New York, NY (May 13, 2003) — According
to the most comprehensive survey to date of
U.S. physicians and surgeons by the American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(ASAPS), there were nearly 6.9 million
cosmetic (aesthetic) surgical and
nonsurgical procedures performed in 2002,
representing a 228 percent increase in the
number of cosmetic procedures since 1997. In
addition, an ASAPS Consumer Attitudes
Survey, conducted in February 2003, reveals
that a substantial majority of Americans say
they approve of cosmetic surgery and an
overwhelming percent say they would not be
embarrassed about having cosmetic surgery.




Most studies report that people are
generally happy with the outcome of cosmetic
procedures. Patients who have unrealistic
expectations about the results of cosmetic
plastic surgery may never be satisfied with
the outcomes, despite results that are
objectively judged as good. Some of these
individuals have a rare psychiatric disorder
called body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD.



Given that every surgery carries risk and
that the patient's assessment of cosmetic
surgical outcomes is necessarily subjective,
the over-riding question for those
considering cosmetic surgery is this: How
can patients help to ensure their
satisfaction after cosmetic surgery?



There can be no guarantees of results from
cosmetic plastic surgery. However, ASAPS,
the largest organization of board-certified
plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic
surgery, says that patients can take certain
steps to help ensure their safety and
satisfaction when undergoing cosmetic
surgery:

• Check the surgeon's credentials.
  ASAPS membership ensures that the doctor
  is certified by the American Board of
  Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board
  recognized by the American Board of
  Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify
  doctors in the specialty of plastic
  surgery. [In Canada, ASAPS members must be
  certified in plastic surgery by the Royal
  College of Physicians and Surgeons of
  Canada.] ASAPS members also meet other
  additional requirements for cosmetic
  surgery experience and continuing
  education.
  
   
• Check for surgeon/patient rapport.
  Look beyond credentials to relationship.
  Optimal results are achieved when surgeon
  and patient candidly discuss benefits and
  risks and plan the course of the surgical
  journey together. Discuss what happens
  after surgery - what plans are in place in
  case of concerns or complications, however
  rare they may be. Just as the patient must
  be candid with the surgeon, so the surgeon
  must be responsive to the patient. Even
  the most experienced surgeon is not the
  "right" surgeon for every patient.
  
   
• Check hospital privileges.
  Wherever the surgery will be performed, be
  sure that the surgeon has operating
  privileges in an accredited hospital for
  the same procedure being considered.
  
   
• Check for facility accreditation.
  As of July 2002, ASAPS members performing
  plastic surgery in which anesthesia (other
  than local anesthesia and/or minimal
  tranquilization) is used must operate in a
  facility that meets at least one of the
  following criteria: accredited by a
  national or state-recognized accrediting
  organization; state-licensed; or
  Medicare-certified. Not all physicians
  performing cosmetic surgery meet these
  high standards.
  
   
• Check for realistic expectations.
  Patients should understand that surgery
  has limitations, and these limitations
  vary greatly depending on individual
  patient factors. Frank discussions before
  surgery as to what is - and what is not -
  possible should lead to greater
  satisfaction after surgery when realistic
  goals have been achieved. Patient and
  surgeon should agree that the goals
  desired are realistic. While an "extreme
  makeover" may sound appealing, the plastic
  surgeon is ultimately the best judge of
  whether more than one procedure can be
  safely performed at the same time.
  
   
• Check for underlying problems.
  Health and emotional issues must be
  addressed before surgery. Patients with
  underlying health or emotional problems
  may not be good candidates for surgery,
  and may be dissatisfied with objectively
  successful surgical results. Patients must
  be candid with their surgeons in order to
  assure that potential problems are
  addressed before surgery. A plastic
  surgeon may recommend further medical or
  psychological evaluation prior to putting
  patients on the surgical schedule.
  
   
• Check for cost. Cosmetic
  surgery is not covered by insurance, and
  some patients may be tempted by promises
  of "bargains." Remember, the second word
  of "cosmetic surgery" is "surgery," and
  the competence of the surgeon should be a
  patient's primary concern. At the same
  time, it is always advisable to have a
  complete understanding of all costs
  involved before deciding to undergo any
  procedure.
  
   

It is ASAPS' position that patient safety
and satisfaction are paramount. Both are
best achieved when surgical expertise is
combined with a doctor-patient relationship
that helps patients identify realistic goals
and provides ongoing support from the
initial consultation through recovery and
follow-up.