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Explanation: Anybody who goes to see any kind of doctor (dentist, orthodontist, cosmetic surgeon, etc.) is called a patient, no matter whether there's any ailment involved. I am a patient when I go to get my teeth cleaned at a dentist's office, a woman delivering a baby at a hospital is a patient, and a person who goes to get a botox shot at a cosmetic clinic is also a patient.
“From a psychological perspective, there are two issues. One is protection of the individual seeking cosmetic procedures and the other is empowerment. When the first is predominant, the use of the term ‘patient’ is most appropriate, whilst the ‘client’ ..
The term "client" is usually used in psychotherapy and counseling to mean "patient", for example, client-centered approach. The use of "client" rather than "patient" puts the service recipient on a more equal footing with the physician.
Explanation: 患者 can also be said as "sufferer" - maybe in this context, can people who undergo surgery for cosmetic beauty purposes be considered sufferers [of the surgery]? Worth a shot.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 51 mins (2008-07-27 14:35:52 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Hrm, I wouldn't be surprised in the least personally. Though I don't quite get your "sufferer of *real me* before plastic surgery" quote. Anywho, another options might be victim? A victim of cosmetic surgery perhaps? Hehe....
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2008-07-27 14:47:32 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
In response to your latest note, ya know, in my humble opinion, I think "patient" is fine. We would normally refer to people who undergo cosmetic surgery as patients. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/... Here you can see they categorize cosmetic clients using patient as well (left hand side, patient storiess, patient safety). I'd probably just go with this translation, it's quite common enough.
Prof Projex China Local time: 06:10 Native speaker of: Chinese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Prof. Sufferer of **real me** before the plastic surgery?
I heard Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent cosmetic surgery by the time he switched to acting, (polishing his chin so as to appear manly). As a bodybuilding champion, maybe he didn't see himself as a sufferer.
The translation workplace 
