The importance of Psychological Screening and the management of expectations

Mr Ross discusses the importance of Psychological Screening and the management of expectations for patients in aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. It is very important that patients are fully informed and understand the pros and cons of surgery. Patients need to be aware that surgery may not be in their best interest and be able to be offered alternative avenues.

BBC “Holding back the years” with Arlene Phillips featuring Mr. Gary Ross

Mr Ross was involved in the BBC series hosted by Arlene Phillips “Holding back the years”. Mr Ross discusses the pros and cons of facial rejuvenation and what can be achieved with the varying different surgical techniques.

 

 

Cosmetic surgery ‘should be done by specialist surgeons’

It told the BBC the current rules allowed “GPs to do nose jobs” and that was “a big problem” for patients.

The organisation wants a new system to certify surgeons for each procedure.

Bodies that represent aesthetic plastic surgeons say that they support the idea but it will only help patients if it is “mandatory and policed”.

The whole industry has been under intense scrutiny since thousands of women were fitted with sub-standard breast implants made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

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The use of Psychological Screening Tools and Plastic Surgery

Mr Ross discusses the decision by superdrug to set up a high street non surgical practice with Psychological preoperative screening.

Manchester surgeon rejects 70% of patients due to expectations of resembling filtered celebrity selfies

A negative body image can affect an individual’s personal wellbeing, and this often leads to cosmetic interventions. Mr Stephen Powis, the National Medical Director of NHS England, has recently endorsed the view that providers should be officially registered and trained to recognise patients with body-image or other mental-health issues.

For Cosmetic Surgery the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) have introduced the RCS Certification Scheme through which clinicians receive formal training and as part of a professional masterclass. Mr Gary Ross, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the BMI The Alexandra Hospital, became the first cosmetic surgeon to be certified through the Royal College of Surgeons in 2017 and has been using psychological screening tools for several years. He stated:

‘There has been an increase in patients requesting cosmetic surgery in recent years and there has also been an increase in requests from patients with underlying psychological issues.’

Mr Gary Ross has piloted a direct referral pathway with CBT clinics, who are a specialist nationwide provider of psychological healthcare services in order to provide an effective and efficient means of assessment for patients. He stated:

‘I have been referring all young patients under 21 and all patients with a past history of psychological issues and any patient in which there has been a concern following psychological screening to CBT clinics for further assessment of their psychological needs, especially in regards to the presence of Body Dysmorphia or Eating Disorder. This pilot has been well received by patients and gives patients, clinicians and providers reassurances that cosmetic surgery is in the patient’s best interest. For many patients I believe a formal assessment should be mandatory prior to consideration of cosmetic surgery.’

“The psychological risks are often overlooked, and it is refreshing that the cosmetic industry is highlighting the awareness of psychological well-being in order to prevent avoidable harm.”

Although, most patients describe an improvement, following cosmetic surgery, it is important that cosmetic surgery should not be seen as a quick fix and patients well-being is considered. Mr Ross stated:

‘Through long term outcome studies, we are now beginning to understand the importance of patient selection and to predict those patients who are most likely to benefit from cosmetic surgery and most importantly those patients who may be at risk.’

 

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Thanks to the body lift, I was able to get rid of my saggy skin after losing 9-and-a-half stone

Used to tackle the legacy of dramatic weight loss – the unsightly apron of flesh left behind after skin has stretched to accommodate fat – the four-hour procedure involves virtually cutting the patient’s body in half to remove the unwanted tissue and tighten the underlying muscles, before stitching it back together.

 

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Treatment In Focus: Skin Tight

Body contouring after major weight loss reduces the excess skin and fat that is left behind after a major weight loss. The expansion of skin, loss of fat and lack of tissue elasticity results in sagging skin that commonly develops around the face, neck, upper arms, breast, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs and can make your body contour appear irregular.

 

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Treatment In Focus: Brachioplasty

Plastic surgeon Mr Gary Ross, a specialist in body contouring surgery, tells The Cosmetic Surgery Guide what brachioplasty- or arm lift surgery- can offer people who are unhappy with the appearance of their upper arms.

 

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Treatment In Focus: Breast Augmentation Revision

Revisionary breast augmentation is an increasingly specialised field of breast surgery.With all breast reconstruction one must consider the patients wishes for improvement in terms of size, shape and symmetry. Both clinician and patient need to establish what can be achieved and whether all expectations can be met.

 

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Breast Uplift Surgery Insights

Breast uplift surgery is designed to help those women whose breasts have sagged, either as part of the natural ageing process – sadly, gravity takes its toll on our bodies as well as our faces – or as a result of childbearing or weight loss.

 

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