. December 2004.
  • Inamed Academy Programme Master-class on Cosmetic Breast Augmentation. Buckinghamshire. October 2005.
  • The British Association of Plastic Surgeons Educational Programme in Plastic Surgery: Breasts (March/April 2006).
  • Inamed Academy Phase 2: Akademikliniken, Stockholm, Sweden. April 2006.
  • Masterclass in Oncoplastic and Breast Reconstruction Surgery. November 2006.
  • Cancer research UK Clinical Trials Unit, 6th National Breast Trials
    Meeting, ICC. Birmingham. November 2006.
  • San Antonio 29th Annual Breast Symposium. San Antonio, Texas. December 2006.
  • 24th Miami Breast Conference. Latest Advances in Oncoplastic Techniques. Miami Beach Florida. February 2007.
  • Allergan Academy Aesthetic Breast Congress 2007. Comprehensive scientific programme covering breast aesthetics. Hilton Metropole Hotel, London. April 2007.
  • Liposuction, Lipomodelling, Water-jet liposuction. Training day with Hartmut Myer, Hamburg. May 2007.
  • Allergan Breast Augmentation with 410 implants. Preceptorship, Personal advanced training techniques, Live operative demonstrations, & Fast-track recovery from breast augmentation. William Adams, Dallas Cosmetic Surgeon. September 2007.
  • Breast Augmentation Advanced Course. Presented in association with the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the Royal College of Surgeons. September 2007.
  • The 4th Jersey Masterclass in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery. June 2008. International lecturers and live operative surgery.
  • Lipomodelling of the breast. Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow. September 2008
  • International Meeting of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgeons. Nottingham. 22-24 September 2008.
  • The 1st St George’s Oncoplastic Seminar. 14-15th October 2008. London.
  • Yorkshire Breast Cancer Network Study Day. 11-12th November 2008. Harrogate.
  • San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference. December 2008. San Antonio, USA.
  • St Gallen Breast Symposium. 13th March 2009. Switzerland.
  • Association of Breast Surgery Conference. 17th April 2009. Harrogate.
  • 1st North of England Breast Cancer Symposium. 25th April 2009.
  • Speciality skills in Oncoplastic Surgery. 8th September 2009, London.
  • Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery Conference. 28th September 2009.
  • San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference. 10-15 December 2009. San Antonio, USA.
  • 2nd North of England Breast Oncology Symposium. 24th April 2010.
  • Breast Masterclass. 8th July 2010. Birmingham.
  • Breast reconstruction utilising Strattice Reconstructive Tissue Matrix. 8th July 2010.
  • Modern concepts: breast aesthetics and reconstruction. 9-10th July 2010. Birmingham
  • Association of Breast Surgery Education and Training Committee Meeting. 18th Jan 2011. London
  • QUEST Breast Reconstruction Trial Meeting. 28th February 2011. London.
  • 3rd North of England Breast Oncology Meeting. 7th May 2011. Hull
  • Association of Breast Surgery Conference. 16-17th May 2011. Manchester
  • Association of Breast Surgery Education and Training Committee Meeting. 6th July 2011. London
  • Breast Update Course. 11th November 2011. Leeds. Invited lecture was given by Mr Turton on Modern Oncoplastic Breast Surgery and Advanced Techniques in Breast Reconstruction
  • 4th North of England Breast Oncology Meeting. 28th April 2012. Hull
  • 5th North of England Breast Oncology Meeting. 27th April 2013. Hull
  • Oncoplastic and Breast Reconstruction Conference. Nottingham. 23rd to 25th September 2013
  • Current Concepts in Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Royal Society of Medicine. 1st October 2013.
  • 6th North of England Breast Oncology Meeting. April 2014. Hull
  • 7th North of England Breast Oncology Meeting. April 2015. Hull
  • Beauty Through Science. Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Botox and Fillers. Stockholm. Sweden. 2015
  • Preceptorship in Cosmetic Beast Augmentation. Charles Randquist. Stockholm. Sweden. 2016
  • Allergan Medical Institute. Unlocking the Code to Facial Rejuvenation. Manchester. 2016

He reads widely around the subject of cosmetic breast surgery and enjoys teaching the techniques and lecturing to Specialist Breast Surgery trainees.

He also instructs Oncoplastic Breast Surgery trainees and has the privilege to assist their final phase of training before they take up their own substantive consultant posts.

A sample of relevant and interesting books which he owns has read and would recommend to other aesthetic breast surgeons include:

  • Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery by John Bostwick
  • Reoperative Plastic Surgery. Kenneth C. Shestak.
  • Breast Reconstruction with Autologous Tissue: Art and Artistry. Stephen S. Kroll.
  • Silicone Survivors: Women’s Experience With Breast Implants. Susan Zimmermann.
  • The Silicone Breast Implant Story: Communication and Uncertainty. Marsha L. Vanderford & David H. Smith.
  • The Augmented Breast: Radiologic and Clinical Perspectives. David P. Gorczyca & R. James Brenner.
  • Color Atlas of Mammaplasty (Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery). Paul K. McKissock.
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast: A Surgical Atlas. Heinz Bohmert.
  • Cosmetic Breast Surgery: A Complete Guide to Making the Right Decision–from A to Double D. Robert M. Freund & Alexander Van Dyne.
  • Atlas of Procedures in Breast cancer Surgery. Tari A King.
  • A Surgical DVD of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive procedures of the Breast. G Querci Della Rovere
  • Liposuction. C William Hanke & Gerhard Sattler.
  • Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Breast. GQ Della Rovere, JR Benson, N Breach and M Nava.
  • Injectable Fillers in Aesthetic Medicine. Mauricio de Maio and Berthold Rzany.
  • Cosmetic Injection Techniques. A Text and Video Guide to Neurotoxins and Fillers.
  • Facial Aesthetics. Concepts and Clinical Diagnosis. Farhad B. Naini.
  • The Male Patient in Aesthetic Medicine. Mauricio de Maio and Berthold Rzany.

Contact Mr. Turton

If you’re considering breast surgery in Leeds, Mr. Philip Turton offers the expertise and care you need. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic enhancement or treatment for breast conditions, he is committed to achieving exceptional results tailored to your needs.

To schedule a consultation or learn more about the services offered, please contact him at the Leeds Nuffield or Leeds Spire Hospitals. Mr. Turton and his dedicated team look forward to supporting you in achieving your goals with confidence and care.