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Does cosmetic surgery improve psychosocial wellbeing?
David J Castle1, Roberta J Honigman, Katharine A Phillips
1Mental Health Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC. dcastle@mhri.edu.au
The Medical Journal of Australia
|June 18, 2002
Summary
Individuals seeking cosmetic surgery often experience positive outcomes, though extensive procedures require more psychological adjustment. Unrealistic expectations can lead to dissatisfaction, sometimes linked to body dysmorphic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Growing interest in cosmetic enhancement among both genders.
- Limited rigorous evaluation of cosmetic procedure outcomes.
- Varied patient psychological adjustment to different procedure types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient satisfaction and psychological adjustment following cosmetic enhancement procedures.
- To identify factors influencing satisfaction, such as procedure type and patient expectations.
- To explore the relationship between dissatisfaction and potential psychiatric conditions like body dysmorphic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on cosmetic surgery outcomes.
- Analysis of patient psychological adjustment post-procedure.
- Comparison of adjustment between 'type change' and 'restorative' procedures.
Main Results:
- Most patients report satisfaction with cosmetic procedures.
- Extensive procedures (e.g., rhinoplasty) necessitate greater psychological adjustment than restorative ones (e.g., face-lifts).
- Unrealistic expectations are linked to higher rates of dissatisfaction, irrespective of procedural success.
Conclusions:
- Cosmetic surgery satisfaction is generally high, but psychological adjustment varies by procedure type.
- Managing patient expectations is crucial for positive outcomes.
- A subset of dissatisfied patients may have underlying body dysmorphic disorder, requiring psychiatric consideration.