Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

I have been writing about the Patient-Physician Relationship for facial plastic surgery journals lately, and wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. I believe that nothing is more valuable for my patients than helping them achieve their personal goals through surgery. However, how will surgery actually help each patient with achieving their life goals? I believe that I can be a better doctor when I know the answer for each of my patients. I start each consultation with a new patient with what Dan Sullivan [developer of The Strategic Coach (www.strategiccoach.com )] calls the R-Factor Question: “If we were to meet here in one year, looking back over that year that’s passed, what would have had to have happened for you to be happy with the progress in your life?” Notice that this question has nothing to do with surgery, but rather with my understanding my patient’s immediate life goals and dreams. During the consultation, I explore with my patient how surgery can help them meet their own goals, taking them to the next level in their life. I believe that we are all about 80% happy with our lives, but we are constantly looking for that next 20% that will make us reach the next level in our lives. When that includes surgery, then I can help my patients see what potential can be unveiled by successful surgery for them.

I also believe that no one can make any important decision in life if he/she is paralyzed by fear. Fear, in fact, is what keeps most of us from making needed changes. During our consultation, we explore what fears a patient has regarding surgery and progress in life in general. For each fear, I try to help them see a way past it. If it is fear of anesthesia, for example, I give them real facts about that risk, and also discuss how I have considered every risk and have minimized it for them. This has an amazing calming effect on most patients, so that this fear no longer stands in the way of their having surgery. After every fear is discussed, most patients feel empowered to take the step towards surgery. Our consultation doesn’t end there.

After fears have been discussed and eliminated, we talk about hopes. I ask my patient to imagine their life after successful surgery. What will it look like? How will it be different than it is now? What new opportunities will be unveiled for them? What personal strengths will be reinforced? What will this do for their personal and professional lives? A picture of life at the next level is even more empowering; few patients have trouble committing to surgery after such a vision is created by them of their future. This consultation process is what I call the Transcendent Consultation. It helps patients transcend their fears and reach for the opportunities that will be provided by surgery. This creates tremendous value in my patients’ lives. The consultation is not a superficial review of what surgery is like. It is a deep exploration of how surgery will improve all aspects of my patient’s life.