Do I Need Surgery? A Plastic Surgeon’s Answer, from Cambridge Sausage and Cider Fest

Aesthetic surgery isn’t about fixing flaws — it’s about improving how you feel.

Patients often come to consultations and ask, “What surgery do I need?”

But the honest answer is: it’s not for your surgeon to decide — at least, not without understanding you first.

That’s because cosmetic surgery isn’t about correcting someone who doesn’t look “right.” It’s about treating the emotional consequences of physical features, and more importantly, helping patients who are actively being held back by their appearance.

Let me explain.

Confidence vs. Correction: The Sausage and Cider Epiphany

This weekend, as a Father’s day treat from organised by the lovely Mrs UB, I found myself at the Cambridge Sausage and Cider Festival (yes, that’s a thing, and it was great - pre-booking for next year here). As you’d expect from a festival, it was wall-to-wall hot pants and boots. That’s a lot of exposed legs in one field.

It just so happened that only days before, I’d completed advanced leg liposuction training session with my friend and colleague Dr. Jafar Jorjani. We had spent hours studying ideal leg aesthetics - proportions, silhouette, transitions - how to achieve them surgically, and time together in the operating room. (Aside: one of the best things about my job is the international community of friends I’ve made and the chance to catch up often in unexpected places).

So as I enjoyed the festival, my brain inevitably began cross-referencing every pair of legs I saw against the so-called aesthetic ideal.

And do you know what I realised? Almost none of them matched that ideal.

But did any of them “need” surgery? Absolutely not.

They didn’t need it — because they had the confidence to wear what they loved and enjoy themselves, completely unbothered by aesthetic theory. There was no problem to fix.

When Surgery Is the Right Step

Now let’s talk about the people I didn’t see at the festival.

The ones at home, avoiding festivals entirely because they’re deeply uncomfortable showing their legs in public.

The people who feel restricted, not because of how their body looks, but because of how it makes them feel - and what it prevents them from doing. That’s who I’m here to help.

Aesthetic surgery isn’t about meeting an ideal. It’s about treating the psychological impact of a physical trait, and the avoidance behaviours that follow - whether it’s skipping holidays, wearing heavy layers in summer, or avoiding intimacy or social events.

So, What Surgery Do You “Need”?

That depends entirely on one thing: Is there something about your body that’s stopping you from living your life fully?

If the answer is yes, then we can talk about solutions — whether that’s liposuction, tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast surgery, or non-surgical contouring.

But if you’re confident, happy, and free to be yourself? Then you don’t need anything.

So when you ask us, “What would you do for me?” — don’t be surprised if we pause before answering. We’re not being evasive. We’re just trying to understand you first.

Because what you need isn’t based on a measuring tape or a before-and-after gallery. It’s based on your experience of living in your body.

Want to Talk It Through?

If you’re not sure whether surgery is right for you, that’s okay — the first step is simply a conversation.

Book a consultation with us at Eterno 360° in Eton near Windsor.

We’ll help you explore how you’re feeling, what’s holding you back (if anything), and whether we can safely and meaningfully help.

This isn’t about looking different. It’s about feeling like you again.