If you are considering engaging in cosmetic surgery, a pre operative psychological assessment is an important part of your overall journey towards addressing your appearance concerns. It offers you an opportunity to discuss your motivations for surgery and plan for effective pre and post operative psychological care.
We will explore your ideas and motivations for surgery. There might be numerous factors that are contributing towards your desire to change your appearance and defining these is an important part of your overall decision on surgery.
Engagement in cosmetic surgery is typically due to a struggle or dislike with an aspect of your appearance. It is therefore important that your current and past body image concerns (and how these relate to your current decision to engage in surgery) are explored.
We will discuss your current and past mental health experiences and your general emotional well-being. I will also explore your support networks and coping strategies. Doing so will help with recommendations for pre or post operative care.
We will discuss your expectations of the proposed procedure, for example what you hope will change as a result of the surgery. I will also explore with you the physical and psychological risks associated with surgery to ensure you are fully informed before your make a final decision.
I will ask you about the pros and cons of your proposed surgery and we can explore any doubts or hesitations you may have. Before making a life-long decision on surgery, it is important that you have time to consider the psychological as well as the physical impacts of surgery.
I will produce a comprehensive and detailed report within seven days of your assessment. Reports can be provided to you and your surgeon and details of what will be included within the report will be discussed during the assessment.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) recognise the duty of care to cosmetic surgery patients by promoting collaboration between surgeons and psychologists.
Consideration of a patient's psychological health (via a multi-disciplinary team approach) is considered the gold standard of care.
Screening for existing mental health conditions such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is essential for the psychological safety of patients and their response to the surgical intervention.
I am a member of the UK Special Interest Group of Psychologists Working in Cosmetic Surgery and I specialise in body image dissatisfaction. I currently work in collaboration with a number of UK plastic surgeons providing pre-operative cosmetic surgery assessments that are accompanied by a comprehensive psychological report.
Please get in touch to discuss how my services can be incorporated as part of the routine clinical care you offer your patients.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (2017)
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