The Right & Wrong Reasons For Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery should always be for your own self enhancement, after all, this is elective surgery. While it is true that studies have shown that cosmetic surgery can improve self esteem, you must have a realistic self image to begin with. For instance, some patients have wanted that nose job since they were teens, a flaw has always bothered them, and now they want to correct it. A patient may want to reduce wrinkles with laser resurfacing later in life. These are examples of healthy motivations for surgery. Particularly if the patient has a strong sense of self to begin with, and this one aspect of his or her appearance is eroding self esteem.

Other patients my just want a boost; they feel good about themselves but after doing their research  have concluded a procedure would make them feel even better about themselves. For instance, a woman may want breast augmentation of one or two sizes to further enhance her beauty, or a breast reduction because of back and neck pain. A man may want a brow lift to look a bit younger. These too are realistic and healthy reasons for seeking elective surgery. Realistic expectations are the core of a healthy decision making process.

On the other hand, there are reasons, you may not want to seek cosmetic surgery. If you are in the middle of a crisis you may need to heal emotionally before you consider cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery is never an answer to emotional turmoil. In fact, it is best to have a healthy mental outlook if you want cosmetic surgery.

One of the psychological disorders that may drive an inappropriate candidate for surgery into a cosmetic surgeon’s office is Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This is classed as an anxiety disorder by psychologists. People with BDD have obsessive thoughts about their bodies, which cause compulsive behavior. In BDD, the person focuses on small flaws that are not even perceptible to other people. These people believe that they are ugly because of one or more flaws that, in their perception, are major disfigurements. People with BDD tend to act compulsively often grooming for hours in an attempt to hide these flaws, or avoiding mirrors all together. They may become unable to leave their homes due to shame and embarrassment about these perceived flaws. BDD may cause a person to seek cosmetic procedures. A 2010 study, however, found that people with BDD did not have relief from their symptoms after cosmetic surgery. In actuality, only 2 percent of people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder who underwent cosmetic procedures had improved self esteem, less obsessive thinking and compulsive behavior in relation to their bodies. People with BDD can become cosmetic surgery “addicts” putting their health at risk.

Ethical assessment and thorough consultations are assured at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, and I am careful to screen my patients appropriately. I want my Arkansas cosmetic surgery patients, breast augmentation patients, or SmartLift face lift patients to be seeking surgery for the right reasons.

Call the front desk for your consultation with me (501) 227-0707