Brazilian surgeons are urging patients to align their expectations with medical realities to ensure satisfactory results from plastic surgery [1].
This alignment is critical because a surgeon's definition of a successful outcome may differ from the patient's perspective. When these perceptions diverge, patients may feel dissatisfied even if the procedure is technically successful.
In a discussion hosted by CNN Brasil, Dr. Roberto Kalil Filho, Dr. Luciana Pepino, and Dr. Marcelo Sampaio addressed the gap between clinical success and patient satisfaction [1]. Sampaio, who serves as the president of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, said that surgeons may overlook specific concerns that matter most to the patient during the recovery process [1].
The experts highlighted that the "before-and-after" transition is not merely a physical change but a psychological one. They said that clear communication before the operation is the only way to bridge the gap between a doctor's technical goal and a patient's aesthetic desire [1].
According to the panel, the risk of dissatisfaction increases when patients rely on idealized images rather than realistic medical projections [1]. The surgeons said that the industry must move toward a more transparent dialogue regarding what can actually be achieved through surgery [1].
By focusing on the patient's specific priorities, surgeons can better manage the post-operative experience. This approach reduces the likelihood of patients seeking corrective procedures based on perceived failures that are actually within the realm of normal surgical outcomes [1].
“Surgeons may overlook concerns that matter most to patients.”
The emphasis on expectation-setting reflects a broader shift in medical ethics toward patient-centered care. By acknowledging that technical success does not always equal patient satisfaction, the Brazilian surgical community is attempting to reduce the rate of psychological distress and revision surgeries caused by unrealistic aesthetic goals.
