Biography

I am a UK-trained Oncoplastic Breast and reconstructive surgeon based in Christchurch, NZ. My family and I moved to Christchurch in 2009 where I was appointed as the first Oncoplastic Breast surgeon in Canterbury District Health Board. I qualified as a doctor from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi University and moved to the UK in 1991 to pursue my surgical training. I became the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1996 and after completing Higher Surgical Training (JCHST) and Intercollegiate Fellowship (FRCS Ed Gen) in 2006; I was appointed as a Consultant Oncoplastic Breast and General Surgeon in 2006 in the UK. 

 

Following my appointment in Christchurch, I have introduced several surgical techniques to modernise breast cancer treatment in Christchurch, such as therapeutic reduction mammoplasty, nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, even in patients who require Radiotherapy as part of treatment. I undertake risk-reducing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction for women with genetic mutations, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2, and TP53. I introduced a novel skin-reducing/ nipple-sparing mastectomy technique and an extended lateral chest wall perforator flap for volume replacement and complete autologous flap reconstruction following mastectomy. 

 

More recently, I have introduced a non-wire localisation technique to help retrieve non-palpable cancers using SCOUT reflector (Merit Medical) so that women can be spared the need for a hook-wire prior to surgery. The first New Zealand woman to have the SCOUT procedure was undertaken in Christchurch. I have also introduced aesthetic flat mastectomy with nipple-sensation preservation and Goldilocks mastectomy for select cases. 

 

In addition to cancer surgery, I undertake a multitude of benign procedures such as breast reduction, breast lift, implant augmentation, correction of congenital asymmetry, fat grafting to correct contour deformity following previous surgery/ radiotherapy, gynaecomastia surgery for men and removal of old breast implants and corrective surgery. 

 

I have been a faculty member for the Oncoplastic workshop under the auspices of Breast SurgANZ since its origin in 2012; to help train post Fellowship trainees and established consultant surgeons in the art of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery. Some of my roles in include: Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago - School of Medicine and an External Specialist Advisor for ACC and the Health and Disability Commission (HDC). 

 

I am passionate about offering modern and safe surgical options for the treatment of cancer and benign breast conditions for women in New Zealand.