I can think of quite a few patients whom after meeting, that I was glad I had the opportunity to read their chart before entering the room and meeting them for the first time. As what jumped out at me as to why they came in for a plastic surgery consultation was quite different from their physical concerns. Sometimes the most striking of physical characteristics does not really bother someone that much at all while very minor anatomic variations can be tremendously bothersome to them. There simply is no understanding why a certain physical shape is of concern anymore than figuring out why someone likes a piece of art or food item. In essence, what bothers people about their face and body is not always logical but it is most certainly always deeply emotional. It may have been an issue since they were teased as a child, rejected in relationship, jealous of a sibling or friend or even today poked fun at on Facebook. Plastic surgeons don’t try and figure out why something bothers a patient, instead, we focus intently on whether what we can do will be sufficient to satisfy the patient (changing their emotional perception). Designing and executing surgery is a logical process, the interpretation of its outcome however can be open to differing interpretations.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana