UK Cosmetic Surgeons Support Psychological Screening before Cosmetic Surgery

According to new findings, which will be presented this July by the Center of Appearance Research located in Bristol, little is known about the psychological impact of aesthetic surgery, and ability of patients to cope and function long term. Here in the U.S., we might call this ‘long term’ satisfaction with cosmetic surgical procedures. Based on our practice experience, and the hundreds of studies which have considered safety and satisfaction of cosmetic surgery, evidence has clearly demonstrated its success and benefits. We don’t know how the Center of Appearance could have missed all the current published data as it is fairly easy to find. Some individuals have cosmetic surgery for the wrong reasons, and we too have written about this recently, and the careful practice will try to stay ‘patient’ focused and select only those who goals are reachable and meaningful.

In the UK over the last decade, cosmetic surgery has tripled and become a multi billion dollar industry, all of which is in the private sector outside of the national health program, or to quote the sentiment of the article the “unregulated private sector”. Is it really true that UK cosmetic surgeons believe psychological testing vital before cosmetic surgery? We will have to wait and see how the study is received after the July presentation, which might suggest that a well crafted screening process offer a “quick and efficient” guide to alternative care for those who do not measure up. It seems their government is leaning in this direction as the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death Report was quoted as including “psychological assessment is an important part of any patient’s aesthetic surgery episode and should be routine”.

In the U.S., we may also have to consider what we must share in order to show why we feel that a breast augmentation will enhance our lives, or perhaps that a facelift won’t really land us a better job but really could make us feel better. As a U.S. Cosmetic Surgeon, we hope not. There is something about our independence and free will to settle our own lives that makes us distinctly American. The Edwardian sense of order and protocol may not have left the UK which clearly has been surprised by the tremendous growth in the self improvement cosmetic surgery has to offer. I predict that they will hear back from their subjects what our favorite nanny, Mary Poppins, told her employer George Banks when asked to explain herself about how she was caring for the Bank’s children; “Frankly I never explain myself to anyone”.