What Do Patients Want?

Last year the ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) reported that although apparently patients were choosing to save money on cosmetic surgery procedures, because of the economy, these patients preferred longer lasting results. In two surveys it was discovered that many were putting off facial surgery in favor of non surgical procedures such as BOTOX®, longer lasting dermal fillers, and microdermabrasion. But what the surveys also revealed was that many cosmetic surgeons are not in touch with what patients really want. Patients want a treatment to last! Even during a tough economy, patients tended to choose procedures that lasted longer, even if they cost a little more.

This doesn’t surprise me. Patients of Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, have delayed face lifts for a year or so with microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, or a long lasting filler such at Sculptra. The surveys revealed that 59% of patients put off surgery, and 32% choose procedures that cost less. However, the ultimate finding of the survey was that 95% of patients would prefer a longer lasting procedure and a whopping 60% of patients felt that duration of the results were more important than the cost of the procedure. But the surveys also found that 82% percent of surgeons who responded believed patients wanted immediate results! Not only that, the surgeons also believed cost was more of a concern for patients than the importance of longevity! Wrong! My patients are smart, and these surveys confirm it! Most patients prefer longer lasting results over immediate results, and although willing to put off a costly procedure for a year or so, longevity is what patients really want.

What does all this mean? It means that a cosmetic surgeon should listen to his patients, ask lots of questions, and present options. At Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, we want to make you happy. We want you to get your money’s worth. The recent upsurge in non surgical procedures had indeed been a trend to postpone a more lasting surgical procedure through a difficult economy. I want to make sure you know options because ultimately you save more in the long run with a longer lasting procedure.

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up your consultation at 501-227-0707