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The "First Look": Individuals' Initial Experiences of Viewing Their Appearance Following Craniofacial Surgery
Debora Blaso1, Laura Shepherd2, Nicola M Stock1
1Centre for Appearance Research, University of the West of England, Bristol.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|September 30, 2025
Summary
Patients undergoing craniofacial surgery often experience distress viewing their new appearance. Greater preparedness for the "first look" after surgery is linked to better outcomes and satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychosocial Health
- Craniofacial Medicine
Background:
- Elective surgeries for facial appearance are common in craniofacial conditions.
- Existing research shows mixed results regarding psychosocial benefits versus patient distress after surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patient experiences of viewing their appearance for the first time after craniofacial surgery.
- To identify factors influencing patient emotional responses and satisfaction with immediate postsurgical results.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study using an adapted online questionnaire.
- Retrospective data collected from 31 adults with diverse craniofacial conditions.
- Analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and conventional content analysis.
Main Results:
- 71% of participants worried about their initial postsurgical appearance.
- Moderate average distress and satisfaction, with significant individual variability.
- Nearly 50% felt more distressed than expected; many perceived their appearance as worse than imagined.
- Negative emotions were common during the
- first look.
- Higher preparedness correlated with relief and initial satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Patient psychosocial experiences during the immediate postsurgical phase are critical.
- Improved preparation and support for the initial self-viewing experience are essential for craniofacial teams.
- Addressing patient expectations and emotional responses can enhance overall surgical outcomes.
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