Concierge plastic surgery · UK
Skin grafts - the right skin, in the right place.
Full-thickness and split-thickness skin grafts for skin cancer defects, burns, trauma and chronic wounds. Consultant plastic surgeons who choose the donor site for the recipient bed - not the other way round.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Consultant plastic surgeons
Fellowship-trained plastic surgeons whose lists are grafts and flaps - not occasional grafting between other work.
- 02
Donor sites chosen for the recipient bed
Post-auricular skin for the nose, upper-eyelid for the eyelid, inner arm for the hand. Colour and thickness matched before the day.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private skin graft surgery costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our vetted UK partners. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.
In short
A full-thickness graft to the face in a private theatre: £1,800–£3,800, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small FTSG (face, ear, finger) | £1,800–£3,800 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Larger FTSG (nose, forehead, hand) | £3,000–£6,000 | 60–120 min | Same day |
| STSG for leg ulcer or burn (up to 100 cm²) | £3,500–£7,500 | 60–120 min | Day-case or 1 night |
| Large STSG with meshing (>100 cm²) | £6,000–£12,000 | 90–180 min | 1–3 nights |
| Composite graft (auricular) | £3,500–£7,000 | 60–90 min | Same day |
| Graft revision or top-up | £1,200–£2,800 | 30–60 min | Same day |
| Consultation only | £220–£380 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by defect size, donor site and whether the graft accompanies a cancer excision. Large split-thickness grafts and lower-limb reconstructions sit at the top of the range.
The problem
The graft matches the bed - colour, thickness and contour.
Graft surgery is where mediocre general lists under-deliver - the wrong donor site chosen, no bolster used, and no scar plan afterwards.
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Bed dictates graft
A well-vascularised, clean recipient bed takes a graft. Bone, tendon and infected tissue do not. We prepare the bed properly first.
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Donor site chosen for match
Facial defects need facial-quality donor skin. A random thigh graft on a nose looks wrong forever.
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Scar management from day one
Silicone and sunblock started at 2–3 weeks, not at 6 months. The scar plan is written in the discharge letter.
The journey
From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.
One team from first message through the procedure, results and follow-up.
- 01
Before
You send photographs
Photographs of the defect or excision plan, any prior surgery in the area, and details of donor-site preferences.
- 02
Before
We recommend graft type and donor
Within one working day: FTSG or STSG, likely donor site, anaesthetic plan and firm quote.
- 03
Before
Consultation and consent
Photographs annotated, donor-site scar explained, expected healing timeline, activity restrictions.
- 04
On the day
Bed preparation and harvesting
Local, regional or GA depending on site. Recipient bed prepared, graft harvested and inset. Bolster applied.
- 05
On the day
Donor-site closure or dressing
FTSG donor sites closed primarily. STSG donor sites dressed with a semi-occlusive dressing and left to re-epithelialise.
- 06
After
First dressing and take assessment
Bolster off at 5–7 days for FTSG, 7–10 for STSG. Take assessed; any small areas of failure treated conservatively.
- 07
After
Scar management and long-term review
Silicone gel, sunblock, massage. Review at 6 weeks and 6 months for scar quality and revision if needed.
When it helps
When a skin graft is the right choice.
Defects where a graft outperforms a flap or primary closure - and where a graft is a poor answer.
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Skin cancer defects
Where local flap is not possible or would distort a nearby free margin (eyelid, lip).
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Burn coverage
Deep partial and full-thickness burns after excision - usually STSG, often meshed.
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Chronic leg ulcers
Venous, arterial or mixed ulcers with clean, granulating beds - meshed STSG can close a stubborn wound.
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Traumatic soft-tissue loss
Degloving, avulsion and complex lacerations with skin loss.
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Congenital naevi excision
Larger naevi excised in stages with grafts where flaps are not feasible.
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Post-Mohs defects
When primary closure or a local flap would distort a free margin - commonly nose, eyelid, ear.
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Composite defects
Small full-thickness defects of the nose or ear where a composite graft (skin + cartilage) restores contour.
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Red flag: exposed bone or tendon
Grafts do not take on bare bone or tendon. These defects need a flap, not a graft - we say so before booking.
Options
FTSG, STSG or composite - matched to the defect.
What each graft type involves, common donor sites, and the trade-offs in colour, thickness and healing time.
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Full-thickness skin graft (FTSG)
Includes epidermis and full dermis. Best cosmetic result - used on face, hand and areas requiring good contour.
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Split-thickness skin graft (STSG)
Includes epidermis and partial dermis. Covers large areas; donor site heals from remaining dermis.
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Meshed STSG
Perforated to expand coverage and let exudate drain - used for large defects, burns and chronic ulcers.
