Aesthetically Thriving through Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): An Evaluation of Patient Motivation and Perception on Aesthetic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Procedures

Abstract

Although the cancellation of elective procedures due to the COVID-19 outbreak has been a vital precaution, it has resulted in the suspension of aesthetic procedures and surgeries worldwide. Consequently, this postponement and other factors might have a negative impact on patients planning to undergo aesthetic procedures. Understanding the changes in patient motivation and perception in comparison to the prepandemic period is imperative for proper adjustment of plastic surgery clinics.

A prospective questionnaire study was conducted on patients with cancelled aesthetic surgeries or procedures to determine the effects that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had on patient motivation regarding cosmetic surgery and procedures and to establish a relationship between patient characteristics and the overall effect of pandemia on the perception of cosmetic surgery.

Although most patients felt angry or frustrated due to the cancellation of their surgeries or procedures, the majority accepted that it was a necessary precaution. Patients with a history of previous minimally invasive procedures had a significantly higher ratio of acceptance for cancellations, whereas single patients were more likely to want to have their treatments done if the decision were left up to them. A subset of patients considered undergoing additional cosmetic procedures in the setting of self-isolation, and all patients stated that they would reschedule once the pandemia was under control.

Patients with established motivation for plastic surgery and minimally invasive procedures ultimately plan to resume their normal treatments alongside others after the pandemia subsides. Plastic surgeons must actively communicate with their patient population during this time to properly educate, embrace, and direct them under scientific guidelines.

Keywords

aesthetic surgery - botox - COVID-19 - minimally invasive procedures - pandemia - patient perception

Compliance with Ethical Standards

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Board (approved under protocol number 2020.209.IRB3.089) and written informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Note

Billur Sezgin, MD, FACS, is a specialist and an associate professor of plastic surgery, Sedat Tatar, MD, FACS, is a specialist of plastic surgery, Basak Selin Kara is a plastic surgery research assistant and a fifth-year medical student of Koç University School of Medicine, Selahattin Ozmen, MD, FACS, and Reha Yavuzer, MD, are both professors of plastic surgery at the Koç University School of Medicine.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. April 2021

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