Informed consent in aesthetic plastic surgery

The informed consent plays a very decisive part in aesthetic plastic surgery. As there is often no medical indication in plastic surgery, the patient has to be informed about all the facts of an operation, especially about the possible risks. The legal requests for therapeutic and economic clarification gain in importance. The jurisdiction in Germany demands a merciless clarification for the patient. The patient needs to be clarified about all facts early enough so that he has a sufficient amount of time to weigh-up the pros and cons of the operation and if necessary to take advice from someone else. The sufficient documentation is very important at the sight of the extensive burden of proof at the expense of the physician.