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A Review of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Aesthetic Surgery Patients and the Legal Implications

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Abstract

Background

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an often under-recognized yet severe psychiatric illness. There is limited guidance for plastic surgeons in the USA in how to recognize and manage patients with BDD and protect themselves from potential litigation and harm. Therefore, in collaboration with legal counsel, we remind our profession of the serious nature of patients with BDD, provide warning signs for recognizing BDD, and critically evaluate the validity of informed consent and the legal ramifications of operating on such patients in the USA.

Methods

A literature review was performed to clearly define the psychopathology of BDD and identify cases of patients with BDD who underwent cosmetic surgery resulting in potential threats to the surgeon. An additional search of the legal literature was performed in collaboration with legal counsel to identify key cases of patients with BDD attempting litigation following cosmetic surgery procedures.

Results

The diagnostic criteria and psychopathology of BDD are presented. Warning signs are highlighted to alert the plastic surgeon to patients at high risk for BDD. Strategies for legal protection include a pre-procedure checklist for patients that are suspected of having a BDD diagnosis.

Conclusion

Body dysmorphic disorder is prevalent in the cosmetic surgery population. Patients with BDD often have a poor outcome following aesthetic surgery, which can result in a dangerous or even deadly situation for the surgeon. We aim to remind aesthetic plastic surgeons of the psychopathology, severity, and specific risks associated with operating on patients with BDD while suggesting specific protective strategies.

Level of Evidence V

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cosmetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System at Chicago, 820 S. Wood Street, Suite 515 Clinical Science North Building (M/C 958), Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Iliana E. Sweis, Jamie Spitz & Mimis Cohen

  2. Corboy and Demetrio Law Firm, Chicago, IL, USA

    David R. Barry Jr.

Authors
  1. Iliana E. Sweis
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  2. Jamie Spitz
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  3. David R. Barry Jr.
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  4. Mimis Cohen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamie Spitz.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Sweis is a consultant for Allergan, receives honoraria from Allergan/Thermi, has a patent pending for Smart Grid, and receives royalties from her book, Outsmarting Mother Nature. No other authors declare that they have conflict of interest.

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Sweis, I.E., Spitz, J., Barry, D.R. et al. A Review of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Aesthetic Surgery Patients and the Legal Implications. Aesth Plast Surg 41, 949–954 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0819-x

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