Rajiv Varma
Dr Rajiv Varma is a private consultant gynaecologist based at our St John's Wood clinic, specializing in pelvic floor disorders, urinary incontinence and treatment of uterine prolapse. With 32 years experience in Gynaecology, he is now in full-time private practice and also holds an Honorary Senior Lecture post at University College Hospital. He has travelled widely to teach surgical techniques to surgeons across Europe and in countries including South America, US, India, Nepal and Hong Kong.
Dr Varma's main interest is in performing minimally invasive day care surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence. He is one of a handful of surgeons in the UK who performs surgery for uterine prolapse without carrying out a hysterectomy, with good outcomes. The procedure is carried out as a day case (5 hours average stay) and the recovery is much quicker than a hysterectomy, with better outcomes in the long-term.
Despite a strong interest in surgery Dr Varma strongly believes that surgery should be the last resort in treating any condition; and that patient involvement in informed decision making is a key element of good healthcare.
Role
Gynaecologist; Specialising in Pelvic Floor, Prolapse & Urinary Incontinence.
Other expertise: Complex pelvic surgery for endometriosis, large fibroids and vaginal hysterectomy for patients who require a hysterectomy in the absence of prolapse.
Qualifications
MB, FRCOG
- Registrar training at the University College Hospital followed by 2 years as a Clinical Research fellow at the Cancer Research Campaign (University of Birmingham); main area of research during this period was advanced ovarian cancer.
- Consultant Gynaecologist with a special interest in Uro-gynaecology from 1992 at Basildon University Hospital
- Recently left NHS practice to focus on developing safety devices in the field of Obstetrics and to continue with private work in Gynaecology.
Core Belief
I believe that patient involvement in the decision making process for all their treatments is very important. I have always treated all my patients just as I would like my loved ones to be treated if they had the same problem.
I like
My work! I am one of those fortunate people for whom work is just like a hobby, and always has been.
I don't like
Paperwork
I like Viveka because
The ethos of treating the person and not a disease has always appealed to me and at Viveka this is a guiding principle.
I also work at
The Essex Nuffield Hospital and the Spire Hartswood Hospitals in Brentwood Essex. I am also the inventor of a device called the Fetal Pillow, which helps to make an emergency cesarean section safer. This device is presently being used in many hospitals in UK and a few other countries.
Other passions
I paint using pastels and acrylics when I have some free time and more recently have attempted sculpting.
