Plastic Surgery and Psychology
Around the world, excellent plastic surgeons share similar credentials. So whether you’re seeking the best plastic surgeon in New York or New Delhi, you’ll be investigating your target’s training and certification, track record of results and balance of technical skill and aesthetic sense.
There’s one more characteristic that marks the best plastic surgeons: a thorough understanding of the psychology of cosmetic surgery. Some men and women simply aren’t good candidates due to psychological factors. It takes experience and empathy to identify such a patient and, when needed, to suggest courses of action other than surgery.
A recent article on a health related website provides a good example. An American Society of Plastic Surgeons member, Dr. Liza Wu, co-authored a study of 113 women who had additional cosmetic surgery—including liposuction, facelifts and eyelid surgery—after breast reconstruction. Most patients, who generally said their motivation was to boost their body image, were content with the outcome of surgery, but a full 28% said they did not experience improvement.
It can be difficult for anyone, even a plastic surgeon, to predict how a patient will feel about her looks after surgery, and how those feelings may influence their well being. But surgeons considering a procedure for a patient with a traumatic experience behind them, such as mastectomy, generally ask probing questions. With an open, honest conversation it’s possible to get a feel for the likelihood of patient satisfaction.
Top plastic surgeons also take care in evaluating patients seeking rhinoplasty. Two years ago, a study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that one-third of all patients interested in a nose job showed symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder, or BDD. This mental illness causes people to become obsessed with their appearance to the extent that it interferes with their lives. Dissatisfaction often focuses on a body part such as the nose. Obviously, people with BDD are not good candidates for plastic surgery, and experienced doctors can spot these men and women in the consultation room.
If you visit a plastic surgeon who mentions concerns about your potential satisfaction and mentions psychological factors, it can be tempting to seek another doctor. But whether you decide to do this or not, take our advice and seek counseling to be sure your motivations are sound.
