Nakul Patel
Consultant Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon · Leicester, Nottingham & the East Midlands
The best surgery — like the best architecture — is barely visible. It fits. It works. It lasts. And behind it is an enormous amount of careful thought that the finished result quietly conceals.
I was drawn to the idea of designing structures that would stand for decades — thoughtful, functional, beautiful. I never did become an architect. But I have spent my surgical career thinking about the human body in much the same way.
Surgery, at its most meaningful, is about reconstruction. About understanding a problem in three dimensions, designing a solution, and building something that restores form and function to a person's life.
That is the philosophy I bring to every patient I see. Whether you are considering a procedure you have been thinking about for years, navigating a cancer diagnosis, or bringing your child for the first time — I will take the time to understand your situation fully, explain your options clearly, and only recommend what I genuinely believe is right for you.
I am a Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Head of the Plastic Surgery Department at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. I trained at St Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, and received world-class training in plastic surgery across the UK and North America — completing six prestigious fellowships in Cosmetic Surgery, Laser, Skin Cancer, Breast Reconstruction and Microsurgery.
Mr Patel trained at St Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, with specialist training across London, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Norwich, Swansea, Stevenage, Nottingham and North America.
This international training has shaped his expertise across both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, ensuring patients benefit from the very latest knowledge and techniques.
Conventional reconstruction was not an option. The case required a technique barely used since the World Wars: temporarily attaching the hand to the patient's abdomen, using the body's own living tissue as a biological scaffold, before completing the repair weeks later.
The patient, Martin Shaw, went home with a functioning hand. The story was reported by the BBC — and on the day of publication, it was the most-read article on the BBC News website in the entire world.
"The very best surgery draws on the full breadth of what the human body can do. Sometimes that means the latest technology. Sometimes it means reaching back to a technique that has been around for a hundred years — and understanding exactly when and how to apply it."
Mr Patel is a dedicated educator and researcher, currently writing Core Surgical Procedures at a Glance: Plastic Surgery to help train junior surgeons — and has lectured internationally, including at the University of Manitoba, Canada.
Contributions include:
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Microsurgery: Global Perspectives
Microsurgery: Global Perspectives
I illustrate surgical techniques for medical textbooks, journals and articles. I draw because I think in pictures — and because communicating a complex three-dimensional problem clearly is a skill that applies as much to the operating theatre as it does to the page.
You will find examples of my work in the Research & Publications section. My illustrations have been published in textbooks used to train surgeons internationally.
★★★★★“To have a plastic surgeon of this calibre in our part of the UK is unprecedented. His work is masterful.”
Reinhart Nel
★★★★★“I couldn't be more grateful for the outstanding care, skill, and support. The results exceeded my expectations.”
Julia Joss
★★★★★“He even played Taylor Swift for my daughter to make her feel relaxed. Bringing back my daughter's confidence means the world.”
Bee Dokal
★★★★★“This reduction surgery has genuinely changed my life. I cannot recommend Mr Patel highly enough.”
Emily Richardson
★★★★★“I felt safe, informed and supported from start to finish.”
Verified Google Review
★★★★★“Mr Patel restored my confidence — he changed my life.”
Verified Google Review
Whether it's cosmetic breast surgery, breast reconstruction, skin cancer surgery, or complex reconstructive procedures — the goal remains the same: results that look natural and restore confidence.
Every enquiry is answered personally — with the help of Kristina, ensuring your journey is seamless from first contact to aftercare.
Book a private consultation with Mr Nakul Patel to discuss your goals and explore your options in a warm, confidential setting.
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