Patient expectations, body image and cosmetic surgery
Body image and emotional wellbeing have been the focus of much media coverage at the moment as Mental Health Awareness Week has just taken place in the UK. In a recent survey carried out by the Mental Health Foundation to support awareness, they focused on the undeniable impact that how we think and feel about our appearance has a profound impact on our mental health.
Some startling and troubling statistics were released; one-third of respondents said they had felt anxious or depressed about their body image at some point in their lives. One in eight of us has even experienced suicidal thoughts as a result.
The continued growth in the cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetics industry is an indication that men and women will often seek help to change something about themselves that might have been bothering them for many years. Plastic surgery can be a positive, life-changing decision that greatly enhances quality of life, as long as it is made for the right reasons and the patient has realistic expectations about what can be achieved and the impact that surgery will have on them.
Why do you want to undergo cosmetic surgery?
There are many reasons why people want to undergo cosmetic surgery, whether that’s to look younger and more dynamic, to change a feature that they have never liked, or to reverse changes to their appearance due to weight gain or loss or pregnancy. Cosmetic surgery is elective which means it’s not medically necessary and so your reasons for undergoing this procedure will be very personal.
Therefore, it is important to realise that cosmetic surgery will not solve personal problems, although it should hopefully give you greater self-confidence and boost self-esteem. The ideal candidate for cosmetic surgery is a well-motivated individual who has considered and researched this decision for a long time.
Patients that are doing it to ‘please’ another person in their life or who are going through a major life change and are looking for a boost are generally not in the right place to make this decision. Being honest about your motivations is important as you will have to communicate these to your cosmetic surgeon. What are your expectations from cosmetic surgery? Are they realistic?
A key part of your cosmetic surgery consultation with Mr Alan Park is establishing patient expectations from cosmetic surgery and Mr Park may advise you that it is not the appropriate time for you to undergo surgery at this point. To arrange a consultation with Mr Park, call 01926 436341.
