Living with painful, heavy legs that don’t seem to respond to diet or exercise can be frustrating and, for many women, confusing. If you think you may have lipoedema or have already received a diagnosis, our specialist team is here to help you understand your options.
At Hunar Clinic, we provide comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment for lipoedema, focusing on improving comfort, mobility and quality of life. Every treatment plan begins with a detailed consultation to understand your symptoms, medical history and goals, so we can recommend the most appropriate approach for you.
Conveniently located for patients in Beaconsfield and the surrounding Buckinghamshire area, we welcome people seeking expert advice, whether they are looking for an initial diagnosis, conservative management or specialist surgical treatment.
Book your specialist lipoedema consultation today to discuss your symptoms and receive personalised advice in a supportive, doctor-led environment.
What Is Lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a long-term condition that causes an abnormal build-up of fat, most commonly affecting the hips, buttocks, thighs and lower legs. It almost exclusively affects women and often develops or becomes more noticeable during times of hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
Unlike ordinary body fat, lipoedema fat responds differently to diet and exercise. Many women find that although they can lose weight from other parts of their body, their legs or arms remain disproportionately larger, often accompanied by pain, tenderness, swelling and easy bruising.
Because the symptoms can resemble obesity or lymphoedema, many people live with lipoedema for years before receiving the correct diagnosis. This delay can be frustrating and may allow symptoms to progress over time.
Although there is currently no cure for lipoedema, effective treatment can help manage symptoms, improve mobility and enhance quality of life. Depending on your individual needs, this may include conservative management, lifestyle guidance or specialist surgical treatment following a comprehensive clinical assessment.
If you are concerned about persistent symptoms and live in or around Beaconsfield, an assessment with an experienced clinician can help determine whether lipoedema is the underlying cause and discuss the treatment options available to you.
Not sure whether your symptoms could be lipoedema?
Continue reading to learn about the most common signs and when to seek specialist advice.
Could Your Symptoms Be Lipoedema?
Many people live with lipoedema for years before receiving the correct diagnosis. The symptoms often develop gradually and are sometimes mistaken for weight gain, cellulite or lymphoedema. If you’ve been told to lose weight but your legs or arms remain disproportionately larger despite your efforts, it’s worth seeking a specialist assessment.
Common signs of lipoedema include:
- Disproportionate fat build-up in the legs, hips or buttocks, and sometimes the arms.
- Pain, tenderness or sensitivity when the affected areas are touched.
- Legs that feel heavy or tired, particularly after standing for long periods.
- Easy bruising without a clear cause.
- Swelling that tends to worsen during the day.
- Fat deposits that respond poorly to diet and exercise.
- Feet that are usually unaffected, creating a noticeable “step” at the ankles in many cases.
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and their severity can vary from person to person. Some women notice changes around puberty, while others first develop symptoms during pregnancy or menopause.
These signs do not automatically mean you have lipoedema. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, which is why a thorough clinical assessment is so important. An experienced clinician will consider your medical history, examine the affected areas and determine whether lipoedema or another condition is the most likely cause.
If you live in Beaconsfield or the surrounding area and are concerned about persistent symptoms, an early assessment can provide clarity and help you explore the most appropriate treatment options.
Concerned that your symptoms could be lipoedema?
Lipoedema vs Obesity vs Lymphoedema: What’s the difference?
Lipoedema is often confused with obesity or lymphoedema because all three conditions can affect the size and appearance of the legs. However, they have different underlying causes and require different approaches to treatment. Receiving the correct diagnosis is an important first step in choosing the most appropriate care.
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Lipoedema
Lipoedema is a chronic condition that causes a symmetrical build-up of abnormal fat, usually affecting the hips, thighs, legs and sometimes the arms. The affected areas may feel painful, tender and bruise easily. Many women notice that their upper body loses weight more readily than their lower body, even with healthy eating and regular exercise.
Obesity
Lymphoedema
Although these conditions can occur independently, it is possible for someone with lipoedema to develop lymphoedema over time. This is known as lipo-lymphoedema and requires specialist assessment and management.
