Cosmetic surgery patients can reduce anxiety, expect better outcomes and enjoy a smoother recovery by doing basic research and not accepting all they read on the internet, says Dr Ian Chinsee.
Dr Ian Chinsee (MBBS, FACCS), who performs 500 breast surgeries per year on average in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, says patients can significantly raise their chances of a good result if they arrive prepared for the first consultation with their doctor.
“The first consultation is pivotal because it has a direct impact on increased patient satisfaction and decreased anxiety,” he said. “The more informed the patient is, the more realistic they are about the result. This means patients will be less anxious about their surgery and better positioned to enjoy an unremarkable and easy recovery period.
“For doctors, it is imperative to understand the patient’s motivations, to weigh their hopes with issues such as surgical safety, wound healing and body shape,” Dr Chinsee says.
He observes that patients fall generally into three categories:
“The informed patient has started preparing for the consultation well in advance, researched the risks and will have plenty of questions. This is an encouraging start.
“The consultation becomes a discussion around techniques and procedures. Importantly, this ensures the doctor and patient are on the same page in terms of expectations.
However, when patients have not done the crucial groundwork, the doctor’s job becomes a lot harder.
“There’s a group who have swallowed the cosmetic-treatments lexicon and know the terminology but not the meaning or implications. Also, there’s a cohort who decide on a whim and might bring a photo of a celebrity who looks nothing like themselves. They can be overawed at the first consultation and are underprepared for the reality of what surgery entails,” Dr Chinsee said.
“Ideally, a patient should be able to explain to the doctor their motivations and expectations for wanting to change their body. The doctor’s role is to explain the process from a medical point of view – different operative techniques, risks and potential complications – and ensure this fits in with the patient’s expectations.”
The issue of cosmetic surgery patients presenting with inadequate or misleading information was highlighted in recent US research.
A study*, conducted in 2018 by a University of California research team, found nearly one in five cosmetic surgery patients had done no research at all before their first consult.
Patients responding to the survey said before meeting their surgeon they wanted to learn the risks and benefits of a procedure (77.6 per cent), to set reasonable expectations (71.3 per cent), and to understand different techniques of the procedure (67.4 per cent).
But 19 per cent had done no fact finding before the consultation, and 25 per cent had no questions afterwards.
Further, the most popular information source (56.9 per cent) for patients before their first surgical appointment was the internet.
Dr Chinsee advises patients to be sceptical about apparent clinical information and reviews they find online.
“People seeking genuine knowledge and advice on the internet can have a difficult time distinguishing fact from fiction,” he said.
He says patients should bring a support person to the first consultation and should not be shy about raising questions or concerns later via phone and email to ensure peace of mind.
“Aesthetic surgery should not be a source of stress, he says. “It’s an elective, not a must-have. We go out of our way to communicate with our patients and develop the relationship, before it comes to the day of surgery.”
Australians undergo up to 500,000 cosmetic procedures annually, of which 20,000, are cosmetic breast surgery, the Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) reported in 2018.
The Medical Board of Australia set guidelines in 2016 specifically to advise doctors on assisting patients with informed consent and cooling-off periods.
10 tips to prepare yourself before meeting a cosmetic doctor:
- Assess your body type. If you are a petite size 8, then large 400cc breast implants may not physically fit your frame.
- Pull your ideas and thoughts together. Bring some ‘wish pics’ of what you hope to achieve and be able to explain your choices.
- Be open minded, not fixated on one look. Aim for a meeting of minds between you and the doctor.
- Understand your emotions. If there’s something wrong with your life prior to cosmetic treatment, the issue will still be there afterwards.
- Read the consent forms carefully. If you’re unsure of any language, ask the doctor, and a support person, friend or colleague.
- Develop a relationship with the practice manager. They’re there to assist you, so ring or write with any queries.
- Think long term. Young bodies will grow and change; breasts in your 20s will be different in your 60s. Childbirth and breastfeeding will also make a difference. Implants will need replacing or revising.
- Be aware of potential complications, how they’re handled, and how much they cost. Understand about bruising, swelling, bleeding and recovery.
- Prepare for the first few days after surgery. You’ll need someone to help you as you will not be able to lift anything and will need a few days of bedrest.
- Plan how you will pay for the surgery and any follow-ups or revisions. Take into account the initial costs and the costs of aftercare. Doctors are not financial advisers and can’t offer you financial schemes.
*Evaluation of Information Sources in Plastic Surgery Decision-making
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6084688/
