Can cosmetic procedures build confidence and self-esteem?

What is self-confidence and how can you ‘build it’?

Perceptions and events that build confidence often involve a number of aspects of a person’s life – aspects and events which interact to bring a person self-esteem and confidence across different situations.  One key piece of confidence in our highly-visual worlds is appearance. Appearance and self-esteem are, for most people, contributing factors to social and relationship confidence levels. With the rise of selfies, social media and dating apps – confidence and appearance have never been so in the ‘public eye’.

APPEARANCE AND SELF-ESTEEM, FOR MOST PEOPLE, HAVE BEEN STRONGLY LINKED.  IF A PERSON FEELS THEIR BEST THEY OFTEN LOOK THEIR BEST AND VICE VERSA.

So does improving your LOOKS improve your confidence? For most people, the answer is YES.

Sometimes physical features that are out of balance or highly disproportionate, or not as attractive as they used to be, can leave a patient feeling out of balance and emotionally sensitive about their appearance.

Patients and Surgeons alike note significant positive changes in patient confidence levels after recovery from cosmetic procedures that help a patient to augment or refine and reshape a feature that had been a long-term concern or a confidence deterrent.

Research about Confidence and Plastic Surgery or Cosmetic Enhancements

A European study published by the Journal of Clinical Psychological Science points to research showing that post-operative cosmetic surgery patients enjoy a higher level of self-confidence than pre-surgery; indicating that there are clear psychological benefits to cosmetic plastic surgery.

This is something we can confirm in our own Surgical Consultations – patients seeking surgical and non-surgical improvements to their appearance invariably feel that enhancing or correcting particular physical characteristics will help to improve their self-image.

Positive self image = confidence

In fact, some patients report avoiding certain activities and situations because of concerns about their appearance, which can be very dispiriting. And overwhelmingly, after surgery, patients report a much higher sense of body confidence and general well-being.

THE NEED FOR BALANCED AND REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS ABOUT COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES

Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery can bring amazing results that can help increase physique or facial feature harmony, reduce or minimise the signs of ageing, and correct tissue damage and deformities.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, HOWEVER, TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT RESULTS YOU ARE WANTING TO ACHIEVE FROM A COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURE.

It is crucial that you have listened to and understood information about the procedure(s) you are considering, including recommended pre-op preparation and healing protocols. This includes knowing what to expect during the first few weeks – or months – after a procedure (some complications are common and will need management, but there are other risks to Surgery and you should consider them all). Understandings also include how to get the best outcomes (for instance, what garments you need to wear and how to best minimise your scars).

For most patients, the initial surgery and recovery period can be a bit like an emotional ‘roller-coaster’ ride of self-questioning – particularly during the acute healing phrases of your procedure.

This is, fortunately, typically followed by long-term delight with your surgery results after the healing journey – so long as you and your Surgeon have had great communication and so long as what you are expecting from surgery IS actually attainable from the Surgery procedure.

For “worth it” ratings, visit some of the online Forums like Realself where patients discuss their results. Send an enquiry form for more information.

Getting confidence-building results all about communication really – because there are some choices you will be asked to make (such as implant size for augmentation or how you want your nose reshaped for a Rhinoplasty) and having realistic expectations.

SURGERY IS NOT A SOLUTION FOR OTHER LIFESTYLE CONCERNS

Surgical interventions can help you feel better about yourself if your expectations are reasonable, and if you “have the right surgery for the right reasons at the right time by the right Surgeon.”  But Surgery will not solve other problems – nor will it make you look like – or be as famous as – your favourite actor or singer!

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO KNOW? BECAUSE AS MANY AS 12% OR MORE PEOPLE MAY HAVE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS ABOUT SURGICAL PROCEDURES.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has research suggesting that as many as 12% of post-surgical candidates had unreasonable hopes for their surgery, thus resulting in less positive mental outcomes.

However, provided you are fully aware of what surgery can potentially offer, plastic & cosmetic surgery can help increase your self-confidence by helping to improve those aspects of your appearance that you are extremely unhappy with and which negatively impact your enjoyment of certain activities.

Indeed, the same study consulted with patients prior to surgery and at three and twelve months post-operatively, and found that the patients who had opted for surgery and had reasonable expectations, felt “healthier, less anxious, and had more self-esteem.

Make the choice for yourself

SURGERY IS A VERY PERSONAL DECISION

Many celebrities are very outspoken about the positive effect that opting for cosmetic plastic surgery has made on their lives. Trainer and fitness personality Jillian Michaels was picked on in school for her nose and decided to have rhinoplasty as an adult to feel better about herself. She says, “Not to say you should let your physicality define you, but there are some things that can make people feel really insecure. So, if there is something you want to fix that allows you to feel a little bit more confident, I support it.”

CHOOSE YOUR SURGEON CAREFULLY – PLASTIC SURGEONS ARE OFTEN THE MOST EXPERIENCED OR HIGHLY TRAINED FOR COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE PROCEDURES

In summary, plastic surgery is a very personal choice that can positively impact a person’s confidence and increase their quality of life.

Select your Surgeon carefully and make sure that you are aware of the limits of what is possible to achieve so that you are not disappointed by expectations that are not realistic.

Our team of accredited and qualified plastic surgeons are happy to hear your preferences and help to guide your expectations so that likely accomplishments are clear.

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