Meet Dr William Lubega: Plastic Surgeon at Refine
Direct answer: Dr William Lubega is our Plastic Surgeon at Refine Skin & Body Clinic. He holds a Master of Medicine in Surgery (MMed Surg) and a Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (FCS-ECSA) in Plastic Surgery. He specialises in facial surgery and body contouring.
Plastic Surgeon at Refine Skin & Body Clinic
MMed Surg; FCS-ECSA (Plastic Surgery)
Facial surgery and body contouring
Choosing to have surgery is a bigger decision than booking a facial or a laser session. It involves an operation, anaesthesia, time off work and a recovery that needs planning. Before you sit down with a surgeon, it helps to know who they are, what they do and what to ask them.
This article introduces Dr William Lubega, the plastic surgeon on our team, and explains what plastic surgery at Refine covers, how a surgical consultation works, how to prepare and what recovery generally involves.
Whether you are considering surgery with Dr Lubega or with anyone else, the questions near the end of this article will help you make a safe, well-informed choice.
Who is Dr William Lubega?
Dr Lubega is the Plastic Surgeon in our team, alongside Dr Chirag Kotecha (Aesthetic Physician), Dr Henry Owiny (Aesthetic Physician), Dr Ahmed Ashraf (Dermatologist) and Ms Wendy Emyedu Ayayo (Nutritionist).
His approach
Dr Lubega is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose surgical philosophy is grounded in proportion and balance. He aims for results that complement each patient’s natural features.
From the first consultation to the final stages of recovery, he makes sure his patients are fully informed, comfortable and confident in their surgical journey.
His qualifications, explained
Master of Medicine in Surgery (MMed Surg)
A postgraduate university degree in surgery, taken by doctors after their first medical degree as part of specialist surgical training.
Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (FCS-ECSA), Plastic Surgery
COSECSA is a regional professional body that trains and examines surgeons across its member countries. Its fellowship in plastic surgery is a specialist qualification awarded after training and examinations in that field.
You are welcome to ask Dr Lubega about his training and experience at your consultation. Any good surgeon will be glad to answer.
What plastic surgery at Refine covers
Plastic surgery has two sides. Reconstructive surgery restores form and function after injury, illness, burns or scarring. Aesthetic, or cosmetic, surgery changes the appearance of healthy tissue. At Refine, we offer these plastic surgery procedures:
| Area | Procedures at Refine | In plain English |
|---|---|---|
| Face | Rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, surgical facelift | Reshaping the nose; removing excess skin and fat from eyelids; lifting sagging facial skin and tissue |
| Body | Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction | Removing loose abdominal skin and fat and tightening the muscles; removing localised fat through small tubes |
| Breast | Breast augmentation, lift and reduction | Adding volume; raising and reshaping; making breasts smaller and lighter |
| Combined | Mommy makeovers | A personalised combination of body and breast procedures after pregnancy |
| Reconstructive | Scar reconstruction | Revising scars that are tight, raised or restrict movement |
Dr Lubega specialises in facial surgery (rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and surgical facelifts) and body contouring (liposuction, abdominoplasty and mommy makeovers). For smaller changes, some patients may be better suited to a non-surgical option with our aesthetic doctors, such as non-surgical liquid rhinoplasty for a minor nose bump.
What happens at a surgical consultation
A surgical consultation is a two-way conversation about your goals, your health and the risks. Dr Lubega carries out a thorough evaluation before any surgery. In general, a surgical consultation covers:
- Your goals: what bothers you, what you hope to change and why now.
- Your health: medical conditions, medicines and supplements, allergies, previous operations and anaesthetics, pregnancies and whether you smoke.
- How your skin heals: tell the surgeon if you have ever had keloids or dark marks after injuries. Both are more common in darker skin and affect how incisions are planned.
- An examination, and often photographs for your medical record, taken only with your consent.
- Your options, including non-surgical ones or doing nothing, with the likely scars, risks, recovery and total cost of each.
You should not feel pressured to book on the day. Taking information home, asking more questions or returning for a second consultation are all part of a careful decision.
How to prepare for surgery
- Stop smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow and raises the risk of wound problems. Your surgeon will tell you how many weeks before and after surgery to stop.
