How does plastic surgery affect people mentally?

Compared to samples that don't have BDD, psychiatric patients with BDD appear to have higher levels of anger and hostility; lower self-esteem and higher levels of. For people who experience distress related to their appearance, cosmetic surgery can increase confidence and improve self-esteem. However, it's crucial to approach these procedures with a healthy mindset, realistic expectations, and thorough research. No surgery is risk-free, and the risks that could occur with plastic surgery can affect physical and mental health. If you feel very strong negative emotions regarding your physical appearance, it is strongly recommended that you consult a healthcare provider or mental health professional about body dysmorphic disorder before having surgery.

The potential adverse psychological and social effects of plastic surgery have a lot to do with the patient's expectations and with their mental and emotional state before surgery. While plastic surgery can bring positive results, it won't change your life, the problems you have, or the problems in your relationships. All ASPS members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited centers, and follow strict safety and ethical standards. In many cases, people with BDD undergo multiple plastic surgery procedures and are usually unhappy with the results.

Choosing the surgeon who will perform the surgery is probably the most important step you'll take to undergo plastic surgery. There can be risks and benefits, both mental and physical, for a person who decides to have plastic surgery. Although the risks of plastic surgery vary from one procedure to the next, certain risks are common to all surgeries and some of the risks are serious. If the surgery is successful and there are no complications, your life expectancy will not be shorter than it would have been if you had not undergone plastic surgery. Figures provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveal that cosmetic procedures (surgical and non-surgical) performed by plastic surgeons, dermatologists and otorhinolaryngologists increased 119% between 1997 and 1999.2 In 1999, more than 4.6 million such procedures were performed, the five main of which were chemical peels (18.3% of the total), botulinum toxin A injection (10.8%), laser hair removal (10.5%), collagen injection (10.5%) 3%) and sclerotherapy (9.0%).

Finally, in a Dutch sample comprised of patients from dermatology and plastic surgery clinics, 8.5 percent tested positive for BDD. Plastic surgery involves many different surgeries and procedures, with the objective of changing parts of the body, either out of medical necessity or because of aesthetic reasons. Because of these potential outcomes, plastic surgery must be approached with a healthy mindset and a thorough understanding of potential risks and complications. Plastic surgery procedures can be especially transformative for people who have struggled to change certain aspects of their appearance through non-surgical methods.

Research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that, under some circumstances, the psychological and psychosocial outcomes of plastic surgery were not positive. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) advises looking for a certified plastic surgeon by the board.