Because the symptoms can overlap, it is not possible to diagnose lipoedema based on appearance alone. A thorough consultation helps identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and ensures your treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs.
Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, the next step is understanding which treatment options are most appropriate for your individual symptoms and stage of lipoedema.
Your Lipoedema Treatment Options
There is no single treatment that is right for everyone with lipoedema. The most appropriate approach depends on the severity of your symptoms, how the condition affects your daily life, your overall health and your treatment goals.
Your consultation is designed to understand these factors before any recommendations are made. In many cases, treatment involves a combination of approaches rather than a single intervention.
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Conservative Management
For some people, conservative management can help improve comfort and reduce symptoms. Depending on your individual needs, this may include:
- Compression garments to support the affected limbs.
- Exercise programmes that promote mobility without placing excessive strain on the joints.
- Weight management advice to support overall health, although this will not remove lipoedema fat.
- Manual lymphatic drainage where clinically appropriate to help manage associated swelling.
While these measures do not cure lipoedema, they can play an important role in long-term symptom management and may help slow progression for some patients.
Surgical Treatment
Many patients experience improvements in pain, mobility and day-to-day comfort following surgery. However, treatment is not simply about removing fat. Careful patient selection, detailed planning and ongoing aftercare all contribute to achieving the best possible outcome.
What are the treatment options for lipoedema?
How We Decide on the Right Treatment
Every recommendation is based on a comprehensive clinical assessment rather than a fixed treatment pathway.
During your consultation, we consider:
- Your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
- The stage and distribution of lipoedema.
- Your medical history and general health.
- Previous treatments you have tried.
- Your expectations and personal goals.
This personalised approach helps ensure that any treatment recommended is appropriate for your individual circumstances and supports realistic, long-term improvements rather than short-term cosmetic change.
Book a Specialist Consultation
Every treatment plan begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate approach.
Recovery after Lipoedema treatment
Recovery is an important part of your treatment journey and can influence the results you achieve over the longer term. While every patient’s experience is different, understanding what to expect can help you prepare with confidence.
If you undergo lymphatic-sparing liposuction, it is normal to experience swelling, bruising and some discomfort during the first few weeks. These symptoms gradually improve as your body heals, although the final results may continue to develop over several months.
Your recovery plan will be tailored to the treatment you receive, but commonly includes:
- Wearing compression garments for the recommended period to support healing and help manage swelling.
- Gentle walking soon after treatment to encourage circulation.
- Gradually returning to normal daily activities as advised by your clinician.
- Attending follow-up appointments so your recovery can be monitored and any concerns addressed.
Many people can return to desk-based work within a couple of weeks, although this varies depending on the extent of treatment and the physical demands of their job. More strenuous activities, including high-impact exercise, usually need to be reintroduced gradually following clinical advice.
Recovery is not only about healing after surgery. Long-term management remains an important part of living with lipoedema. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following aftercare recommendations and attending follow-up reviews all contribute to achieving the best possible outcome.
Before any treatment is recommended, your clinician will explain what recovery is likely to involve in your individual circumstances, helping you make an informed decision about whether the timing is right for you.
How long does it take to recover from lipoedema surgery?
Recovery after lipoedema surgery varies between individuals. Most patients experience swelling and bruising during the first few weeks and gradually return to normal activities as healing progresses. Compression garments, follow-up appointments and careful aftercare all support recovery, while final results may continue to develop over several months.
Your recovery is monitored, not left to chance.
We provide detailed aftercare guidance and scheduled follow-up appointments so your progress can be reviewed and any questions answered throughout your recovery.
Have questions about recovery?
Arrange a consultation to discuss what you can expect based on your individual treatment plan.
Your Lipoedema treatment journey
Choosing treatment for lipoedema is an important decision, and understanding what to expect can help you feel more confident throughout the process. At Hunar Clinic, your care is planned around your individual symptoms, goals and overall health, with each stage designed to support informed decision-making.
Step 1: Your Initial Consultation
This appointment is also an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your concerns and understand the treatment options available. If surgery is not the most appropriate approach, we will explain alternative ways to manage your symptoms.
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What happens during a lipoedema consultation?
