Plastic Surgery and Psychology
Although skilled plastic surgeons are able to produce subtle cosmetic surgery results, the external effects of plastic surgery are still more evident than the internal effects of plastic surgery. For years, plastic surgeons have been curious about plastic surgery’s link to psychology. Since cosmetic surgery is designed to improve a person’s body image, it should improve their way of thinking. Recently, a study by plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Borah showing the positive impact of plastic surgery on psychology was presented at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s (ASAPS) 30th Anniversary Meeting.
The study consisted of 105 patients between the ages of 18 and 70 whose surgical procedures were cosmetic in nature. Researchers found that most of the patients involved in the study were positively impacted by their plastic surgery results. In fact, patients reported lower depression, higher quality of life, and an improved perception of their own well-being.
Keeping the positive impact plastic surgery can have in mind, we can’t exclude the possible negative effects of plastic surgery on a person’s mentality. People with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a disorder in which a person is overly obsessed with perceived defects in their appearance that are often imagined or over-exaggerated, are not good candidates for cosmetic surgery. It is extremely important for plastic surgery patients to have realistic expectations for their plastic surgery results instead of expecting a perfect appearance.
Additionally, overly dramatic plastic surgery results can also negatively affect a patient’s perspective. While our plastic surgeons will sometimes perform multiple procedures at one time (i.e., women who pursue cosmetic surgery after pregnancy often have breast surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction at once), the amount of procedures performed at once should be limited for the patient’s physical and emotional safety. Patients who wish to have multiple enhancements made to their body should do so over a period of time, allowing time to adjust and re-evaluate surgical goals instead of having ten procedures at once.
Overall, plastic surgery can have a very positive psychological influence, and the highly skilled surgeons of Atlanta Plastic Surgery take great measures to ensure their patients are pleased with their results. They take time during in-depth patient consultations to listen to the patients’ needs and desires while discussing the surgical procedure and answering any questions the patient may have. Visit our website to learn more about the cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures our surgeons perform. For more information on a particular procedure or to schedule a consultation, contact us.
