The patient should take the consultation with the cosmetic surgeon very seriously. They have to realize that cosmetic surgery is unlike common medicine.
Cosmetic surgery is simply a desire based on psychological need to look better. The patient is void of illness, injury, or disease.
Cosmetic surgery is strictly elective.
Cosmetic surgeons can explore various possibilities with the prospective patient using either the mirror, photographic examples, or by simulating results on the computer.
| Before | Simulated Results | Actual Results |
The patient must then understand their own body and appearance. They have to know realistically what cannot and more importantly what can be achieved. They must know what to expect before, during, and after surgery. They must know the upside and potential downside including potential complications. They must study all aspects, obtain advice from their core support group, consult their mirror, and make their individual decision. In the final analysis this is simply an elective decision made between the patient and the mirror. The mirror guides and dictates the patient’s decision. Once that decision is made the cosmetic surgery is performed in an attempt to achieve the best possible results. The cosmetic surgeon has often been referred to as the psychiatrist with a scalpel.
In facial cosmetic surgery, patients must understand that there are basically three realms. They present with conditions that will respond to; 1) surgery, 2) relaxing over active muscles of facial expressions, and 3) reversing sun damaged skin. Even though the three are inter-related the patient needs to separate their conditions and the treatments. The patient must also realize that the surgeon is, from a technical standpoint, dealing with four anatomical elements such as; the skeletal framework, the muscle, the fat layer between the skin and the muscle, and the skin. In facial cosmetic surgery any given patient may require any and all of these procedures.
On the initial consultation the patient’s medical history including any previous illnesses, adverse social habits, allergies, medications and previous surgeries must be revealed. The general physical examination and the examination of the specific areas in question will be performed.
Any appropriate diagnostic will be recommended including blood, EKG’s, and urine tests, possible x-rays on occasion, more sophisticated diagnostic studies. It is sometimes necessary to consult with the patient’s current treating physician.
You will be given extensive consents that will inform you of all the likely as well as unlikely possible results from cosmetic surgery. The good news is that in cosmetic surgery the four most common conditions that occur are; temporary bruising, temporary swelling, delayed healing, and possible scar (very uncommon). While other conditions and complications can occur they are unusual.