Psychological Impact of Breast Augmentation Surgery
Psychological Effects of Breast Surgery
There are many other reasons people request breast surgery. It is important you understand how the psychology of breast surgery may impact your satisfaction with surgery. Our Self Image and Breast Surgery Outcome While breast surgery may improve self esteem, the best candidates for breast surgery are those people who already have high self-esteem and seek breast surgery for some of the other reasons listed above. We all want to look and feel our best, but it is important to have a healthy self-image prior to the procedure. If a woman's breast needs to be removed because of cancer, this can dramatically impact her sense of self confidence. Many women find not having breasts overwhelming. In cases like this, having breast surgery can do wonders for the psyche, improving women's joy, confidence and outlook on life following their battle against chronic disease. For women whose breasts are not symmetrical, or for those with deformities of the breast, having surgery can also bolster self-esteem. The results of surgery may be life changing. Women who feel their breasts are too small that have surgery can also benefit psychologically from surgery. You will not however, benefit from surgery if you think breast augmentation is the panacea or "cure all" for all that is wrong in your life. Most plastic surgeons spend a good deal of time evaluating patients to decide whether they are good candidates for surgery. If you have deep-seated emotional or psychological problems, you should have them resolved before having surgery. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder or other problems where they see their bodies as flawed when they are not, may also not be good candidates for surgery. Breast augmentation surgery should be a choice you make on a personal level, not from an emotional vantage. If you are not certain about your expectations from surgery, you might benefit from seeking counseling before you have surgery. A trained therapist can work with you to evaluate your goals and help you decide whether surgery is a good choice for you. Signs that Breast Surgery Might Not be Right for You
Breast Surgery in the Media The articles typically discuss the physical risks of surgery, but emotional risks are rarely talked about. Of the magazines that discussed emotional health, only 18% suggest that surgery could negatively affect one's emotional well-being. Meanwhile, the possible emotional health benefits are overstated, despite the fact that the such benefits of cosmetic surgery have not been scientifically proven. In fact 59% of the articles specifically linked negative pre-surgery emotional health with positive post-surgery indicators. Also of concern is the fact that there are a disproportionate number of articles about cosmetic surgery for young women (age 19-34), and surgery is often presented casually alongside less invasive self-image boosters such as diets, cosmetics and fashion advice. And even though cosmetic surgery should be something a woman chooses to do for herself, male opinions on attractiveness are frequently used as justifications in these articles: 29% discussed the impact of women's cosmetic surgery on men. Questions To Ask Before Surgery
After answering these questions, and reviewing them with your doctor, you will become much clearer about whether breast surgery is a good choice for you psychologically and emotionally. A happy, healthy and emotionally grounded person usually becomes a good candidate for surgery. Related Articles
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