feature
Consultant dermatologist and phlebologist
Dr Adrian Lim
outlines the importance of
asking questions when considering a
cosmetic surgery procedure.
procedure is the relationship between the patient
and the practitioner. The patient should feel
comfortable and trust the practitioner and the best way of
achieving this is by asking lots of questions from the start.
In Australia, cosmetic procedures are carried out by a
variety of medical practitioners. A laser procedure, for
instance, may be performed by a specialist dermatologist,
a specialist surgeon, a cosmetic doctor, a GP or, in some
cases, a cosmetic nurse practitioner. As cosmetic
procedures become increasingly non-invasive and non-
surgical, the types of practitioners providing this service
have become more diverse. This can be confusing for the
patient but the ideal is to look for the most qualified and
experienced practitioner for the procedure.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the doctor carrying out
the consultation may not be the one doing the procedure,
particularly in a multi-faceted cosmetic practice. General
practitioners and nurse injectors may work with specialist
dermatologists, plastic surgeons or cosmetic physicians. In
this context these non-specialist practitioners are often
highly trained and skilled in their particular area and can
often provide a comparable level of service.
The patient should also ask which procedure will give
them the best outcome and why, as there are usually
several options for a given problem.
Varicose veins, for example, can be treated either by
vein stripping (very invasive) or by vein injections or lasers.
It is essential to know all the options before committing to
a particular procedure.
At times, a combination approach works best. Facial
wrinkles can be improved with muscle-relaxing injections,
filler injections to plump up lines and laser resurfacing for
smoother skin as well as surgical facelifting procedures.
Many of the well-publicised cosmetic ‘disasters’ are
exaggerated outcomes of safe conventional procedures
pushed to the limit, rather than ‘botched jobs’. It is the
doctor’s ethical and professional duty to provide expert
feedback regarding the optimum outcome for the patient.
With this in mind, the patient should always ask if the
procedure is right for them, and they should value the
opinion of the specialist doctor.
It is also important to get a clear idea of down time and
any possible side effects or complications prior to having a
procedure. Today patient information documents routinely
list all the possible side effects and complications relating
to the procedure, but the patient should ask further
questions if in doubt about any aspect.
When it comes to costs and financing, all fees and costs
should be stated upfront. There should be no surprises.
Certain procedures such as the repair of severe acne
scarring may attract a Medicare rebate, while cosmetic
procedures are not generally refundable by Medicare.
Private health funds will often cover any hospital stay but
not the procedural fee itself. It’s also worth asking what
happens after the procedure, for example if any additional
work or revision is needed.
It is imperative that people do their research and ask the
right questions, however, it is just as important they trust
their instincts. For example, they should ask themselves
if the doctor has answered all of their questions in a
balanced way and if they have established good rapport
with the doctor.
If, despite their excellent credentials, the patient does
not feel comfortable with the doctor then it may be best not
to commit to the procedure just yet.
acsm
218
AUSTRALIAN COSMETIC SURGERY
the right
O
ne of the most important aspects of any cosmetic
