Public information

The development of a better social life, changes in professional and private needs, the possibility for greater self-confidence – all are factors which may increase a person’s demands on their appearance. The feeling that they look well brings about higher self-esteem, which may contribute to some extent to an easier achievement of success and feeling of overall satisfaction.

As a result, even the indication range of aesthetic surgery has changed. Formerly promoted opinions that surgeons decide what is considered a defect and whether an operation is done no longer hold true.

Currently, the feelings of individuals and their realistic expectations in accordance with a surgeon’s capability are the recognized criteria in decision-making for or against an operation.

This means that a person is operated on when he/she feels a need for a cosmetic modification and when a surgeon is capable of technically realising his/her idea.

The professional task of the surgeon is to provide a consultation consisting of an examination and an explanation of various treatment options, including their sequelae or possible complications.

Aesthetic plastic surgery deals with both inherited and acquired cosmetic defects.

Apart from purely cosmetic defects, which are often mistakenly considered to be the only subject matter of the discipline, plastic surgeons also deal with conditions affecting the mental state and somatic functions of patients.

Traditionally, the face or hands are the most frequent sites. These body parts have the strongest social impact and logically dominate the aesthetic impression. However, social development has lead to an expansion of aesthetically important areas to include almost the entire body.

The following list gives an orientation of indications:

The pace of life and demands of professional and private interests of patients have led surgeons to develop procedures that reduce the operative burden with either equivalent or even improved effect. A shorter convalescence, a reduced number of complications, and lower overall financial costs are thus achieved. Such stimuli are reflected in both biological research and technological development.

Technical progress and biological discoveries of recent years have brought important changes in methods and have enlarged the possibilities of aesthetic plastic surgery.

An increasing public interest in this field is obvious.

The decision-making of any prospective client should be based on realistic demands and expectations, followed by a surgical intervention performed by a skilled expert. The facility used must be able to provide for quality pre- and post-operative care.

It is necessary to acknowledge the fundamental difference between an average surgical patient and a patient who is demanding an improvement of their looks. The difference lies in the reason for the operation.

Typical surgery patients, who suffer from grave bodily troubles that endanger their lives, follow a psychological path which enables them to understand and respect the pain associated with their operations, the limitations of their post-operative condition, experiencing a longer convalescence, and possibly even complications or death related to their underlying disease.

Contrary to this typical situation, there are individuals who undergo surgical interventions while in good health, who expect mental satisfaction after the removal of the cosmetic defect and an ensuing improvement in their quality of life.

The burden of the defect and the desire to remove it is confronted with the experience of post-operative pain, fear, the length of healing and recovery, and also the financial expenses. Such a confrontation may not always elicit a positive reaction from every patient.

This confrontation may then bring about an immediate denial reaction followed by a discrepancy between the experienced unpleasant perceptions and the reality of the expected benefit.

As a result, there may be even a greater dissatisfaction with both the surgeon and the outcome, even though the latter is objectively not poor.

Such a development is more pronounced the less realistic the pre-operative expectation was, for instance in terms of improving a relationship, achieving a job, etc.

Long-term experience is a basic requirement for good diagnostics and communication between an aesthetic plastic surgeon and a patient. A natural necessity is the capacity for deep empathy of the physician with a client’s opinion, which at the same time serves as a defence against unrealistic and non-feasible demands on the patient’s side.

The notion of an ideal condition being the unity of physical and mental well-being makes it evident that good results of these operations may markedly contribute to a patient’s improved quality of life and thus to a feeling of complete health.

The Czech Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends all potential clients in cosmetic surgery to:

• consult at least two experts
• obtain detailed information on the expertise of the surgeon and the facility
• obtain detailed information on what is included in the price they pay
• acknowledge that cosmetic surgery is a surgery like any other, that it has its risks and complications and may not always fulfil the expectation and outcome that a patient desires.

The Society of Aesthetic Surgery guarantees the expertise of its members, however it is not liable for any dissatisfaction of any client with the outcome of surgical procedures.