Ahmed Ali-Khan

Ob 1990

Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Ali-Khan has over 24 years’ plastic surgery experience. Having completed his training in Bristol and the South West he embarked on specialist fellowship training in London (aesthetic surgery), Cambridge (reconstructive microsurgery) and Sydney (skin cancer) making him one of the few UK surgeons to have trained at the world-famous Melanoma Institute Australia. He recently opened his new business LASE, with his wife Lisa, offering the very latest plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures in Newcastle.

What are your best memories of BGS?

There are lots as I was lucky to be surrounded by amazing people in my year at school, both before GCSEs and in 6th Form. A favourite memory though has to be seeing Dr Ransome’s face in my GCSE French Oral exam. I was trying to tell him how we had travelled to our family holiday the previous year but couldn’t remember how to say ‘by plane’ so in the heat of the moment I opted for ‘we swam’ – in correct French. He did a double take, as the journey was over 6,000 miles! He asked me how long the swim had taken. I figured I was committed to the story so with a big smile I replied in French, ‘about 6 months!’. I passed and have never forgotten ‘par avion’ since!

Can you remember any teachers at BGS who had an impact on you?

They still do! Mr Rolling and Mr Jakobek remain in touch with me (and many others), were it not for Mr Matthews I would have probably failed GCSE maths and Mr Miller never gave up on me in Latin. I remember the teachers at BGS being very supportive and that’s not something I fully appreciated until I was older.

Tell us about your business and why plastic surgery?

I went to medical school thinking I wanted to be a family GP, like my father. I realised pretty quickly that surgery was more me and I happened to have a plastic surgery placement on my training rotation as a junior doctor in Bristol. I was hooked as soon as I started.

Could you have chosen another path and what might that have been?

I was set on medicine at quite a young age and have never regretted it. If I had to do something different, I would like to have been somehow involved in motorsport which is my big passion. I don’t have the talent to be a driver but being part of a motorsport team would be awesome.

What has been the most significant highlight of your career?

Plastic surgery differs greatly between the NHS (mostly reconstructive surgery) and the private sector (mostly cosmetic surgery) but both can have enormously positive impacts on patients and their lives. I never tire of happy patients.

What is the best thing about working in the North East?

A friend of mine worked in Durham and I took a job as a locum consultant after completing my junior doctor training, while I considered consultant posts. My family and I liked it so much we never left! The people are fabulous, there is a genuine friendliness to the north east that can take you by surprise and the beaches are beautiful, which was another big eye-opener to me. I love being up here.

What’s next for you?

My main focus for the next few years will be on making my new private surgical facility in Newcastle, LASE, a success. The pandemic and cost of living crisis have made the business environment pretty exciting but we are still here and loving the challenge.

What motivates you?

There are many different things but ultimately I enjoy a challenge and am stubborn, in combination they are probably at the heart of what drives me.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Trust your instincts and always find time for yourself.