- Review your medicines. Some medicines and herbal supplements increase bleeding. Never stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice.
- Get health conditions under control. Diabetes, high blood pressure and anaemia should be well managed before a planned operation.
- Aim for a stable weight. Body contouring works best when your weight has been steady for some months.
- Follow fasting instructions before anaesthesia exactly as given.
- Plan your recovery. Arrange time off work, help at home (especially with children) and someone to take you home and stay with you afterwards.
Recovery: what to expect
Recovery depends on the procedure. As a general guide, minor outpatient procedures may need 3 to 7 days, whereas major body contouring surgery such as abdominoplasty typically needs 2 to 4 weeks of structured rest and recovery support.
In general, expect swelling, bruising and some discomfort that improve over the first weeks, and follow-up visits to check healing. Some body procedures use a compression garment. Scars keep changing for a year or more, gradually flattening and fading. On darker skin, protecting healing scars from the strong equatorial sun helps stop them darkening.
Planning rest and help at home makes recovery safer and easier.
Warning signs after surgery
Contact your surgical team straight away if you have a fever, spreading redness, pus, a wound that opens, bleeding that will not stop or pain that is getting worse. During clinic hours, call the clinic; out of hours, call your doctor on the personal number they give you at the time of your surgery. Calf pain or swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness can signal a blood clot and need emergency care.
Questions to ask any surgeon
When to see a specialist at Refine
If you are considering any of the procedures above, the specialist to see is Dr William Lubega, Plastic Surgeon. You can request a surgical consultation online, and our team will confirm where and when he is consulting.
Refine Skin & Body Clinic has three branches in Kampala: Lugogo (Forest Mall), Kabalagala (Palm Village Mall) and Bukoto (UMC Victoria Hospital Annex). In South Sudan, Refine Skin & Body Centre is on Airport Road in Juba. Read Dr Lubega’s full profile, or request a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the plastic surgeon at Refine?
Direct answer: Dr William Lubega is our Plastic Surgeon. He holds a Master of Medicine in Surgery (MMed Surg) and a Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (FCS-ECSA) in Plastic Surgery.
What procedures does Dr Lubega perform?
Direct answer: He specialises in facial surgery (rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and surgical facelifts) and body contouring (liposuction, tummy tuck and mommy makeovers). At Refine, we also offer breast augmentation, lift and reduction, and scar reconstruction.
What does FCS-ECSA mean?
Direct answer: It stands for Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa. The college is a regional body that trains and examines surgeons, and its plastic surgery fellowship is a specialist qualification.
How long is recovery after plastic surgery?
Direct answer: It depends on the operation. Minor outpatient procedures may need 3 to 7 days, while major body contouring such as a tummy tuck typically needs 2 to 4 weeks of structured rest. Full healing and scar maturing take longer.
Will plastic surgery leave a scar?
Direct answer: Yes, every incision leaves a scar. Surgeons place incisions where they are least visible where possible, and scars usually fade over a year or more. If you have ever had keloids, tell your surgeon, because extra preventive care may be needed.
Do I need a consultation before booking surgery?
Direct answer: Yes. Dr Lubega carries out a thorough evaluation before any surgery. The consultation is where you discuss your goals, health, options and risks.
Is there a non-surgical alternative to plastic surgery?
Direct answer: Sometimes. Small changes, such as a minor nose bump, may be improved with non-surgical treatments from our aesthetic doctors. Larger changes, such as removing loose skin or reducing breast size, need surgery.
Should I finish having children before body surgery?
Direct answer: For a tummy tuck or mommy makeover, it is generally best to wait until you have finished having children. A later pregnancy can stretch the muscles and skin again and undo part of the result.
The bottom line
Dr William Lubega is our Plastic Surgeon, with an MMed in Surgery and an FCS-ECSA fellowship in Plastic Surgery, and specialties in facial surgery and body contouring. Whoever you choose, a safe surgical journey starts with a thorough consultation, honest answers to your questions and a recovery plan that fits your life. If you are thinking about surgery, request a consultation with Dr Lubega and bring your questions with you.
Book a Surgical Consultation with Dr Lubega
Ready to explore your options? Request a consultation with Dr William Lubega at Refine Skin & Body Clinic in Kampala or Juba and take the first step in your surgical journey.