Cosmetic Surgery and Self Esteem – What it Can (and can’t) Do

If you have a particular feature that you feel sticks out in all the wrong ways or live with a general dissatisfaction with your appearance, it can take a real toll on your self-esteem. Plastic surgery is a popular solution because it fixes cosmetic flaws, allowing you to change what you don’t like about yourself.

Does this actually lead to a boost in self-esteem? According to a recent study, it often does. A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania uncovered that the majority of cosmetic surgery patients felt an increase in their emotional well-being after surgery.

With 87 percent of the patients reporting a boost to their overall body image and confidence, it seems that cosmetic surgery can potentially be a way to feel better about oneself. Yet it’s important to consider all the pros and cons of surgery first, as it can’t fix everything.

What it can do

Physical appearance can have a profound effect on a person’s relationship with the world around them. For those who wish to change a specific body part, fight the signs of aging, or shed excess skin after natural weight loss, plastic surgery can be a good option.

Lifestyle can have something to do with this. For example, Australian women who spend a lot of time on the beach may be more inclined to seek out more information about breast augmentation Sydney, while women in youth-obsessed Los Angeles may be turning to Botox.

Procedures like these allow people to take pride in their appearance, which can boost self-esteem and give them a more positive daily outlook. This confidence can translate into other sectors of daily life, such as working up the nerve to start a new relationship or switch careers.

What it cannot do

Although plastic surgery can change parts of the face or body that you’re unhappy with, it’s not a cure-all for low self-esteem. Surgery won’t fix your relationship or reduce stress. It should always be about the patient rather than a way to satisfy your partner, so always be sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons.

It’s also important to realize that plastic surgery comes with all the risks of any medical procedure, and can involve a rough recovery for some patients. It won’t automatically lead to a promotion or finding a mate, but it may give you the boost in confidence you need to work on these goals more proactively.

The Bottom Line

There are certainly a number of benefits to plastic surgery, with the majority of patients walking away satisfied with their new features. Cosmetic surgery can be a way to change your attitude and lift your confidence, by giving you a new look to work with.

Yet at the same time, it can be detrimental to those who have unrealistic expectations, so it’s always important to ask yourself what your real motivation is before going in for your consultation. In the end, it can make you feel better about yourself but it won’t make you into a different person.