CHAPTER 14
14
The ideal patient is not really that rare. He or she has thought over the desired correction for a considerable time (at least for a few months). The deformity is clearly recognizable, to the patient and the surgeon as well as to an unbiased observer. The patient can for- mulate precisely what he or she expects to have al- tered. The patient is motivated and would like this correction to be done for himself/herself, that is, with the purpose of achieving a better relationship with himself/herself and not for the sake of other ambi- tions.
The expectations regarding the changes that could occur after the operation should not be set too high, otherwise disappointment is preprogrammed. Fear of the operation is normal and by all means understand- able. Sometimes, however, it is so pronounced that it prevents the patient from having the desired correc- tion performed. It is for this reason that the fear threshold should not be too low.
The ideal patient must have the ability to build up trust in the surgeon of his/her choice. Not only good After initial consultation and examination, we try to
identify preferably the most convenient candidate, who should, in the ideal case, be emotionally stabile without psychic disturbances, and the intended sur- gery should promise a great deal of success, that means facial constellation is obviously correctable. If the findings are minimal and psychic instability is present, we are advised to think twice or to refuse to perform surgery under such circumstances. The most dangerous case would be obvious deformity connect- ed with psychic instability. Also in such cases we should do psychological sounding out. To operate on somebody with untreated psychosis could have cata- strophic or tragic consequences.
The ideal candidate for aesthetic surgery:
– Suffers because of real existent body disorder – Has inner motivation
– Has no unrealistic expectations
– Has thought of surgery for a long period of time beforehand
– Has a precise idea of the desired outcome
The Ideal Candidate
Dimitrije E. Panfilov
Fig. 14.1. Prosopoplasty: face- and neck-lift, microlipofilling, eyelid surgery, and removing of crow’s-feet
69 14 The Ideal Candidate
healing qualities but also a healthy portion of opti- mism are very desirable and helpful. Finally, the ideal patient must be organically healthy, that is, healthy with regard to bodily functions. Emotional stability is also important. This listing of characteristics does not of course mean that we only accept ideal patients to operate on. Under certain circumstances and after thorough counselling, deliberation, and scrutiny, even less ideal patients can be considered for surgery if the patient’s expectations have been clarified and there is mutual trust.
The patient beaming with happiness after comple- tion of the treatment is a meaningful experience for
us. I would even say that many of us have become re- ally addicted to this feeling and always want it anew.
To know that you have liberated someone from the dungeon of their inhibitions and insecurity and infe- riority complexes is a feeling that is second to none – at least for me.
Bibliography
Please see the general bibliography at the end of this book.
