Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive
and Hand Surgeon

Terry Creagh appreciates the uniqueness and intricacies of the human body. He understands undergoing a procedure maybe a deeply personal and emotional process for his patients. Terry spends time with his patients, to openly and honestly plan and discuss the results they want to achieve. With over 15 years experience in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, you can trust Terry to safely achieve the best outcome for you.

Expert care to achieve the best outcome for you.
Contact us today to book an expert consultation

Skin Cancer &
      Melanoma
Surgery

Skin cancers occur when skin cells begin to grown in an uncontrolled fashion. This can be a result of sun damage. There are three main types of skin cancer; Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Nonmelanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Terry has extensive experience with all forms of skin cancer treatment, providing you with the latest surgical techniques to minimise scarring and achieve the best cosmetic result.

Sentinel node biopsy is a technique used to identify which lymph glands your Melanoma is most likely to spread to, if it were to spread. The procedure consists of a radioactive substance and/or blue dye which is injected near the melanoma scar. The substance or dye flows through lymph ducts to the sentinel node or nodes (the first lymph node or nodes where cancer cells are likely to spread).

Terry removes only the nodes with the radioactive substance or dye. A pathologist views a sample of tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. If no cancer cells are found, it may not be necessary to have further surgical treatment

You can diagnose skin cancers in most cases by identifying changes to your skin early, so it is important to get your skin checked regularly to monitor any changes to your skin. Terry and his team can undertake a comprehensive check of your skin.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. New Zealand has the highest incidence of Melanoma in the world. The stage of the disease is determined by the thickness of the tumour, and the degree the melanoma has spread to lymph nodes and distant sites in the body. How advanced the melanoma is when it is diagnosed strongly influences the treatment.

For people who are treated early when melanoma affects only the superficial layers of the skin, the prognosis can be excellent and the disease is often controllable.Terry provides the latest treatment options in a multidisciplinary team environment to manage your melanoma.

If you are diagnosed with skin cancer, surgery may be recommended as the best option for removing the cancer and preventing its spread. Depending on the type of skin cancer and how much skin and tissue around the cancer needs to be removed, reconstructive surgery may be required to replace the skin and tissue and to minimize scarring.

There are many different surgical techniques including excision, skin grafting and complex flap surgery. Terry can advise you of the best form of reconstruction for you and can also show you examples of the reconstructions available.

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Breast
    Surgery

A breast reduction removes excess breast glandular tissue and skin to reshape and reduce the size of the breasts. Breast reduction surgery results are designed to relieve pain and discomfort associated with large breasts, improving self-image, and giving you a breast size and shape in proportion with the rest of your body.

There are a number of different breast reduction surgery techniques, and Terry can discuss the best option for you in the consultation.

Breast augmentation is sometimes referred to as a “breast aug” or “boob job”. It uses breast implants or your own body fat to increase the size of your breasts, restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, to achieve a more rounded shape, or to improve natural breast size symmetry.

Terry achieves excellent outcomes using only the highest-quality breast implants, with proven clinical outcomes. He will recommend either fat transfer method or implant method to achieve your desired shape and projection that suits your figure best. He wants to create you a pleasing, balanced appearance in proportion to your shoulders, rib cage and hips.

Breast reconstruction is a common surgical procedure for women who have had a mastectomy or partial mastectomy. The procedure can create a breast that resembles a natural breast in appearance and form. Breast reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for a woman who has had a mastectomy or breast surgery due to cancer.

Breast reconstruction is a highly-individualised procedure. Terry will assess your condition and general health, and plan the specific reconstruction techniques that are best suited to you.

Gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size in men with the removal of excess skin, fat and glandular tissue to flatten and enhance the chest contours. This is a very common and successful procedure for treatment of male breast enlargement.

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Sometimes the areola can become enlarged over time, and a breast lift will address this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted.

Breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, aging, gravity, and genetics. Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast augmentation surgery. Terry will discuss the options with you to ensure your surgery gives you the results you want.

