We are delighted to have opened during these challenging times, as the lockdown restrictions ease.
In line with government advice, we have opened for medical consultations, treatments and surgery. Please do enquire if you are unsure about your situation with regards to treatment
We are pleased to be able to offer video consultations to everyone.
Marc and the Purity Bridge Team
Please read here › for more information on the measures we are taking, and the steps we also need you to take before your visit XSkin cancers may come in a variety of forms and all need some sort of treatment. The treatment is most commonly performed surgically, with the lesion removed so it can be analysed in the laboratory. Broadly speaking, the three most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), which are usually not capable of spreading; squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and melanomas, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Mr Marc Pacifico MD FRCS(Plast) has been described as one of his generation’s rising stars in plastic surgery. His academic, surgical and practice achievements include, amongst others, coming top in the UK’s consultant level plastic surgery examinations (being awarded the Gold Medal), the publication of over 50 international peer-reviewed papers, being a regular invited speaker at conferences and the opening of his own private clinic, Purity Bridge, alongside his busy private surgical practice. He has built his reputation on a combination of a high level of surgical skill, his artistic eye and his holistic, friendly approach to patient care. His particular areas of interest include plastic surgery to the face and breast, as well as body contouring surgery. The look Marc aims to achieve is a natural, fresh look, in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Marc particularly focuses on the care his patients receive pre- and post-operatively, in order to optimize the outcome of surgery and provide all under his care with a smooth recovery after their procedure. Marc recognizes the continuum between non-surgical and surgical techniques, using all available options to formulate a bespoke treatment plan for every individual. This process has been further enabled by the opening of his private clinic Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells, that provides the best level of care possible to his patients. The art of rejuvenation is not a “one stop shop” but rather a process, with the right procedure required at the right time for the right outcome. That means maintaining surgical results with specifically timed non-surgical interventions, as well as a global approach to the individual that is outcome driven. Marc Pacifico is a fully accredited specialist in plastic surgery, and is on the Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery with the General Medical Council (number 4412407) and a member of BAAPS,BAPRAS and ISAPS. See a short video introduction to Marc here ›
Ms Nora Nugent FRCS(Plast) has joined Purity Bridge where she offers an individually tailored modern plastic surgery practice. The cornerstones of her practice are good communication with you and meticulous attention to detail as she feels this is vital to your decision to undergo any treatment under her care. This ethos is continued from your first consultation through to the end of your treatment to ensure that you get the highest possible care and are fully supported during this time. Nora aims to provide you with a clear and honest opinion on your condition and will ensure that you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have before proceeding with treatment. Nora graduated from medical school at University College Dublin and completed her specialist training in plastic surgery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. To further develop her clinical expertise and skills, she then undertook specialist fellowships in North America and Australia. Training in advanced burn critical care and burn surgery (acute and reconstructive) was undertaken during her fellowship at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Galveston, Texas. Prior to taking up her consultant post in the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Nora obtained additional subspecialty training in Australia completing a plastic surgery fellowship at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney which encompassed both aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery and reconstructive surgery (including microsurgery) and also a hand surgery fellowship with Victorian Hand Surgery Associates, Melbourne. This allows her to offer you a wide range of procedures across the spectrum of plastic surgery. She has experience in all areas of aesthetic surgery including breast, facial and abdominal surgery and strives to achieve a natural rejuvenated appearance for her patients. For some this may be a skin rejuvenation technique while for others surgery can be a better option. Nora Nugent is a fully qualified plastic surgeon with the FRCS (Plast) qualification and has specialist registration in plastic surgery with the General Medical Council. She is a member of BAPRAS and IAPS. Nora maintains a broad range of clinical interests within plastic surgery and regularly attends conferences within the specialty to keep up to date with evolving techniques and new developments in plastic surgery. She is also a member of multidisciplinary clinical groups overseeing the management of burns, skin cancer and lower limb injuries in the South East of England. While always looking for ways to improve the care she can provide, Nora will only offer new procedures once she is satisfied that they have been evaluated fully and offer a clear benefit to her patients.
Most skin cancer removal can be performed under local anaesthetic (with you awake) in our procedure room. Once the injection of anaesthetic is gently given, the procedure involves surgically removing the skin cancer and carefully stitching the wound. If the “defect” left after the removal of the skin cancer is too large to stitch, plastic surgery techniques such as skin grafting or the use of skin flaps may be required to close the wound.
The aim of skin cancer removal is complete cure. The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC or rodent ulcer) does not spread, so once completely removed surgically, it has a very low risk of coming back. If it does so, it would be in the same place as it originally was, and it is normally a simple procedure to re-excise it.
Other skin cancers include squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma (MM), which both have the capability of spreading. However, if caught and removed early enough, cure is also possible.
Therefore, early diagnosis and removal of a skin cancer is crucial.
Removal and testing | £690 |
reconstruction costs added if required |
A single “simple” skin cancer may take around 20-minutes to remove, with more complex procedures taking over an hour.
The procedure is performed as an “office-based” procedure performed under local anaesthetic. This allows a speedy recovery. Stitches will be used that are usually kept in for around 7-14 days. There will be tapes over the stitches which are left in place until you return to have the stitches removed. Alternatively, it is sometimes appropriate to for dissolvable stitches to be used, in which case you will be invited back for a wound check at an appropriate time after surgery (usually around 2-weeks).
It is recommended that no sporting or strenuous activity is performed until around a week after the stitches are removed. Showering and washing is possible – as long as attention is paid to the surgical tapes to ensure they are dry afterwards (a hair dryer on a cold setting is very useful for this).
Skin cancer removal has a high success rate. The scar(s) will be red initially, which is quite normal, and will then fade gradually. Scars can take over a year to completely fade in some people. Depending on the type of skin cancer diagnosed, it is sometimes necessary to have a further surgical procedure, but this will be discussed with you at the time of your initial consultation.
The following complications may be associated with this procedure:
Recurrence of the skin cancer can also sometimes occur – usually around the scar. If this happens, it will require further surgery. In addition, if the laboratory analysis suggests that some of the “roots” of the skin cancer may be left behind, further surgery might be required too.
Prices starts from £670
Purity Bridge is the trading name of Tunbridge Wells Plastic Surgery Ltd, registered in England & Wales with company registration number 8226611. Tunbridge Wells Plastic Surgery Ltd is registered and regulated by The Care Quality Commission.