Cosmetic Surgery Patient Satisfaction: You’re the Judge
Who can best predict how satisfied you’ll be with cosmetic surgery? You can. By being an informed patient—even to the point of understanding a bit about the dynamics of the marketplace—you can be in the driver’s seat when it comes to getting a pleasing outcome.
As a savvy consumer, you are probably already reading up on the procedure you have in mind. You know what to expect in terms of recovery, and you’re prepared to do your part to ensure your comfort and safety. Here are some tips to help you make the most critical decision impacting your satisfaction: the choice of plastic surgeon.
• Know that the elective nature of cosmetic surgery means plastic surgeons have to pay attention to marketing. Unlike some other doctors such as heart surgeons and oncologists, cosmetic surgeons are chosen by their patients, often from a long list of possibilities. This means they need to reach out and offer information to interest you.
This can be a good thing or a bad thing. In the best situation, you’ll encounter information online that indicates a prospective plastic surgeon has the board certification, experience, before and after cosmetic surgery photos and stable, talented team you’re looking for. On the other hand, some doctors focus more on their sales pitch, offering deals, making promises and using superlatives like “best” and “finest.”
Even though the business can be quite competitive, cosmetic surgery is still surgery. Your plastic surgeon and you should view the opportunity to work together with the honesty and gravity it demands.
• Consider both the power and limitations of patient reviews, forums and other online information. This kind of information can be helpful, if you evaluate it carefully. Many sites list and review only surgeons that pay a monthly fee—know which ones. If you spot unflattering patient feedback, weigh it from various angles. Does the person sound reasonable? Is one negative posting outweighed by many others that are positive?
Keep in mind that patients are people, with every possible reason for rating a surgeon negatively. A few may have body image issues the cosmetic surgeon did not pick up on in consultation. Some who are unsatisfied post more than one review. The point is, it’s the overall picture that really matters, not one reviewer on a rant.
• Understand the dynamics of healthcare in the U.S., and potential impacts on medical professionals. It’s no secret that while more money is spent on medical care in this country than in any other, the U.S. does not rank anywhere near the top 10 in general medical outcomes (not specifically in cosmetic surgery). The situation is causing a flurry of activity intended to improve things; one strategy is to aim for more patient satisfaction surveys, physician report cards and so on.
Unfortunately, it’s not necessarily easy to evaluate patient experiences and physician performance through more surveys and ratings. In fact, doctors at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis just published an article noting that increased scrutiny of this kind can prompt unwanted behavior in the industry, such as doctors investing in luxury facilities or even over prescribing pain medication in an effort to please patients. You can read more on this topic here, including the authors’ recommendations for tools that can make a meaningful difference in understanding patient satisfaction in plastic surgery.
After gaining some awareness of factors influencing the cosmetic surgery marketplace, you may be discouraged about finding your way to an outstanding plastic surgeon and good results. Don’t be! We can assure you that the tools you need to make the right choices are in your hands, starting with plenty of research on all aspects of cosmetic surgery, a short list of prospective surgeons with top-notch credentials and in-person consultations that yield honest, complete answers to all your questions.
With all the information you receive, there’s just one thing you need to do: apply critical thinking. Ask yourself if what you’re finding out makes sense. Does the doctor’s website convey valuable, balanced information? Do you hear about results you can anticipate without unrealistic promises? Is safety top of mind at all times?
With more than three decades of successful plastic surgery in New York, we may be able to help you if needed. Don’t hesitate to call on us.