Fat transfer breast augmentation uses your own fatty tissue from other areas of your body and transfers it into your breasts. This is a breast augmentation option for women who are looking for a relatively small to moderate increase in breast size and would prefer natural results.

As young women go through adolescence and their breasts develop, it’s possible for each breast to have a different size or shape. In fact, most women have slight differences between their breasts, often which are hardly noticeable. However, some women experience a significant abnormality in the size of their breasts, which are caused by either genetic tendencies or differences in which paired organs like breasts grow.

Either way, breast asymmetry can be a difficult condition for any woman. Fortunately, there are surgical options available to correct these kinds of abnormalities including fat transfer methods and breast reconstructive surgery skills.

Nipple correction surgery corrects problems associated with enlarged, asymmetrical, protruding or inverted nipples and can be seen in both men and women.

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Body
   Contouring

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, involves the removal of loose skin from the abdomen and sometimes tightening the abdominal wall muscles. The belly button is then relocated after the skin is removed.

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are women following childbirth or after massive weight loss in both men and women. The skin and abdominal wall muscles are tightened and result in restoring your figure.

Weight loss has many benefits. However after any substantial amount of weight loss due to weight loss surgery and/or lifestyle changes, the skin and tissues often lack the elasticity to conform to the reduced body size. This may leave empty folds of skin on the face, neck, arms, chest, breast, tummy, back and thighs. These excess folds of skin can cause problems with rashes, problems with mobility and exercise, difficulty fitting clothing and concerns about body image.

This surgery removes excess skin and is tailored to fit the smaller body underneath. The improvement in body shape can result in scars where the skin is removed. Terry has extensive experience in patients with massive weight loss and surgery to correct and improve their body shape and can advise the best

Arm lift, or brachioplasty, involves the removal of loose and hanging skin from the inside of the upper arm. This tightens the skin of the entire upper arm giving it a more attractive and youthful appearance.

An arm lift involves making an incision on the inside of the upper arm. Excess skin and soft tissue are then removed. The excess skin and soft tissue are then cut away. The incision is then closed, leaving a hidden scar on the inside of the upper arm, and resulting in a much better contour of the upper arm.

Liposuction is the surgical suctioning of unwanted fat collections from many areas of the body. It is used for localized collections of fat from almost any area of the body. It can be used on the face and neck, hips, thighs, abdomen, neck/chin, arms or chest. The technique requires only tiny incisions, so there is minimal scarring.

With liposuction, the goal is to improve shape and figure. The contours of the body are changed to create a slimmer figure. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy and relatively fit, have firm, elastic skin, and good muscle tone.

Labiaplasty refers to a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora. It is the most commonly performed female genital plastic surgery procedure. Enlarged labia may interfere with self-confidence, sexual activity, and the activities of daily living.

During a labiaplasty procedure, Terry carefully removes any excess tissue and reshapes the region, yielding a more desirable shape. Particular attention is paid to the preservation of nerves to the region as well as the placement of incisions to avoid any changes in sensation. Terry will assess you and discuss what options may be suitable for you if surgery is desired.

A thigh lift reshapes the thighs by removing excess skin and fat from the inside of the thigh. This tightens the skin of the thigh resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body.

If fitness and weight control efforts have not achieved your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a surgical thigh lift may be right for you. Thigh lifts are not intended strictly for the removal of excess fat. Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contours. Terry can offer advice if a thigh lift

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Hand
   Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes numbness, tingling and other symptoms in the hand and arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a compressed nerve in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of your wrist. The carpal tunnel has a fixed volume, and normally the structures within it fit snugly. Any increase in size of the contents, or reduction in size of the tunnel, leads to a rise in pressure, and the nerve is the structure most sensitive to this change.

The anatomy of your wrist, health problems, and possibly repetitive hand motions can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. More severe compression, especially when there is permanently loss of feeling or wasting and weakness of muscles, should be treated by an operation to decompress the nerve. Proper treatment usually relieves the tingling and numbness and restores wrist and hand function.

