Reader Laura’s Comment:
“This story talks about older patients having more satisfaction with their surgery results than their younger counterparts. Do you think this is because they might have more realistic expectations of their surgery? Have you experienced the same thing in your practice?”
In the study, Hessler’s team surveyed 51 patients who underwent facial cosmetic surgery in 2007 and 2008. The participants answered more questions several months after their procedures.Patients older than 53 were more satisfied with their results than younger people, perhaps because older patients are more realistic, the study authors suggested. In addition, people who were being treated for depression tended to report more satisfaction than those who were not undergoing treatment for depression.
Source: businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/639147.html
This is pretty much what I see. Often times, younger patients require more care on the surgeon’s end planning the surgery and talking to set expectations. They tend to think differently than older patients.
Older patients have more life experience and tend to take things in stride. They also tend to have more things to “fix” and usually can see the changes better. There are always aspects of personality that affect these things as well. It is not like younger patients are bad patients. They are just different.
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
