Rozina Ali: A Distinguished Career in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgery is a demanding field that requires a rare combination of technical skill, artistic vision, and compassionate care. Among the leading specialists in this discipline is Rozina Ali, a consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon based in London. With over two decades of experience, she has become a prominent name not only in the United Kingdom but also internationally. Her career has spanned the NHS, private hospitals, international fellowships, and groundbreaking work in microsurgery and aesthetic innovation.
This article explores Dr Rozina Ali’s remarkable journey, her education, professional experience, honours and awards, and her ongoing contributions to the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Early Life and Education
Academic Foundations
Rozina Ali’s medical journey began with a strong academic base. She trained at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, part of the University of London, where she earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Prior to this, she distinguished herself by graduating with First Class Honours in Anatomy, a degree that laid the groundwork for her deep understanding of human form and function.
Research Work
Her early research was both ambitious and humanitarian in focus. She investigated the effects of leprosy on bones, which took her to Venezuela where she spent three months working in a leper colony. There she contributed to a World Health Organization pilot study examining the ocular effects of leprosy. This experience nurtured her interest in scientific enquiry and compassionate healthcare.
Following this, Rozina pursued further research at the Centre for Cutaneous Research, where she completed her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). Her study centred on antimicrobial peptides, particularly their potential role in the body’s innate immune defence.
Surgical Training and Fellowships
Commitment to Specialisation
Rozina Ali’s dedication to surgical training was marked by relentless pursuit of knowledge. During her specialist training in plastic surgery, she attended the inaugural meeting of the World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery in Taiwan in 2001. This marked her early exposure to advanced techniques in microsurgery, a field that became central to her career.
Prestigious Fellowships
Her talent and ambition were recognised internationally. She was awarded the Stephen Kroll Scholarship, making her the first Briton—and for many years the only woman—to receive this prestigious honour. She then undertook a Craniofacial Fellowship at Great Ormond Street Hospital, followed by an International Microsurgery Fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, one of the world’s most respected centres for reconstructive surgery.
Rozina also expanded her expertise in aesthetics through advanced fellowships at renowned institutions such as Clinica Pitanguy in Brazil, learning directly from global leaders in cosmetic surgery. These experiences gave her a unique breadth of skills spanning reconstructive, craniofacial, and aesthetic surgery.
Professional Career
NHS Service
Rozina Ali devoted 25 years to the NHS, including a decade as a consultant specialising in reconstructive microsurgery. At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, she played a pivotal role in microvascular breast reconstruction, gynaecological reconstruction following cancer treatment, paediatric plastic surgery, and trauma cases. She also contributed to gender alignment surgery, reflecting her broad expertise and progressive outlook.
Private Practice
Alongside her NHS career, Rozina built a flourishing private practice. She established Rozina Ali Aesthetic Surgeon, consulting across London at the Cadogan Clinic, Harley Street, Wimpole Street, Queen Anne Street, and Chelsea, as well as at The Female Health Clinic in Hampshire. Since 2017, she has practised extensively at Weymouth Hospital in London, focusing on breast and facial aesthetics.
More recently, she joined the elite team at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, where she continues to serve patients with the highest standards of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic care.
Areas of Expertise
Breast Surgery
Dr Rozina Ali has become renowned for her mastery of breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery. She performs breast augmentation, reduction, mastopexy (lift), correction of asymmetry, and nipple reconstruction. Her work in regenerative medicine, particularly using fat transfer and biodegradable matrices, has kept her at the cutting edge of surgical innovation.
Facial Aesthetics
Her passion for facial beauty, rooted in both art and science, is reflected in her wide range of surgical procedures including facelifts, brow lifts, eyelid surgery, lip lifts, and neck contouring. She also employs non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers, Botox, and skin rejuvenation therapies to complement her surgical work.
Body Contouring
Rozina provides comprehensive aesthetic services for the body, including abdominoplasty, liposuction, and labiaplasty. She takes a holistic view of ageing and beauty, combining multiple approaches to deliver natural and lasting results.
Innovation and Philosophy
Rozina Ali has always been at the forefront of innovation. She was an early pioneer of fat transfer in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, recognising its potential not only to restore volume but also to rejuvenate tissues through stem-cell-rich fat grafting. She believes that ageing is a multifactorial, ongoing process, and that treatment should therefore be timely, layered, and continuous rather than a one-off intervention.
Her philosophy is deeply influenced by her love of nature and art, which she views as extensions of her medical practice. This blend of artistry and science defines her approach to surgery.
Honours and Awards
Over her distinguished career, Rozina Ali has earned numerous awards and recognitions, reflecting her contributions to surgery and healthcare:
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Stephen Kroll Scholarship (2004) – awarded in Belgium, making her the only Briton recipient.
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Craniofacial Fellowship (2005) – Great Ormond Street Hospital.
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International Microsurgery Fellowship (2006-2007) – Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
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Cutlers’ Surgical Fellowship (2007) – awarded by the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, London.
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Advanced Aesthetics Fellowships (2014 & 2015) – Clinica Pitanguy, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Healthcare Excellence Award (2018) – Muslim 100 PowerList.
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Best Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeon (2019) – London Private Healthcare Awards.
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Best Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon (UK) 2020 – Breast Aesthetics and Reconstruction, Facial Aesthetics.
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London’s Leading Aesthetic Surgeon (2020) – GHP Global Excellence Awards.
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Aesthetic Surgery Specialist of the Year (2022/2023) – Corporate LiveWire Awards.
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Aesthetic Surgeon of the Year (2024) – Corporate LiveWire Awards.
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Best Breast & Facial Aesthetics Surgeon (2024) – Global Pharma Excellence Awards.
These accolades confirm her position as one of the UK’s most respected and pioneering plastic surgeons.
Media and Publications
Rozina Ali has also reached a wider audience through her media presence and academic contributions. She presented on BBC2’s Horizon: The Truth About Looking Younger and contributed to Channel 4’s How Not to Get Old, making complex surgical topics accessible to the public.
Academically, she has contributed to landmark texts such as Grabb’s Encyclopedia of Flaps and Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art. Her published research continues to inform the next generation of surgeons.
Legacy and Continuing Work
Dr Rozina Ali’s career is characterised by a rare combination of compassion, technical skill, and artistic sensibility. From her early days researching leprosy to becoming a leader in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery, she has consistently pushed boundaries. Her role at King Edward VII’s Hospital, Weymouth Hospital, and through her own private practice ensures that she continues to serve patients with dedication.
Beyond her surgical skills, Rozina embodies the values of innovation and humanity. Her philosophy—that beauty and surgery are extensions of art and nature—captures her unique approach to medicine.
Conclusion
Rozina Ali stands out as one of the UK’s foremost figures in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. With a career spanning NHS service, international fellowships, private practice, academic publications, and media work, she has earned recognition at home and abroad. Her awards, professional standing, and innovative outlook underline her role as both a pioneer and a mentor in her field.
As a consultant at King Edward VII’s Hospital, as well as through her work at Weymouth Hospital and her private clinics, Dr Rozina Ali continues to shape the future of plastic and aesthetic surgery. Her story is one of dedication, passion, and artistry—a true reflection of a surgeon who has elevated her discipline to new heights.
