Cosmetic surgery really can boost your quality of life, if you have realistic expectations going in to your procedure. And the best news is, it seems most us are pretty down to earth about what cosmetic procedures can and can’t achieve.
A European study found that only 12% of first-time cosmetic surgery patients had unrealistic expectations as to how surgery might transform their lives. The vast majority of patients, on the other hand, reported a boost in self-confidence and enjoyment of life.
Researchers compared a group of first-time surgery patients against two other groups: those who had previously wanted plastic surgery and then decided against it; and those from the general population who said they had never been interested in such operations.
Psychologists tested the patients before surgery, as well as at three, six and 12 months afterwards. Compared to those who had chosen not to have plastic surgery, the patients who opted for surgery ‘felt healthier, were less anxious, had developed more self-esteem and found the operated body feature in particular, but also their body as a whole, more attractive,’ the researchers wrote. ‘No adverse effects were observed.’
According to the researchers, only 12 per cent of the respondents expected plastic surgery to do the impossible: that is, solve all their problems or transform them into a new person.
The study, which is published in the journal Clinical Psychological Science, builds on previous research linking negative psychological outcomes with unrealistic expectations leading into surgery.
It also adds more weight to the argument that cosmetic surgery can result in a boost to a patient’s quality of life.
‘enter into any cosmetic procedure for the right reasons, and with realistic expectations.’
Another recent study, which was published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, used validated survey instruments to expand upon previous claims that breast augmentation improves quality of life, concluding that women who have undergone the procedure report higher psychological, sexual and physical satisfaction.
‘This is one of the first studies to analyse patient-reported satisfaction and quality of life following breast augmentation using the BREAST-Q, the only survey instrument for breast augmentation that meets both federal and international standards for questionnaire development,’ explained Lead author Dr Michelle Coriddi of Wexner Medical Center at the Ohio State University, Columbus.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal Editor-in-Chief Dr Foad Nahai also commented on the findings. ‘This study shows that women are indeed very satisfied and have an improved quality of life following breast augmentation,’ she said. ‘Moreover, the findings on higher sexual and psychosocial well-being after surgery clearly demonstrate that breast augmentation surgery has positive effects extending beyond improvements in breast appearance.’
The key, of course, is to enter into any cosmetic procedure for the right reasons, and with realistic expectations. If surgery means holding on to a job or boyfriend, for example, it’s time to stop and think again.
