Abstract
Cosmetic surgeries and enhancements may be defined as interventions to augment some feature, function or physical attribute in addition to what is considered vital for the preservation of physical health. These surgeries are unique in the sense that they seldom seek to remedy any ailment that interferes with the functioning of a healthy body. Patients voluntarily undergo cosmetic procedures that target the improvement or enhancement of physical appearance of an otherwise ‘normal and healthy’ bodily feature. But like all other medical procedures, cosmetic surgeons take prior consent from their patients before initiating any procedure. This article deals with the role and importance of consent in cosmetic procedures. Four important issued have been addressed in this article: Evolution of consent, its importance in medical practice and the relation between patient autonomy and consent. How are cosmetic surgeries different from traditional therapeutic procedures? Is there a higher threshold of disclosure of risks and available alternatives before seeking informed consent from a patient of cosmetic surgery than in other therapeutic procedures? What are the problems encountered by cosmetic surgeons in relation to informed consent? The article ends with the conclusion that a separate and special category of informed consent for elective or optional cosmetic surgeries must be contextualised which imposes on the surgeon a broader duty of disclosure, than what is associated with medically necessary surgeries.
Recommended Citation
Sadhya, Madhubanti
(2019)
"Role of Consent in Cosmetic Surgeries and Enhancements: A Comparative Analysis,"
National Law School Journal: Vol. 15:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://repository.nls.ac.in/nlsj/vol15/iss1/4