Many patients, through plastic surgery, have been able to experience reduced levels of depression and anxiety, as well as greater acceptance and a greater sense of satisfaction. It has also been shown to increase motivation and improve overall quality of life. Most studies indicate that, in general, people are satisfied with the outcome of cosmetic procedures, but few rigorous evaluations have been performed. Turns out so, according to a new study. It may seem like common sense when you look at it, but clinically speaking, surgically treating a part of the body that causes anxiety and insecurities can help you deal with those same negative feelings.
According to these reports, plastic surgery produces a positive psychological effect on the patient. It was found that people who underwent plastic surgery experienced a better quality of life, compared to those who chose not to have it. This applies to both functional and cosmetic surgery.The authors reviewed the literature on the psychological and psychosocial outcomes of people undergoing cosmetic surgery to determine if elective cosmetic procedures improve psychological well-being and psychosocial functioning and if there are identifiable predictors of an unsatisfactory psychological outcome. Plastic and aesthetic surgeons often record high satisfaction rates among their patients, and they have provided clinical and empirical evidence to support positive results in terms of patient satisfaction with cosmetic surgery procedures.
Patients should be informed of potential aesthetic outcomes and should be fully informed of potential side effects and complications. Obviously, any history of legal proceedings, threats, or overt violence against previous cosmetic surgeons should be a matter of great concern. Several studies reported improved social functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life4,18,21-26 after cosmetic surgery procedures. Several studies have investigated rates of body dysmorphic disorder in patients who see cosmetic surgeons, and have recorded rates of between 7 and 15 percent.
This may bias the results towards a poor surgical prognosis, since patients who do not respond well to aesthetic interventions are more likely to be referred for subsequent psychiatric care than those with a good response. Some of the studies have important methodological strengths, such as the large number of subjects 4,14,22,26,33 and the clear delimitation of aesthetic procedures. The interesting thing is that studies have shown that plastic surgery can also improve physical and psychological health, making people feel happier. Factors related to a poor psychosocial prognosis include being young, being a man, having unrealistic expectations regarding the procedure, undergoing previously unsatisfactory cosmetic surgery, having minimal deformity, having a motivation based on relationship problems, and having a history of depression, anxiety or personality disorders.
If you think plastic surgery is right for you and you have the right mood and realistic expectations, you should be able to enjoy the result, including the happiness and other positive impacts that come with it. Of course, the mere fact of having or having had a mental illness should not in and of itself prevent people from undergoing cosmetic procedures.