Trigger finger is a painful condition in which the affected finger is unable to properly bend and extend. The affected finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position and then straightens with a snap. If severe, the finger may become permanently bent and/or unable to straighten. This condition can be caused by inflammation of the tendon or surrounding structures in the finger.

There are several treatment options available for a trigger finger, of which Terry can advise the best course of action.

The structures of our hands – the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and other tissues – are highly susceptible to damage caused by trauma from accidents and injuries. The hands are a particularly common site for traumatic injury because they are so often in use. For that same reason, it is essential to treat any injury to the hands promptly and completely to ensure that maximum mobility and functionality are restored

Treatment for accidents or injuries can vary depending on the type and severity of the trauma to the hand. Many injuries require a surgical procedure to ensure that complete healing can occur. This may involve reconstruction of the soft tissue, bones or joints. In cases of soft tissue injury, surgical reconstruction will focus on repair of the damaged area of the body. A complex reconstructive procedure may be performed. Severe trauma may require flap surgery in which blood vessels, muscle, fat and skin tissue are taken from a healthy area of the body and transferred to damaged areas to enable reconstruction.

Surgery to investigate a damaged nerve that is not complicated by other injuries is usually performed soon after the injury occurs in order to increase the likelihood of a full recovery. Nerve repairs that are associated with other more complicated injuries may occur weeks after the trauma.

If severed, Terry may repair the nerve by reattaching it directly to the other end of the nerve, or by using a nerve graft (inserting nerves from other areas of the body in place of the damaged nerve) to repair the damaged section.

Dupuytren’s contracture is a hand deformity disease that usually develops over years. The condition affects the layer of fascia tissue that lies under the skin of your palm. Fascia is made of collagen fibres and forms bands of connective tissue that run underneath the skin of your palm and fingers. This connective tissue binds the skin of your palm and fingers to underlying structures, such as tendons and bones, and makes your grip strong.

If you have Dupuytren’s disease (DD) this fascial layer becomes thickened and forms nodules under the skin. Over time the nodules can extend to form a cord. The cords prevent your fingers from being able to straighten completely. Over time, the contractures of the fingers can become quite severe and the finger can become fixed in a bent position. Sometimes the nodules can be painful. Terry has extensive experience in surgical and non-operative management

Ganglion cysts are benign masses that can develop along tendons or joints in your hands or wrists. In most cases, they are harmless, but they may cause discomfort if they are interfering with a nerve pathway. These fluid-filled cysts can vary in size, but are usually round. A ganglion cyst can arise quickly, change in size, and even disappear on their own

If you have a ganglion cyst that interferes with function, range of motion, causes pain or disfigurement, Terry can surgically remove it to improve your function and comfort.

Tendon injuries are common when the hand is injured by a sharp object. Though the external injury may seem innocuous, the damage caused can be severe. These injuries need careful surgery, which Terry can provide.

Whenever there is a loss of tendon or a long delay in treating a tendon injury, a tendon graft is necessary. It involves replacing the tendon gap by surgery and a prolonged use of a splint and physiotherapy treatments.

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  Facial Surgery
& Rejuvenation

A facelift improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, and restores youthful volume and proportion to an aging face. The loss of youthful contours in the face can be due to variety of factors, including thinning of the skin, loss of facial fat, gravity, sun damage, smoking, as well as heredity and stress.

The procedure consists of the removal of excessive folds of skin and suspension of deeper tissues to give a natural improvement with inconspicuous scars.

Nose reshaping or rhinoplasty surgery involves reshaping of the nose both on the inside and the outside. This not only can approve appearance, but also can improve breathing function through the nose. Keeping the nose looking un-operated on and natural looking is absolutely paramount in achieving the best result.

Successful modern rhinoplasty surgery needs to be customised to the individual. It is imperative that the shape of the new nose is in balance with the other key areas of the face such as the chin, forehead and cheeks.

Brow-lift (foreheadplasty) can create a brighter, friendlier look to the face by raising drooping eyebrows and eliminating frown lines, improving the appearance of the forehead and around the eye area.

