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Surgeons

Cosmetic surgeons work very hard to make their patients happy with their results. Patient safety is paramount. The definition of aesthetic incorporates mind and body. Beauty will always be subjective. A happy patient is the ultimate compliment to a surgeon.  Clear communication between surgeon and patient is at the heart of a successful outcome. Book into a workshop or session and learn how to achieve this more readily. Every patient will have their own hidden expectations. Is a surgical consultation the right place to address emotional concerns? Subscribing to this service will provide an emotional support service for your patients helping to create a well-grounded patient with realistic expectations. In the meantime, you can Ask The Therapist


Some surgeons find it difficult to know how to suggest to their patients that they offer my services. If this is you, please phone me about the workshops I offer that help you understand how to communicate with your patients on an emotional level. Alternatively, download my letter here.This is a way for you to offer your patients a service without a conversation. 

In their demanding careers, surgeons and aesthetic professionals can also find benefit in booking themselves in for some short-term confidential conversations. Please fill out the Contact Form
To find out more about integrating this service into your practice, please click on the 'live-online' button in the lower right corner of this page. 
To find out more about integrating this service into your practice, please click on the 'live-online' button in the lower right corner of this page and leave a message if I am not online. I will return your call. Alternatively, you can email me by clicking here. 
PictureAPPG Reflections on Body Image
In 2012, I gave evidence at the Palace of Westminster alongside Fazel Fatah and Susie Orbach on the trivialisation of surgery through advertising. They published a report recommending our work which you can see by clicking the link to the left. 
I am a Member of the Expert Reference Group for Health Education England (NWL) Cosmetic Interventions
and a Committee Member for British Standards Institute CEN Aesthetic Committee.


I am also an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). 

For many years I have been concerned about the trivialization
of cosmetic surgery and how this affects patient expectations.

Even with a change in advertising, patient motivation is not always clear. As the education of patients improve, the emotional needs become less clear.  Every surgeon wants his patients to be happy but that happiness may be elusive without additional attention to the patient as a unique individual. Patients need a place to explore the emotions in cosmetic surgery in a safe and confidential way. 

In January 2000, these concerns prompted me to set up a website, the first of its kind,  offering  emotional support to cosmetic surgery patients. I refer to this support as short term cosmetic surgery counselling. 

I am a qualified psychotherapist with a background in philosophy and a special interest in aesthetics and body image. My approach to the sensitive subject of (aesthetic plastic) cosmetic surgery and body image is existential, mindful and non-judgmental.The focus is always to create a well-informed patient paying attention to both mind and body. 
  
The site was co-founded with Arthur Anderson Ph.d (CPsychol) which allows focus on uniquely male cosmetic surgery issues too. Surgeons benefit from this service by operating on a realistically grounded, well-informed patient. The service I offer consists of two 'conversations' - Pre-op and Post-op. It is the conversation that the patient desires. Incorporating this service into your practice as standard procedure for all patients will allow for a safer, more holistic approach to aesthetic plastic surgery.
As noted by- Sir Liam Donaldson in 2005:  
"Patients need opportunities to talk about their motivation, expectation and fears with unbiased and trained counsellors wholly independent of commercial pressures."
 
Cosmetic Surgery Counselling is the private sector companion site to the original Cosmeticsupport.com which has been in existence for 13 years offering valuable emotional support and cosmetic surgery counselling to those in the public sector as a non-profit, voluntary, independent organisation. The status of Cosmeticsupport.com will change in the future.
I will be pleased to meet you and discuss how your subscription to this site will benefit you and your practice. Patients will learn that your practice goes the extra mile with support services and some of the proceeds go towards creating a charity for these services.     

The focus by BAAPS and BAPRAS to monitor for potential body dysmorphic patients is a very welcome addition to the consultation process but how can that be achieved without training from experts in the field? We understand the needs and concerns of the BDD patient group in relation to cosmetic surgery and offer a unique service. I am pleased to discuss this. For more information please fill out the Contact Form.

The much misunderstood BDD disorder has been trivialised and sensationalised in the media, leading the public to believe it is either a simple case of body image blues or a horrific mental disorder which can either be cured by cosmetic surgery or by keeping the patient away from cosmetic surgery. Personal experience certainly gives me important insights about cosmetic surgery results with body dysmorphic disorder  but my professional experience enables me to have a broader understanding of the inherent needs in this patient group and offer tailor-made professional psychotherapeutic support.

The article below is the kind of thing we were discussing with patients back in 2001 and although cosmetic surgery is more sophisticated, the psyche remains the same.

Res Extensa Versus Res Cogitans

Dr. Art -- 22/07/2001 00:08:57
  Ya know.. For surgeons its very easy.. cut this.. implant that... place a little of this under a wrinkle, plump up a lip.... easy.
   Patient responds, scars reduce over time... As Surgeons are apt to say... 'a chance to cut is a chance to heal' but what about the soul? The Heart? The satisfaction of the patient? Are they really any happier after the procedure? Many are ... some are not.
I suppose Psychiatry and Psychology are the evil step children of medicine. Perhaps? We deal with the left overs of what 'Cut and Repair' cannot touch. We deal with the soul. Pssssst.... Thats what Psyche means... Soul and Mind.

   Making people 'whole', 'complete' and happy is not an easy task. Its not only the surgeons knife that does all this. Good personal relationships help and sometimes these can only be achieved through a good alliance with a caring therapist. It will bring self acceptance...self confidence.. and finally -- knowing who you are and what you want -- will show you what to do.

  Aside from abusive partners, nagging spouses, disappointed mothers and fathers and yes.... even disappointed children... its all up to you.. NOT YOUR SURGEON, that is what counts. And we and the surgeons can sit here writing all this until the cows come home and it still doesn't matter. What matters is .. how you feel about yourself. If surgical procedures can
achieve this .. then MORE POWER TO THEM.. but what if they don't?.. or you feel you need more. Seeking out a life coach or psychotherapist/psychiatrist is as life enhancing as any procedure you are likely to pay for. And lasts forever when done right.

  For those among you who thumb your noses at 'Professional Psychological Help' I leave you with a 1500 year old buddhist proverb... "When you know who you are, you will know what to do. I wish you all the best in your quest".

After 20 years of practice.. I believe this says it all...

To disconnect the mind and soul from the body in the hope of finding happiness leaves one hollow and unsatisfied. Always seeking the next procedure that will make you whole and individually 'beautiful'.... You may not have to look that far.