The aesthetics industry in the UK is in a state of flux, with increased regulation of the non-surgical cosmetic industry on the way, a new wave of treatments such as polynucleotides and PRP therapy set to surge in popularity, and a rise in “make-under” procedures such as facial filler removals.
What hasn’t changed is the possibility of complications arising from both surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures, and there is a growing recognition of the wide-ranging emotional effects of cosmetic surgery complications.
The role of a medical practitioner in such cases is to provide both practical and emotional support for a patient that has suffered complications. So, in this article we will be looking at the different psychological effects of complications, and offering guidance on supporting patients’ emotional needs, in what is invariably a time of great stress.
Understanding the Psychological Impact
There are many psychological consequences of aesthetic procedures. A common reaction is anxiety, as patients worry how, and even if, the complication will be resolved. There could also be anxiety relating to future treatment, particularly if it involves a further surgical procedure.
Anger is also a frequent response from the patient, which is often directed at the practitioner, who they may perceive as being responsible for the complication.
Negative emotions such as regret are commonplace, and they can lead to diminished self esteem and a sense of failure, as a result of the perceived issue that saw the patient seek an aesthetic procedure in the first place failing to be resolved, and even getting worse in some situations.
In some more extreme cases, a patient dealing with a cosmetic procedure outcome that was not to their liking may also suffer from depression, as a number of negative emotions get the better of them.
Influencing Factors
Of course, every patient will react differently, but the severity of the psychological impacts of aesthetic procedures can also be influenced by other factors.
One of these is the patient’s initial expectations prior to the procedure. If they were not sufficiently prepared for the possibility of complications, no matter how small that possibility was, then any bump in the road could lead to a negative emotional response.
Also, if a patient feels that they have been misled about the expected outcome of a procedure, even if all has gone well they may still have a negative emotional response.
The visibility of the complication is also a contributing factor, with some being hard to hide, and leading to the patient feeling self conscious about their appearance, in addition to any other emotions they may be feeling.
Linked to this are personal and societal pressures that may be felt by the patient to look a certain way, which will only serve to exacerbate any complications following an aesthetic procedure.
Signs of Psychological Distress
A practitioner’s responsibility when it comes to remedying the emotional effects of cosmetic surgery complications is to help solve the problem and aid the patient in overcoming any psychological distress. To do this, they will need to know the overt and hidden signs that all is not mentally right with the patient.
Verbal expressions of distress are easiest to spot, and can span a wide range of emotions from anger and frustration, to sadness and regret. Linked to this are behavioural signs of distress, such as withdrawal and unwillingness to engage with the practitioner, or outright non-compliance with the recommended plan of action.
Hidden signs of distress are harder to spot, and they could include “putting on a happy face”, avoiding eye contact, failing to make eye contact when you are talking to them, fidgeting unduly, or just seeming to be distant.
Communicating Effectively with Patients
Effective patient support after procedure complications begins with successful communication. There are some strategies that can help practitioners talk to patients both sensitively and constructively.
Active listening is at the core of effective communication. This means that practitioners need to listen with the aim of fully understanding what a patient is saying, rather than just waiting for the chance to respond.
Asking open questions such as “What do you think?” or “How do you feel?”, that don’t just require yes or no answers, will help the patient articulate their feelings more effectively, and let them know that you are fully engaged with the conversation.
This integral part of patient-practitioner communication will also help validate a patient’s feelings and build trust, as they realise their emotional experience is being accepted and their practitioner is showing empathy with their situation.
However, a patient will be looking for much more than this. They will also want to know what their treatment options are, and look for a practitioner’s expert opinion about their prognosis. This information should be delivered in a clear, transparent and sensitive fashion.
Integrating Psychological Support into Patient Care
One of the primary aims of these initial conversations is to put a patient care plan in place. This will involve plotting a pathway to physical recovery, along with integrating psychological support into any future plan.
It’s crucial to realise the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach here, particularly for patients showing signs of severe psychological distress.
Early conversations should enable practitioners to take a view on whether a patient would benefit from psychological counselling for aesthetic complications. The referral procedure should also be familiar to anyone working in aesthetic medicine.
Supporting Patient Recovery
A patient’s physical and mental recovery depends upon much more than putting a plan in place for any subsequent treatment. Supporting patients during this difficult time also involves other elements, which are important to recognise.
Setting realistic timelines for further consultations and treatment is important, as is discussing a realistic recovery time frame.
Involving a patient in the decision-making process is vital, and should happen in stages. The first is presenting evidence-based information about all of the treatment options, which should also include the option of doing nothing, alongside information about the benefits and risks of each pathway.
A practitioner can certainly recommend what they believe is the best option, but the ultimate decision should always lie with the patient, and the practitioner should always be prepared to take the preferences of their patient into account, even if it may go against their own advice.
Once a course of treatment is underway, whether it’s mental, physical or both, a practitioner needs to continue to be a leading presence in the patient’s life, providing continuous reassurance, advice and education, every step of the way.
Building Resilience in Patients
Another role of an aesthetic medicine practitioner when coping with cosmetic procedure outcomes is to suggest ways that patients can maintain, and even improve their mental health, as they move through their post-complication journey.
Key to this is building resilience and promoting a positive outlook, whether treatment runs smoothly or not.
A patient should be advised that building and maintaining a strong support network is vital to their recovery. These support structures have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and can make a huge difference to a patient’s wellbeing.
Educating a patient about the dangers of unhealthy coping mechanisms such as overindulging in food or alcohol, along with promoting healthier strategies such as mindfulness, or complementary therapies such as acupuncture, meditation and reflexology, should also be at the forefront of a practitioner’s mind.
A Pathway to Wellness
The concept of mental health support in aesthetics may be an alien one to many practitioners, who are far more familiar with the physical road to recovery.
However, the importance of acknowledging and addressing the psychological impacts of aesthetic procedures cannot be overstated, and aesthetic practitioners also have a key role to play in helping a patient’s emotional recovery from aesthetic treatments that have not gone to plan.
There are ways to ensure effective patient support after procedure complications, from recognising the signs of psychological distress, to putting practical measures in place to aid a patient’s emotional recovery.
The good news is that effective patient-practitioner communication is at the heart of everything, and it is a skill possessed by all good practitioners of aesthetic medicine. Another existing skill within this fraternity is recognising that a collaborative approach, utilising different experts if needed, is at the heart of patient care in cosmetic medicine.
So it follows that aesthetic medicine practitioners are better prepared than they may think to promote positive mental health in aesthetic medicine, and can play a crucial part, not only in a patients physical rehabilitation, but also their psychological recovery.
Aesthetic medicine practitioners should always take the psychological impact of complications seriously, and should be open to seeking out external resources or training to better support their patients emotionally. At Acquisition Aesthetics we offer a wide range of courses, including a Complications Masterclass that expands on the information provided in this article.
Q&A
- How can an aesthetic medicine practitioner spot that all is not well emotionally with a patient after a complication?
Practitioners should look for overt and hidden signs of emotional distress, such as anger and anxiety, along with physical signs such as failure to maintain eye contact during conversations.
- When it comes to mental health in aesthetic medicine, what are the most effective communication strategies?
Communicating in a clear and honest way and utilising active listening techniques will put a patient at ease and help allay any fears about further treatment following aesthetic procedure complications.
- How can an aesthetic medicine practitioner support a patient’s emotional recovery after a complication?
Putting a treatment plan in place which has been collaboratively decided on is crucial to a patient’s emotional recovery. Furthermore, setting a realistic timeline and providing continuous support through the whole process is also hugely important.
