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Auckland Oncoplastic Breast Institute - Katherine Gale
Private Service, General Surgery, Breast, Oncology
Today
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Description
Katherine Gale is a qualified general surgeon with sub-specialisation in surgical oncology. She is passionate about breast surgery and wants to offer women a more comprehensive service when faced with breast disease. She holds a consultant position at Waitemata DHB in general surgery, oncoplastic breast and skin cancer surgical oncology.
Katherine is one of a few female specialist oncoplastic breast surgeons in New Zealand who practice all aspects of breast oncology and reconstruction. An expert in diagnostic and minimally-invasive treatment methods for all types of breast disease and, following a breast cancer diagnosis, she can offer a full range of partial and whole breast reconstruction options. Katherine believes in offering evidence based research to patients when tailoring a surgical solution, and has done extensive research in both breast oncology and reconstruction.
Katherine also offers skin cancer surgery including facial flap and graft reconstructions following cancer excision and melanoma surgery.
Katherine also offers gender affirming TOP surgery, cosmetic breast surgery, and breast reductions.
The Specialists Takapuna location also offers a minor surgery theatre where small procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic.
What is oncoplastic breast surgery?
Oncoplastic surgery merges the principles of oncologic surgery, in which cancerous tissue is removed, with plastic surgery techniques which reconstruct an area of the breast removed in partial mastectomy or the whole breast if a mastectomy is necessary. This can sometimes be done in one operation.
In oncoplastic breast conserving surgery, plastic surgery techniques such as breast reduction or breast lift (mastopexy) are used at the time of lumpectomy to restore or often improve the natural appearance to the breast shape. In a smaller breast, local tissue flaps from the chest wall can fill in a defect left by the partial mastectomy to prevent deformity and hide scars off the breast mound itself.
The goal is complete removal of cancer and any precancerous change, combined with a beautiful long term result without chest wall deformity or significant asymmetry.
Consultants
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Dr Katherine Gale
Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
How do I access this service?
Anyone can access, Contact us, Referral
Referral Expectations
When you come to your appointment, Katherine will ask questions about your symptoms and history, and examine you to determine or confirm a diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, breast imaging, scans, or biopsies) either before or after your appointment. Sometimes this can all be done during one visit, but for some patients this will require several appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before your appointment, and you will be linked in with the AOBI Clinical Nurse Specialist to work through this process.
If surgery is advised, you will be supported through the steps involved in the surgical process and insurance claims if applicable. You will receive comprehensive pre and post surgical care, including recovery advice and ongoing wound care.
Fees and Charges Description
Katherine is a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider for services under the General Surgery and Skin categories.
Affiliated providers organise prior approval for the healthcare service you need and claims on your behalf.
You can self-pay or attend under another insurance provider, and the Receptionist will advise you around this process.
Hours
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
| Mon – Fri | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
|---|
Clinic and surgical days vary each week. Reception staff available for calls during regular working hours.
Procedures / Treatments
Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.
Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed.
Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed.
Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later. There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice. Implants A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days. Flap reconstruction A flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.
When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later. There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice. Implants A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days. Flap reconstruction A flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.
When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later.
There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice.
Implants
A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days.
Flap reconstruction
A flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.
This is an operation that can lift and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure usually involves removing skin from an area below the nipple and reshaping the breast. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and will take about 2 hours. You will probably stay in hospital overnight and will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home the next day. Your breasts will be bruised and swollen for several days and you may need to take some medication for pain relief. You will need to wear a special support bra continuously for 3-4 weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after about 1 week. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
This is an operation that can lift and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure usually involves removing skin from an area below the nipple and reshaping the breast. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and will take about 2 hours. You will probably stay in hospital overnight and will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home the next day. Your breasts will be bruised and swollen for several days and you may need to take some medication for pain relief. You will need to wear a special support bra continuously for 3-4 weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after about 1 week. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
This is an operation that can lift and reshape sagging breasts. The procedure usually involves removing skin from an area below the nipple and reshaping the breast. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and will take about 2 hours. You will probably stay in hospital overnight and will need to arrange for someone else to drive you home the next day.
Your breasts will be bruised and swollen for several days and you may need to take some medication for pain relief. You will need to wear a special support bra continuously for 3-4 weeks after surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after about 1 week. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
Surgery to increase breast size involves inserting silicone sacks (implants) filled with silicone gel or salt water (saline) under the chest muscle and skin. The procedure involves making a cut (incision) in the armpit, under the breast or around the areola (the dark area around the nipple) from where the implant is inserted. The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and it will probably take 1–2 hours. You will probably be able to go home the day of the operation, but you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you. You may need to take some medication for pain relief for 2-3 days and you should rest for a few days after the surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after 7-10 days. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
Surgery to increase breast size involves inserting silicone sacks (implants) filled with silicone gel or salt water (saline) under the chest muscle and skin. The procedure involves making a cut (incision) in the armpit, under the breast or around the areola (the dark area around the nipple) from where the implant is inserted. The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and it will probably take 1–2 hours. You will probably be able to go home the day of the operation, but you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you. You may need to take some medication for pain relief for 2-3 days and you should rest for a few days after the surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after 7-10 days. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
Surgery to increase breast size involves inserting silicone sacks (implants) filled with silicone gel or salt water (saline) under the chest muscle and skin.
The procedure involves making a cut (incision) in the armpit, under the breast or around the areola (the dark area around the nipple) from where the implant is inserted. The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it) and it will probably take 1–2 hours. You will probably be able to go home the day of the operation, but you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you.
You may need to take some medication for pain relief for 2-3 days and you should rest for a few days after the surgery. You will probably be able to return to work after 7-10 days. It will take several months for the scars to fade.
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Contact Details
The Specialists Takapuna, 3 Anzac Street, Takapuna
North Auckland
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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Phone
027 615 1312
Healthlink EDI
oncoplas
Email
Website
3 Anzac Street
Takapuna
Devonport-Takapuna
Auckland 0622
Street Address
3 Anzac Street
Takapuna
Devonport-Takapuna
Auckland 0622
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This page was last updated at 2:03PM on May 27, 2026. This information is reviewed and edited by Auckland Oncoplastic Breast Institute - Katherine Gale.