By Miss Jurga Pikturnaite, consultant plastic surgeon, Emendo Surgical Group
When people think of plastic surgery, they often think of vanity – a nip here, a tuck there.
But me, and for many of the people I’ve worked with, it’s something far deeper. It’s about restoration. Identity. Confidence.
It’s about feeling like yourself again after life has reshaped you in ways you didn’t choose.
I first pursued a career in surgery driven by a simple but powerful motivation: to improve people’s lives.
I studied medicine at Vilnius University in Lithuania and have trained extensively in plastic, reconstructive, hand and aesthetic surgery in the UK ever since.
But while surgical skill is the foundation of what I do, the emotional side of care is where I’ve always felt I could make the greatest difference.
Miss Jurga Pikturnaite
Throughout my career – including my time as a trauma and plastic reconstructive consultant in the NHS – I saw how body changes, whether through injury, illness, pregnancy, or ageing, can affect how someone moves through the world.
How they show up in their relationships. How they carry themselves. And how they see themselves.
There is an undeniable emotional weight that comes with changes to one’s body.
My job is to help people carry that weight with dignity – and, if they choose to, lift it through surgical restoration, that feels true to them.
One of the things I’ve come to understand deeply is how personal this journey is.
For some, it’s about correcting something, that has always made them feel uncomfortable.
For others, it’s about reclaiming a body that no longer feels like their own after childbirth, weight loss, cancer treatment, or injury.
This is particularly relevant for many of the women I work with.
As a woman and a mother myself, I understand how vulnerable those conversations can be. Talking about sagging breasts, stretched abdominal muscles, or asymmetry in a clinical setting isn’t easy.
I always strive to create a space where people feel safe, not judged – where their concerns are met with compassion, not clinical detachment.
And it’s not just about women. Many men also experience changes to their body that impact their confidence and comfort.
Whether it’s reconstructive surgery after trauma, correction of a congenital issue, or simply the desire to feel more aligned with their physical form, every individual deserves the same sensitivity and skill.
Over time, I’ve seen how plastic surgery can be transformative not just physically, but emotionally. I’ve had people come back to me months after surgery and say things like, “I finally feel like myself again,” or “I can look in the mirror and smile.” That’s the power of what we do.
Now fully focused on private practice, I’ve shaped my service to reflect that ethos. Every consultation is unhurried, honest, and collaborative.
I don’t believe in pushing procedures or trends. I believe in listening, advising, and supporting people to make the best decision for themselves.
And yes, innovation matters too. I’ve trained in microsurgery, hand surgery, and advanced aesthetic techniques, because I want to offer people the best possible care.
As the field evolves with technologies like imaging, simulation, and enhanced recovery protocols, I’m committed to staying at the forefront.
But I’ll always believe that no technology can replace empathy, or the feeling of being truly heard.
Ultimately, plastic surgery is about connection.
Between form and function. Between inner identity and outer expression. Between doctor and patient. That connection is the thread that runs through my entire practice.
I’m honoured to be part of my patients’ journeys – and to walk beside them as they reclaim comfort, confidence, and control over their own bodies.
That’s not just surgery. That’s care.
Miss Jurga Pikturnaite is a consultant plastic surgeon specialising in plastic reconstructive, hand and aesthetic surgery at Emendo Surgical Group.
