Can Cosmetic Surgery Improve your Quality of Life?

There are innumerable reasons why men and women may seek cosmetic plastic surgery. Many of those who consider improving a particular physical characteristic, such as the size or shape of their nose, continually procrastinate. Others move ahead with their elected procedure, having a sense that they will feel better about their appearance. Rarely are patients told that cosmetic plastic surgery will improve their life or their relationships. Why? Because it is not always the case, and we are seeing both sides of this question answered by research.

The Positive Outcomes of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

We see the positive outcomes of plastic surgery on a routine basis, and it brings us joy to hear how our patients are renewed in the area of self-confidence. Our personal experience reflects findings from various research studies. Two, conducted by Dr. Neil Sadick in 2008, investigated both surgical cosmetic treatments and non-surgical procedures. The findings were similar across the board.

• 95% of patients who underwent breast lift surgery reported both physical and psychological improvements after their procedure.
• A large percentage of patients who were treated with cosmetic surgery of one kind or another reported significant improvement in general quality of life 6 months post-surgery. Specific areas of improvement included relationships, social interactions, and sex.
• A final study by Dr. Sadick found that patients who underwent facial plastic surgery felt significantly more satisfied with their appearance, and also felt less anxious and more independent.

An Interesting and Important Point

One of the aspects of plastic surgery that is discussed at length is expectations. When you look at the research findings, you could assume that every person who changes an aspect of his or her appearance would gain greater happiness in general. This is not necessarily true, and older research confirms this point.

A mid-90s study, Physical attractiveness and subjective well-being, investigated the how and why of improved psychological well-being after plastic surgery. What researchers found was that expectations really do matter. They looked at “target happiness” based on appearance, and found that it is not beauty, per se, that improves happiness, but our own unique perception of our own attractiveness. Greater beauty does not translate into more happiness, on average. Not all participants in this study would be deemed “attractive” by societal standards; but by their own standards, if they felt attractive, they enjoyed a greater sense of happiness overall.

The takeaway? Cosmetic plastic surgery, when approached with realistic expectations and an open mind, can improve your physical appearance and, as a result, your life. We are happy to speak with you about your esthetic goals. Give our office a call!

Posted in Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgery Guide on June 15th, 2016

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