The Psychology behind Plastic Surgery: Can it Really Make you Happier?

We’ve all heard about countless celebrities who get cosmetic plastic surgery as part of the “Hollywood” culture, but what about all of us?

In my own life, I’ve known many people who’ve had cosmetic plastic surgery for one reason or another. To fix the nose they’ve hated since grade school, to make their cup size one bigger, or to tighten their tummy after giving birth.

Let’s face it: It’s totally normal to want to ‘fix’ things about ourselves, so that when we look in the mirror we can feel happy about the whole package.

Self-esteem comes from inner confidence, positive self-worth, and is influenced by our security during our upbringing. It can’t be ‘fixed’ with a single procedure. Are you expecting other people to compliment you or like you more after the surgery?

Plastic surgery is a serious procedure and as we all know, shouldn’t be undertaken without a lot of thought and serious consideration. The psychological change of saying goodbye to a body part you were given at birth is very large. What if you get the surgery and nothing emotional changes? What if you don’t like the result of the surgery?

In my experience as a psychotherapist and relationship expert, I’ve counseled so many men and women who have had plastic surgery, only to be disappointed with the results. Many of them have indicated that they truly thought that fixing that ‘one’ body part would make them happy. But plastic surgery can be addictive: similar to tattoos. Once you’ve gone through one procedure, you spend time thinking, wishing, and itching for the next one.

If you’re thinking of having plastic surgery, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself:

a) What are my Expectations? Do I think I will be prettier, more popular, or have an easier time getting a date? If so, my best advice is to re-think plastic surgery. In my opinion, the most attractive quality on a first date is confidence, and that comes from within.

b) Have I Considered All Alternatives? What are some alternative methods I could take before the surgical approach? If you’re considering liposuction, have you made a reasonable effort to lose weight the natural way through diet and exercise? If you’re considering facial surgery, have you tried cosmetic acupuncture, creams, or botox?

c) See a Psychologist or Psychotherapist: A great therapist will help you to pull back the layers to understand where your issues (if any) lie.

Talking these issues out with a psychotherapist will also help prevent you from making any rash decisions you might regret: ie: Getting breast implants after your ex-boyfriend cheats.