Will cosmetic surgery actually help my confidence?
In Australia plastic surgery has become commonplace over the past several years, and people are turning to plastic surgeons more and more often now in the hopes of solving their self-esteem issues. Unfortunately, many people do not consider the mental and emotional toll that making a significant change to their bodies can have.
There are instances when plastic surgery can have a positive impact on your self-image, but it is important to be objective when you are deciding whether or not plastic surgery is right for you. This post will cover some of the positive and negative outcomes for people who have had procedures done to help you decide if cosmetic surgery will boost your confidence.
What the Research Says
Because of cosmetic surgery's booming popularity, psychologists have taken a more serious interest in the mental and emotional well-being of post-operative patients.
The American Psychological Association, or APA, conducted an analysis of 37 studies done on people who have had cosmetic procedures. These studies focused on how patients felt and functioned both before and after their surgery.
The research showed mixed results. Overall, many of the participants had positive outcomes, which means that they felt better about their appearance, had greater confidence in themselves and got an overall boost in their quality of life. In fact, one study showed that cosmetic surgery can potentially reduce the symptoms of depression in some people.
However, there were quite a few people who experienced problems adjusting to their new look, and this led to worsening depression, anxiety and social isolation. Many patients underestimate the difficulty of having to spend a significant amount of time recovering, so be sure that you fully understand how your recovery will progress before committing to a procedure. It is also very helpful to have a strong support system in place to keep your spirits up and help you through any difficulties you may experience.
How to Get the Most From Your Cosmetic Procedure
Luckily, all of this research has exposed a common thread between patients who experience the best outcomes post-surgery.
The key factor in all of this research is expectations. Psychologists have found that those with realistic expectations are the most likely to receive the confidence boost they are looking for and experience few, if any, negative feelings.
The Clinical Psychological Science journal has published research that shows that people who have realistic expectations when going under the knife have higher self-esteem, feel healthier overall and experience less anxiety than people who have never had plastic surgery.
Every cosmetic surgeon will do his or her best to help you achieve your goals, but it is also the surgeon's job to keep you grounded in reality so that you can be as happy with your new self as possible.
You should also carefully and honestly consider your emotional state when you are making the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery. In Australia plastic surgery consultations and "cooling-off" periods are part of the process, which can help you make sure that you are in a healthy place mentally before you make a drastic change to your appearance.
Whether you want a Brazilian butt lift, a lip injection or fat reduction, it is important to think through the reasons why you want these procedures. Any change to your appearance should be done because it is what you want and not because of someone else's opinion of you.
If you don't think you can be objective, it is perfectly normal to discuss these things with someone you trust or even with your cosmetic surgeon during your initial consultation.
Will Cosmetic Surgery Actually Help My Confidence?
This is something that you and your cosmetic surgeon must decide together. Remember that changing your outward appearance is usually not going to solve emotional problems or change how a person feels about you, so you must carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if changing your appearance is what you want.
If you're hoping that a Brazilian butt lift will help you feel sexier or that getting rid of some stubborn fat will let you fit into the bikini of your dreams, then there is a good chance that those procedures will give you the happiness and confidence boost you are looking for.
Altering your appearance to better fit the mental image you have of yourself can be a rewarding and confidence-boosting experience as long as you are honest with yourself and keep realistic expectations about what a cosmetic procedure can and cannot do for you.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1851945/
[2] http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-09/crackdown-on-cosmetic-surgery-includes-cooling-off-periods/7394774
[3] http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep05/surgery.aspx
[4] http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/plastic-surgery-boosts-happiness-unreasonable-expectations-article-1.1286078
