Preoperative Cosmetic Consultation and Psychological Complications of Cosmetic Surgery

Abstract

Evaluating the psychosocial status of a patient is a crucial component of every medical specialty. However, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons undoubtedly encounter patients with certain psychological disorders at a much higher frequency than many of their colleagues. At its most superficial level, the underlying goal of any cosmetic surgery procedure is to provide some sort of psychological benefit to the patient from the completion of the procedure.1 More specifically, the surgeon should be able to lead the patient to greater emotional health.1 Because of this inextricably intertwined relationship of cosmetic surgery and psychology, the psychosocial health of every cosmetic surgery patient must be thoroughly evaluated in order to ensure that no serious underlying psychological disorders exist that would preclude a specific patient from an aesthetic procedure. As such, any doctor performing cosmetic procedures should have a working knowledge of the presentation, etiology, and treatment options for many of the common diseases that may be encountered. With this knowledge the cosmetic surgeon will also be able to aid in the identification of patients in need of counseling or psychiatric treatment and avoid performing surgeries that would otherwise be contraindicated due to the presence of these various mental conditions.