A lipoedema consultation includes a discussion of your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals, followed by a clinical assessment. Your clinician will explain whether your symptoms are consistent with lipoedema, discuss suitable treatment options and answer any questions before recommending a personalised treatment plan.
Step 2: Your Personalised Treatment Plan
Following your assessment, we will recommend a treatment plan based on your individual needs. This may involve conservative management, specialist surgery or a combination of approaches.
We will explain:
- Why a particular treatment has been recommended.
- The expected benefits and limitations.
- Any potential risks.
- The recovery process.
- The likely timeline for treatment and follow-up.
Our aim is to help you make an informed decision without feeling rushed.
Step 3: Treatment
Before treatment, you’ll receive detailed information about preparing for your procedure, what to expect on the day and how to support your recovery afterwards. Throughout your care, our team will be available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Step 4: Recovery and Follow-Up
Recovery is different for every patient, so we’ll tailor your aftercare recommendations to your individual circumstances. Our goal is not simply to complete your treatment, but to support your long-term wellbeing and help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Book your specialist Lipoedema consultation
Receive a personalised assessment and discuss the treatment options that are most appropriate for your symptoms and goals.
Dr Puneet Gupta
Consultant in Aesthetic Medicine
Why choose Hunar Clinic for Lipoedema treatment?
Choosing where to have treatment is just as important as deciding whether to have treatment in the first place. Lipoedema is a complex, long-term condition, and successful management depends on an accurate diagnosis, careful treatment planning and ongoing support.
At Hunar Clinic, we believe every patient deserves a personalised approach. Your consultation is never focused on recommending a single procedure. Instead, we take time to understand your symptoms, assess how lipoedema affects your daily life and discuss the treatment options that are most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Patients choose Hunar Clinic because we provide:
- Comprehensive clinical assessment before recommending treatment.
- Individual treatment plans tailored to your symptoms and goals.
- Honest advice about the benefits, limitations and expected outcomes of treatment.
- Ongoing follow-up care to support your recovery and long-term wellbeing.
- A doctor-led approach that prioritises safety, informed decision-making and realistic expectations.
We also understand that many people seeking treatment have spent years looking for answers. Our aim is to provide clear information, answer your questions and help you feel confident about every stage of your care.
Conveniently located for patients in Beaconsfield and across Buckinghamshire, Hunar Clinic welcomes patients who are looking for specialist assessment, personalised treatment and continuity of care from consultation through to recovery.
Arrange your specialist consultation
Speak to our team to discuss your symptoms, ask questions and receive a personalised assessment before deciding on treatment.
Where is Hunar Clinic?
Hunar Clinic is located 5 miles from the centre of Beaconsfield, in Gerrards Cross.
It is ideally located to Beaconsfield, Amersham, Marlow, Maidenhead and High Wycombe. The clinic is very well located and has parking on site.
Cost of Lipoedema Treatment
One of the most common questions patients ask is how much lipoedema treatment costs. The answer depends on several factors, which is why it’s difficult to provide a single fixed price before you’ve been assessed.
The cost of treatment varies according to:
- The stage and severity of your lipoedema.
- The number of areas requiring treatment.
- Whether conservative management or surgery is recommended.
- The complexity of your treatment plan.
- The level of aftercare and follow-up required.
Your initial consultation allows us to assess your symptoms, discuss your goals and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Once we understand your individual needs, we’ll provide a clear explanation of the recommended treatment and the associated costs, so you can make an informed decision without any unexpected surprises.
NHS or Private Treatment?
Lipoedema treatment is available through the NHS in limited circumstances, but access varies depending on local commissioning policies and individual clinical criteria. Many patients choose private treatment because it offers earlier assessment, greater continuity of care and access to specialist expertise.
Looking Beyond the Cost
While price is an important consideration, it should not be the only factor when choosing a clinic. Lipoedema is a complex condition that requires careful assessment, appropriate treatment planning and structured aftercare.
Choosing an experienced, doctor-led clinic helps ensure your treatment is based on clinical need, with realistic expectations and ongoing support throughout your recovery.
Book a consultation for a personalised treatment plan
Every patient is different. Arrange a consultation to receive an individual assessment, discuss your treatment options and receive a personalised quotation.
