For many people, going to a plastic surgeon - or aesthetic specialist surgeon - is not an easy step. Most patients have been struggling with questions or insecurities about their appearance for years. That is why I also take the time to get to know my patients and their wishes and expectations. First of all, I use the intake interview for this, but also all my other contacts with the patient. I will never operate on someone without having spoken to her or him in detail beforehand.
As a plastic surgeon, I see it as my first task in this regard to provide adequate information to the people I see at my surgery. In this way, I can help them make the right choice. That choice certainly does not always have to be a surgical correction. A thorough intake interview is also very important to properly match the patient's wishes and expectations with the options available to me as a plastic surgeon. I like to explain this with a few examples.
Obesity: lose weight and exercise first before plastic surgery
If a patient is struggling with being slightly overweight, I recommend first working on their own. A lot can already be achieved with weight loss, the right diet and exercise. If there then remain areas of the body that do not improve through a combination of healthy diet and more exercise, we consult again. For example, it is often difficult to get rid of the so-called 'saddlebag' on the hips with your own exercise. In that case, I consult with the patient whether plastic surgery could be a solution.
Improper self-image cannot be corrected with surgery
It also happens, that it is not entirely clear what exactly bothers the patient's appearance. To the outsider, there seems to be no reason for surgery. This is often the case if the patient is struggling with an incorrect self-image, or psychological problems. It is important that these are first discussed and acknowledged by the patient, as surgery will not help with this.
Different operation than expected for best result
Another example is, that a patient is striving for a certain beauty image and already has an idea about the type of surgery. It may then become clear from the intake interview that a different operation will ensure a better result. For example, consider the situation where a patient is thinking of an upper eyelid correction for a more open look. After consultation, an upper eyelid correction combined with an endoscopic brow lift may then prove to be the best solution.
Together with the patient, the best solution is determined
In summary, in practice, plastic surgery often involves more than simply carrying out what the patient asks. In most cases, though, patients are well-informed, for example through the media and their own research on the internet. The best solution usually arises by mutual agreement, in which the patient's best interests always come first. A consultation with a recognised plastic surgeon may or may not confirm your choice.
