Who is Not a Good Candidate for Plastic Surgery?

When the patient, the plastic surgeon and the procedure are “a match,” plastic surgery can be a positive, life-changing event. It makes sense that not all patients are good candidates for plastic surgery, even when physical indications appear to be ideal. Dr. Hagerty, as an experienced plastic surgeon, is able, in the interview process, to identify patients who may have issues that work in opposition to the procedure in which they are interested. With such a patient, Dr. Hagerty may decide to operate, or may suggest that the patient obtain psychological counseling in order to make certain that the patient’s goals and motivation are “healthy.” These are several examples of the kind of patient whose motivation for getting plastic surgery and/or their level of expectations are indication that surgery may not be advisable.

A patient who is going through a life-altering change, like divorce, the death of a spouse, or the loss of a job, may look to plastic surgery for changes they feel will alter, or ameliorate their crisis situation. The “good candidate” understands that changing one’s appearance is not the solution to their problems. Patients should work through their crisis situation and only then, seek plastic surgery to improve their appearance.

A patient who is approaching plastic surgery as a way to look like a celebrity and, as a result expects to become a celebrity, or a patient with any other unrealistic expectations, is not a good candidate. Plastic surgery can achieve amazing results, but the patient must understand that “perfection” is unattainable and should not be held out as the standard for results.

A patient who is convinced that the “correction” of a tiny physical flaw will make life “perfect,” will also, no doubt, be disappointed with the outcome of surgery. Perfectionists can be good candidates, as long as their “perfection” is within reasonable grounds.

Some patients try to “use” plastic surgery as a cure to a problem that is psychological, not physical in its nature. Such a patient will, undoubtedly, be disappointed with results.

It is critical that patients are open and honest in their meeting with the doctor. Dr. Hagerty is eager to preform surgery on a patient, only if that patient truly is a “good candidate.”