Lipoedema treatment testimonials
Lipoedema treatment before and after images
Here are some before and after images of previous patients Lipoedema results
About Hunar Clinic
Hunar Clinic is a doctor-led, CQC-registered medical and aesthetic clinic in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. Founded by Dr Prerna Mittal and Dr Puneet Gupta, the clinic brings together specialist lipoedema and liposuction care, aesthetic and regenerative medicine, and women’s health within a calm, private and purpose-designed setting.
Every patient journey begins with a detailed medical consultation. Treatment recommendations are personalised, evidence-led and centred on patient safety, comfort, realistic expectations and attentive aftercare.
Lipoedema treatment FAQs
At Hunar Clinic, we understand that many women with lipoedema have spent years being told to “just lose weight” or that their symptoms are cosmetic. In my experience, lipoedema is far more than a change in body shape. It can affect pain, mobility, confidence, clothing, exercise, emotional wellbeing, and day-to-day quality of life.
These FAQs are written in the way I would explain lipoedema to a patient during consultation: clearly, honestly, and with realistic expectations.
If we haven’t answered your lipoedema questions below please email info@hunarclinic.co.uk
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What is lipoedema?
Lipoedema is a chronic condition where abnormal fat builds up, most commonly around the legs, thighs, hips, buttocks, knees, calves, and sometimes the arms. It is not simply “being overweight”.
The fat in lipoedema behaves differently. It can feel painful, heavy, tender, nodular, and resistant to diet and exercise. Many patients tell me they have tried every diet possible, but their legs or arms simply do not change in proportion to the rest of the body.
Is it lipedema or lipoedema?
Both words describe the same condition. “Lipoedema” is more commonly used in the UK, while “lipedema” is often used internationally, particularly in the United States.
At Hunar Clinic, we use both terms because patients may search for either.
How do I know if I have lipoedema?
There is no single blood test or scan that confirms lipoedema. Diagnosis is mainly clinical, which means it depends on your symptoms, body pattern, tissue texture, medical history, and physical examination.
The features I look for include:
- Disproportionate fat around the legs or arms
- Pain, tenderness, or heaviness
- Easy bruising
- Symmetrical swelling or enlargement
- Fat that feels nodular or grainy under the skin
- Little or no improvement in affected areas despite weight loss
- Symptoms that started or worsened around puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
Accurate diagnosis requires experience. Subtle signs are often missed when lipoedema is mistaken for obesity, lymphoedema, or simple fluid retention.
Is lipoedema the same as obesity?
Obesity is generalised excess body fat. Lipoedema is a disorder of abnormal fat distribution, often with pain, bruising, swelling, and tissue changes. A patient can have lipoedema and also be overweight, but they are not the same thing.
Many women with lipoedema are very disciplined with diet and exercise, yet their legs remain disproportionately larger. That is not a failure of willpower. It is the nature of the condition.
Why have I been told to just lose weight?
Many women tell me:
“Every time I see my GP, I’m told to lose weight. But I know that no matter how much I diet or exercise, the weight in my legs simply does not shift.”
For many patients, this becomes emotionally exhausting and frustrating.
Unfortunately, lipoedema is still poorly recognised, so patients are often repeatedly advised to diet without anyone recognising the underlying condition.
Weight management is still important for general health, inflammation, mobility, joints, and surgical safety. However, lipoedema fat behaves differently from normal fat and is often resistant to traditional weight loss methods.
Many patients are extremely disciplined with exercise and nutrition, yet their legs remain disproportionately enlarged, painful, or heavy.
Part of my role is helping patients understand that this is not simply a lack of effort or willpower. It is a recognised medical condition requiring proper assessment and an individualised treatment approach.
Will losing weight get rid of lipoedema?
Maintaining a healthy weight benefits your overall health and may reduce the strain on your joints, but it does not usually remove lipoedema fat. Many women notice that they lose weight from other areas of their body while the affected limbs remain largely unchanged.
What causes lipoedema?
Many patients also have female relatives with similar body shape, leg pain, bruising, or swelling, even if they were never formally diagnosed.
Does lipoedema get worse over time?