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Sheet STSG
Unmeshed - better cosmetic result, reserved for cosmetically sensitive areas.
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Composite graft
Skin plus cartilage or subcutaneous tissue - for full-thickness nasal alar and ear defects.
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Tie-over bolster
Cotton or foam dressing tied over the graft to maintain contact - the traditional method, still the best.
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Negative-pressure dressing
For larger grafts and awkward contours - vacuum dressing ensures even contact.
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Delayed grafting
Wound bed prepared over 5–14 days before grafting when infection or exudate rules out immediate coverage.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of consultants, we picked them.
Consultants across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
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Consultant plastic surgeons with a graft and reconstructive caseload
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Access to dermatome equipment and negative-pressure dressings
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Wound-care specialist nurses for donor-site and recipient-site follow-up
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Scar management pathway (silicone, sunblock, massage) built into follow-up
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Skin grafting is a well-established technique. What matters is the recipient bed, the donor choice, and the post-op regimen that ensures take.
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Graft take is not guaranteed
Full take: 90–95% for FTSG, 85–95% for STSG in good beds. Small areas of failure heal with dressings; large failures need re-grafting.
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Bleeding under the graft
A haematoma lifts the graft off the bed and kills it. Meticulous haemostasis and bolsters prevent this.
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Infection
Under 5% with clean technique. Signs: fever, spreading redness, offensive dressings - call the same day.
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Donor-site pain and healing
STSG donor sites are the sorer of the two - heal in 10–21 days with mild-to-moderate discomfort.
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Colour mismatch
Grafted skin often heals darker or pinker than surrounding skin. Fades over months but rarely perfect.
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Contracture
Grafts contract as they mature - planning includes over-sizing where contracture would be a problem.
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Scar hypertrophy
Some grafts develop raised scars, especially in younger patients. Silicone and, occasionally, steroid injection help.
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Sensation returns slowly
Grafts have reduced sensation for months and never fully match surrounding skin.
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Red flags after surgery
Sudden pain under the graft, bleeding, fever or a graft turning black at the edges needs same-day contact.
Reading your notes
Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.
The letter you receive from the consultant keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Defect
Site, size, bed quality
Where the graft went, how large the defect was, and how well the bed was prepared.
- 02 Graft
Type and donor site
FTSG or STSG, meshed or sheet, and the donor site chosen and its closure.
- 03 Fixation
Bolster or dressing
How the graft was held - tie-over, staples, negative-pressure - and when to remove.
- 04 Impression
Follow-up and scar plan
Read this first: dressing changes, take assessment timing, scar management, and long-term expectations.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Skin grafts as part of cancer reconstruction or trauma repair are usually covered. Purely cosmetic grafts are not. We check pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about skin grafts.
Quick answers on donor sites, healing time, scar quality, graft failure and cost.
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How long does a skin graft take to heal?
The graft is vascularised over the first 5–7 days and stable enough for dressing changes at that point. Full healing of the surface takes 2–4 weeks. Scar maturation continues for 6–12 months, and colour changes settle over the same period.
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Which donor site will you use?
We choose to match the recipient. Face: post-auricular, upper-eyelid or supraclavicular skin. Hand: inner arm or wrist crease. Leg ulcer: outer thigh with a dermatome. The donor scar sits in an area that can be hidden or heals inconspicuously.
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Will there be a big scar at the donor site?
For FTSG the donor site is a linear scar closed like any other cut. For STSG the donor site is a broader patch of pinker, slightly shinier skin that fades over 6–12 months - the classic "dermatome patch".
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How likely is the graft to fail?
Full take is 90–95% for FTSG and 85–95% for STSG in a well-prepared bed. Small areas of loss heal with dressings. Complete failure is uncommon and, when it happens, we re-graft once the bed is ready again.
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Will the grafted skin look normal?
It will look different - usually slightly paler or pinker, sometimes darker, and with reduced hair and sweat. On the face, with a matched donor site, the result is usually very good. On the leg after burn or ulcer coverage, cosmesis is more variable.
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How much does private skin graft surgery cost in the UK?
Roughly £1,800–£3,800 for a small facial FTSG, £3,000–£6,000 for a larger FTSG, £3,500–£7,500 for an STSG up to 100 cm², and £6,000–£12,000 for larger meshed STSGs. Composite grafts run £3,500–£7,000. Consultation is £220–£380.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Skin cancer - facial skin removal
Excision that often uses grafts.
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Skin cancer - Mohs surgery
Margin-controlled excision.
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Skin cancer removal + eyelid reconstruction
Where grafts protect the eye.
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Skin lesion excision
Benign and pre-malignant excision.
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Laser resurfacing
Scar and pigmentation resurfacing.
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All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more