Psychosocial issues and their relevance to the cosmetic surgery patient.

Psychosocial issues permeate the field of cosmetic surgery: 1. The preoperative psychological profile of cosmetic surgery patients is likely to differ from that of people who don't come for surgery. Despite several decades of research, this difference is not well understood. 2. Cosmetic surgery patients often look for more than changes in their physical appearance. If these procedures do not lead to improvements in body satisfaction, self-esteem, or quality of life, then what is their purpose? 3. Patient-surgeon rapport is not simply a nice plus if it happens. Patient satisfaction, reduced legal liability, and improved surgical outcome can all be direct reflections of the surgeon's mastery of relationship-building techniques. 4. Identifying and screening out patients who should not have cosmetic surgery can prevent both patient and surgeon frustration and more extreme adverse outcomes. 5. A wide range of studies document the use of psychological techniques to improve surgical outcome.