Early diagnosis matters because it allows us to manage symptoms, support mobility, and plan treatment before the condition becomes more limiting.
What happens if lipoedema is left untreated?
How soon should I seek treatment?
What are the stages of lipoedema?
Lipoedema is often described in stages:
Stage 1: The skin surface may look relatively smooth, but small nodules can be felt under the skin.
Stage 2: The skin becomes more uneven, with larger nodular fatty tissue and more visible contour changes.
Stage 3: There may be larger lobules or overhanging tissue, especially around the thighs, knees, or lower legs, which can significantly affect mobility and comfort.
Staging is helpful, but it does not tell the whole story. A patient’s pain, heaviness, bruising, functional limitation, and quality of life are just as important.
What is the difference between lipoedema and lymphoedema?
In lipoedema, the feet are often spared in earlier stages, and the enlargement is usually symmetrical. In lymphoedema, swelling may involve the feet and can be more one-sided.
Advanced lipoedema can place stress on the lymphatic system, and some patients can develop both conditions together. This is why choosing a lymph-sparing surgical technique is very important.
Can lipoedema be cured?
Lipoedema is a long-term condition and there is currently no cure. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, improving mobility and reducing discomfort. For suitable patients, surgery may remove abnormal fat deposits and provide long-lasting improvements, but ongoing management remains important.
What conservative treatments can help?
- Compression garments
- Manual lymphatic drainage
- Regular low-impact exercise
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition
- Weight management support where appropriate
- Good skin care
- Pain and swelling management
- Strength and mobility work
These measures can help symptoms, but they do not usually remove established lipoedema fat. They are still important, particularly before and after surgery.
Does exercise help lipoedema?
Low-impact exercise is usually best because it supports circulation and lymphatic flow without overloading painful joints. Walking, swimming, cycling, Pilates, yoga, and water-based exercise can be helpful.
The goal is not punishment or extreme dieting. The goal is to keep the body mobile, strong, and supported.
What is lipoedema surgery?
When I treat lipoedema, the aim is not to create an exaggerated or artificial shape. The aim is to reduce diseased tissue, improve comfort, protect function, and restore more natural body proportions.
At Hunar Clinic, I use microcannular tumescent liposuction. This means the procedure is performed with local anaesthetic fluid and very fine cannulas, often up to around 2mm, allowing precise fat removal with reduced tissue trauma.
How do I know if I need surgery?
Not everyone with lipoedema requires surgery. Your symptoms, the stage of the condition, previous treatments and your overall health all help determine whether surgery is likely to be beneficial. A specialist consultation is the best way to assess your individual needs.
Why does Dr Gupta use microliposuction for lipoedema?
Microcannulas allow controlled, precise fat removal through tiny entry points. I avoid unnecessary aggressive energy-based treatment in lipoedema because the priority is safety, tissue preservation, and long-term function.
As I often explain to patients, micro does not mean less treatment. It means a more refined and controlled way of working.
Is lipoedema liposuction the same as cosmetic liposuction?
Cosmetic liposuction is usually performed to improve shape in patients with localised stubborn fat. Lipoedema liposuction is a medical treatment aimed at reducing abnormal tissue, pain, heaviness, bruising, inflammation, and mobility problems.
Of course, patients may also see an improvement in shape and proportion, but the main purpose is symptom relief and functional improvement.
How much fat can be removed in one surgery?
I do not believe the art of liposuction is simply about taking out as much fat as possible. It is about knowing how much to remove and how much to leave behind so that the result is safe, smooth, balanced, and natural.
For lipoedema patients, treatment is often planned in stages rather than trying to do too much in one operation.
Why is surgery often done in stages?
A staged approach allows us to treat the body more safely and carefully. It also allows recovery between procedures and gives the tissues time to settle.
At Hunar Clinic, treatment areas may be planned step by step, commonly with several weeks between procedures depending on the patient’s condition and recovery.
Will I need general anaesthetic?
This is one of the major advantages of tumescent microliposuction. Patients avoid many of the risks and after-effects associated with general anaesthetic, such as post-operative sickness and longer hospital recovery.
