During a presentation to a convention of doctors who specialize in aesthetic/cosmetic facial surgery, Chicago health care attorney Alex Thiersch said, “Vetting patients is the most important skill a facial surgeon will need.” One of the primary objectives of this book is to assist aesthetic surgeons in acquiring that skill.

Depending upon how candidates arrive at the decision to consult with a particular surgeon, patients contemplating facial surgery may be divided into three general categories.

The first group comes through a word-of-mouth referral network. A friend, family member, or business associate has had an encounter with the surgeon and recommended them. These are the easy ones. The patient already knows a great deal about the surgeon and the surgeon’s clinic, staff, and perioperative and postoperative care and—most importantly—has seen the outcome of the global system of care the surgeon and staff provide. Many already know the costs associated with the surgery in which they are interested.

The second group of patients is generally familiar with the surgeon and the clinic. They don’t personally know anyone for whom the surgeon has cared, but they have heard or read “positive things” about the surgeon. This group requires more nurturing in the preoperative consultation session. To allay the anxiety associated with this concern, it is your task to explain (in layman’s terms) why you recommend a particular course of treatment and the available alternatives to your recommendations, and to set the patient’s mind at ease with facts. Explain the degree of pain and discomfort the patient can expect, and that medication will be available to handle pain and discomfort, if it should be an issue. And reassure the patient that the treatment plan you have recommended will not produce the tell-tale signs of overly aggressive surgery.