Men and women have far more options today to address less-than-perfect physical features. The reasons that each of our patients has for seeking cosmetic surgery are unique to their situation, and we applaud them for taking steps to improve something about themselves that has not brought them full satisfaction. One of the questions that may keep some people from making their move toward cosmetic plastic surgery is what they think this change will do for them. According to research, it can do quite a bit.
THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE
Most of us don’t love math. However, we do appreciate the cold hard facts that come from stats and measures. Research conducted on the correlation between cosmetic plastic surgery and happiness, for instance, enables many prospective patients to feel more empowered in their goals. A few particular studies stand out.
Dr. Neil Sadick, a researcher at Cornell University, posed the question “Do patients feel an improved sense of well-being after cosmetic procedures?” He posed this question across three different studies. One involved 110 women and the mastopexy procedure, or breast lift surgery. In the months following their procedures, 95% of these women expressed significant improvement in their general happiness and sense of confidence. Another of Dr. Sadick’s studies was broader, encompassing a variety of cosmetic procedures. Again, a large percentage of his 110 patients expressed positive changes had occurred in their sex lives and in their relationships as a whole, leading to generally greater happiness. His third study of 2008 concluded that most patients who undergo cosmetic surgery experienced a dramatic decrease in anxiety, and a dramatic increase in feelings of satisfaction and, interestingly, independence.
A more recent study, conducted in 2013 and published in Clinical Psychological Science, found that, 12 months after cosmetic surgery, treated patients felt generally more satisfied with their appearance as a whole, not just the area they had enhanced with surgery. These patients, like Dr. Sadick’s, reported less anxiety and greater confidence, as well.
It’s Still about You . . .
No matter what these findings tell us, there is still the matter of realistic expectations. Cosmetic surgery is about you and your goals. Throughout a number of studies, researchers have also discovered that the patients who have ultra-high expectations about plastic surgery are the same ones that tend to report dissatisfaction with their procedure.
Is plastic surgery right for you? We can help you answer that question. Schedule a visit with us to discuss your wishes.
