Dr. Ali Arnaout on Shaping the Future of Plastic Surgery with Innovation and Trust

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ali Arnaout, a leading Cosmetic Breast Surgeon at iQonic Aesthetics in London. Dr. Arnaout is one of the few surgeons in the UK certified to use both MIA FemTech and Motiva Preserva breast implants. He combines his surgical skill with new technology to make patient experiences safer, more open, and more empowering.

The Challenges Patients Face Today

Dr. Arnaout highlights that patients today have access to a lot more information than before. However, this also means there's a lot of misinformation out there, especially from AI tools like ChatGPT that might not be accurate for an individual. Many before-and-after photos are heavily edited, not showing what's realistically achievable. Quick-fix videos on platforms like TikTok also create unrealistic expectations. This often leads to patients having a misunderstanding of the surgical process, feeling anxious, and having a gap between their expectations and reality. It's important to address this misinformation and tailor information to each patient.

Setting Realistic Expectations with Technology

Because patients have so much information at their fingertips, some develop ideas about outcomes that don't match their own anatomy or what's possible. To help with this, Dr. Arnaout's clinic uses advanced systems like Adoreal. This platform guides the patient experience from start to finish and helps reduce misinformation. It includes a tool where patients can share their goals, concerns, and expectations. This helps Dr. Arnaout understand their priorities before the consultation even begins.

Adoreal also integrates a 3D AI tool called Chryslex. This allows for personalized 3D simulations based on the patient's own photos. Patients can see how different implant sizes or procedures like a breast lift might change their appearance. This makes the conversation more reality-based, moving away from guesswork. It helps patients understand what's achievable for their body type, boosting their confidence and improving the dialogue between patient and surgeon.

Even more advanced, they use augmented reality (AR) headsets. Patients wear these headsets and see the 3D simulation in first-person, looking at their own chest to see how implants or a lift would look. This offers a new level of patient empowerment, allowing them to visualize results almost as if they were real.

AI's Role in Pre- and Post-Operative Care

AI can also help guide patients through pre-operative and post-operative care. While AI might lack the emotional intelligence and direct availability of a human, it can assist with documentation and communication. Dr. Arnaout uses an AI clinical scribe called Heidi. This tool transcribes consultations, allowing him to focus entirely on the patient during the appointment without worrying about taking notes. This saves time on admin tasks and lets him be more present, understanding the patient's needs better.

Heidi provides accurate details of the discussion, which improves transparency and confidence. This detailed record helps in providing accurate pre-op and post-op guidance.

Managing Expectations in the Age of Social Media

With the rise of AI and editing tools used on social media, especially by celebrities, unrealistic expectations are common. Dr. Arnaout stresses the importance of using the technology discussed—like 3D simulations and accurate documentation—to guide patients. It's about distinguishing between AI-generated images that aren't realistic and those that are accurate and representative of what surgery can achieve for their specific anatomy.

• Key Takeaways:Misinformation from AI and social media creates unrealistic patient expectations.3D imaging and AR provide personalized visual simulations for better patient understanding.AI tools like clinical scribes free up surgeons to focus more on patient care.Transparency and clear communication are key to managing patient expectations.AI can help differentiate between realistic surgical outcomes and digitally altered images.

The Future of AI in Surgery

Dr. Arnaout sees AI as a digital co-pilot already in use. He envisions AI becoming more autonomous in areas like post-op care and recovery pathways. However, he emphasizes that AI cannot replace the need for compassion and listening to patients, which are vital for good results. He believes AI will continue to improve, potentially handling more remote consultations and automating administrative tasks, reducing the burden on surgeons.

For those building AI tools for surgeons, Dr. Arnaout advises focusing on communication and transparency. Creating tools that generate empathetic summaries to guide patients toward realistic expectations is important. A particularly useful tool would be an image scanner that can identify potential cosmetic procedures a celebrity in a photo might have had. This could help patients understand that certain celebrity looks are not naturally achievable and guide them toward more realistic inspirations based on their own anatomy.

This conversation shows how technology, when used thoughtfully, can significantly improve the patient journey in plastic surgery, making it more transparent, informative, and ultimately, more successful. Visit https://www.dezyit.com to learn more about the future of healthcare technology.