Depression, Anxiety, Body Dissatisfaction, and Eating Disorders in Plastic Surgery Patients

This study aimed to identify and describe indicators of depression, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and risk of an eating disorder in patients who undergo plastic surgery.

The sample was made up of 90 patients from a private clinic in Lima, Peru, with ages between 20 and 50 years. The participants were asked to answer the Aaron Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Aaron Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Abbreviated and Modified Eating Attitudes Scale (EAT - 26M).

Through data analysis with the SPSS statistical program, it was found that 80% of patients who access plastic surgery are women, and the average age is 32.4 years. Likewise, of the total sample, no anxiety traits have been identified; however, 3.3% present traits of moderate depression, pathological body discomfort, and risk of an eating disorder.

The presurgical psychological evaluation in plastic surgery patients is crucial because it allows for the identification of predisposing factors to mental health problems and proposes support if needed.