Script for when a patient asks for what you don't recommend
It is common for patients to arrive with the idea already made up: "I want to enlarge this", "I want that thing I saw". What they ask for is not always what you would recommend. Giving in out of awkwardness is a clinical risk. Refusing flatly breaks the relationship.
The way out is a technical and warm response: listen, show what you see in the case, propose another path and make the decision clear.
Questions that help you understand the request
How do you balance listening and technique?
| The patient says | Possible reading | Suggested response |
|---|---|---|
| "I want more volume" | Seeking an effect that may come from another area | Show on the photo where the effect originates |
| "I want it just like the photo" | An aesthetic reference, not an anatomical one | Explain that the plan starts from their face |
| "I need to do it today" | Anxiety or outside pressure | Offer time and a reassessment |
| "My friend had it done and it looks great" | Comparison with another case | Talk about their case, without disparaging |
Where does the simulation help?
The projection can show, as an illustration, the alternative you propose, with Subtle intensity for example, next to what the patient had imagined. This turns an argument into a comparison. Always remember that it is an illustrative simulation and not a promise.
For a more general approach, see the script for politely declining a procedure, how to say no to a patient in facial harmonization and defining what a good result is.
Frequently asked questions
Does the patient have the right to demand the procedure they asked for?
The patient can ask, but the recommendation is the professional's clinical decision. You are not obliged to perform what you don't consider indicated or safe.
How do I explain without sounding arrogant?
Talk about what you observed in their case, not general rules. Show the photo, explain what you would prioritize and make it clear that the final decision is discussed together.
What if they show a photo of someone else as a reference?
Use the reference to understand their expectation, not as a goal. Explain that every face is different and that the plan starts from their anatomy.
Can I use the simulation to show why I don't recommend it?
You can use it as an illustration of an alternative, never to prove or promise a result.