Some patients may choose additional sedation where appropriate, but the foundation of the technique is local anaesthetic tumescent liposuction.
Is lipoedema treatment painful?
Some discomfort can be expected during recovery after surgery, but your treatment plan includes appropriate pain management and aftercare advice to support your recovery. Conservative treatments involve little or no downtime.
What is recovery like after lipoedema surgery?
Most patients are encouraged to walk gently soon after surgery. Compression garments are usually part of the recovery plan. Bruising, swelling, leakage from entry points, tenderness, and altered sensation can happen in the early phase.
Many patients return to light daily activities relatively quickly, but full healing takes time. Results continue to improve as swelling settles and tissues remodel.
Will I need compression garments?
The type and duration of compression will depend on the areas treated and your individual healing. We will guide you through this as part of your aftercare plan.
Can lipoedema return after surgery?
Surgery removes abnormal fat cells from the treated areas, but lipoedema is a chronic condition. Although many patients experience lasting improvements, ongoing self-management remains important to help maintain the benefits of treatment.
How long do the results last?
Treatment aims to provide long-term improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following aftercare guidance and attending follow-up appointments all contribute to achieving the best possible long-term outcome.
Can surgery improve pain and mobility?
Patients often describe feeling lighter, less restricted, and more comfortable walking, exercising, standing, or wearing clothes they had avoided for years.
Every patient is different, and results cannot be guaranteed, but the goal is always to improve function and quality of life.
Will I have scars?
No surgical procedure can promise “no marks at all”, but microcannular techniques are designed to minimise visible scarring.
Am I suitable for lipoedema surgery?
- Your diagnosis of lipoedema
- Your stage of lipodema does not matter
- Your symptoms and functional limitation
- Your medical history
- Your BMI and overall health
- Your expectations
- Your previous treatments
- Your ability to follow aftercare guidance
A consultation is essential. I need to examine the tissue, understand your symptoms, and decide whether surgery is appropriate and safe for you.
What happens during a consultation with Dr Gupta?
We will discuss your symptoms, history, previous diagnoses, pain, bruising, swelling, mobility, clothing concerns, lifestyle, and goals. I will examine the affected areas and explain whether your presentation is consistent with lipoedema.
If surgery is appropriate, I will explain my technique, the areas that may need treatment, likely staging if necessary, realistic outcomes, risks, recovery, and aftercare. If surgery is not the right option, I will be honest about that too.
Is treatment only about appearance?
For many patients, the real transformation is being able to move more easily, feel less pain, wear clothes comfortably, stand longer, exercise with less restriction, or feel less defined by their condition.
This is why I always say lipoedema treatment is about function, comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
Can men have lipoedema?
Anyone with symptoms should be assessed individually rather than dismissed.
What if I have been misdiagnosed?
If you have disproportionate limbs, pain, bruising, heaviness, and tissue that does not respond to diet or exercise, it is worth seeking an assessment from someone experienced in lipoedema.
A diagnosis can be life-changing because it finally gives patients an explanation and a plan.
What results should I expect?
Good results should look natural, balanced, and proportionate. In lipoedema, we are also looking for improvements in pain, heaviness, mobility, bruising, inflammation, and quality of life.
I am always careful to set realistic expectations. The best results come from choosing the right procedure for the right patient, performed safely and supported by good aftercare.
How do I book a consultation?
If you suspect you may have lipoedema, or if you have already been diagnosed and would like to explore treatment options, you can contact Hunar Clinic to arrange a consultation with Dr Puneet Gupta.
At your consultation, we will assess your condition carefully and guide you through the most appropriate options for your individual needs.
Still Have Questions?
Every patient experiences lipoedema differently.
During your consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your symptoms, ask questions and receive personalised advice based on your individual circumstances.
Ready to Discuss Your Symptoms?
Book a specialist consultation to receive an individual assessment, ask questions and explore the treatment options that are most appropriate for you, or contact our experienced team for further information.
Call 01753 882 239 or WhatsApp on 07500 898 562
The content on this page has been medically reviewed by Dr Puneet Gupta
Get in touch
To arrange an appointment or if you require any further information,
call us on 01753 882 239