It is a surgical procedure that re-suspends the skin and soft tissue of the forehead and upper eyes, smoothing the forehead skin and addressing the vertical and horizontal wrinkles of the forehead.

Wrinkles can be caused by aging, sun exposure, or muscle contraction. Botox addresses the specific wrinkles that are a result of muscle contraction. Most specifically, Botox effectively treats the transverse and horizontal wrinkles of the forehead, the crows feet by the eyes, and some of the wrinkles below the mouth and chin. In addition to making you look younger, Botox can make certain people look happier or less angry. Botox can also sometimes even give someone the appearance of a brow lift, while avoiding surgery.

Botulinum toxin is the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure performed. The product is extremely safe, has no downtime and the injections only cause very minimal discomfort. Terry and his team will work with you to address your concerns and ensure a natural-looking result.

Over time, eyes undergo changes that often make people feel as if they appear sad or tired. The aging process can cause the eyelids to sag and droop, which in combination with bags and puffiness can make you look tired and older than you really are. Both upper and lower eyelid surgery can make a dramatic change to the way you feel and look to the outside world.

Eyelid surgery involves removal of extra skin and muscle from the upper or lower eyelids. Usually a small amount of fat is also removed in this procedure. This fat removal improves the appearance of bags under the eyes. Often an eyelid tightening procedure will be performed in conjunction with the procedure.

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. Otoplasty can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth that becomes apparent with development, or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury.

Ear surgery creates a more natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem.

A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck. A neck lift is usually performed in conjunction with a face lift to tighten folds of skin under the chin. Excess fat can be removed with liposuction or direct surgery. In mild conditions the neck may be treated by itself.

Cosmetic fillers are usually naturally derived products utilised to alter facial volume and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. As we understand more about the elements in facial aging, we are finding broader indications for fillers. As an example, fillers can be used to hide the dark circles under the eyes, perform small brow lifts, face lifts, and even be used to fill in deep scars.

Fillers can also be used on the hands to give them a more youthful appearance.

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About
   Terry Creagh

Mr Terry Creagh is a New Zealand trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon who works both in the private and public sector.

His track record of patient satisfaction is second to none. Terry was trained as a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in New Zealand. He spent several years the United Kingdom extending his skill set. He has extensive training with world-leading plastic surgeons in Glasgow and London, and was pleased to be able to bring back this cutting edge global expertise to New Zealand.

His Christchurch team is committed to patient welfare – before, during and after any surgery. To achieve this, Mr Creagh engages closely with local GPs both in Canterbury and West Coast to find the best solutions for their patients.

Terry offers an extensive range of plastic and reconstructive procedures in his private clinic on the St Georges Hospital campus. He enjoys teaming up with other specialists to combine skill sets for complex plastic surgery and trauma cases in the public and private hospitals. Mr Creagh is the chairman of the board of plastic surgery training in New Zealand and leads the training for New Zealand’s future plastic surgeons. He is recognised and registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Terry likes getting to know his patients and their families. His approachable and empathetic manner ensures his patients and their families trust him and feel comfortable asking questions.

When Terry is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three teenage sons in Christchurch. He is a keen mountain biker and skier.

    Terrence Creagh at a Glance
  • BA, BSc Canterbury
  • MBChB, Otago Medical School
  • MRCS (Eng) Royal College of Surgeons England
  • FRACS (Plast) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Senior Clinical lecturer Otago University
  • Chairman of the New Zealand Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Training
  • Dual Specialist Registration as Specialist Plastic Surgeon in New Zealand and United Kingdom
  • Fellowship training in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery in London at The Wellington Hospital and King Edward Hospital with world leading Harley Street Plastic Surgeons.
  • Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon at Canniesburn Plastic Surgical Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland
  • Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive Hand Surgeon at Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals, Southern Cross Hospital, St Georges Hospital and Greymouth Hospital, West Coast

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Contact Us

You can find us at:
Hiatt Chambers
St Georges Hospital
249 Papanui Road
Christchurch 8014

+64 03 355 1499
info@terrycreagh.co.nz