In a world dominated by social media, it is common for people to compare themselves to one another. This leads to negative perceptions of one’s body. Plastic surgery is one potential solution to this problem. In fact, several studies have identified a correlation between plastic surgery and improved body image.
What Influences Body Image?
Body image is your personal view of your own body. This includes not only your perception of your weight, shape, and height but also your physical experience in your body.
There are a variety of factors that influence your body image, and they change over time. Often, one’s peers, family, culture, media, and trauma have profound effects on how their body is perceived, creating an image that does not necessarily align with the truth.
A negative body image restricts personal growth and can lead to unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and self-consciousness.
Potential Benefits of Plastic Surgery
While it may be true that plastic surgery procedures are focused on improving aesthetics, this is not the only benefit.
Improved Mental Health
Improving your physical appearance can help you feel better about yourself. You likely see yourself in the mirror more than once a day, so try to imagine a better feeling than loving the person you see being reflected.
A positive image of yourself can lead to a confidence you have not experienced in a while, or possibly ever. This confidence in your appearance changes how you interact and socialize with others, leading to positive impacts at work or in personal relationships. In other words, the mental health benefits of a cosmetic procedure can be life-changing and help you overcome feelings of shame and doubt.
However, it is important to note that plastic surgery is not a solution for mental health issues. If you are struggling with low self-esteem, you should address this before considering a cosmetic procedure. These surgeries can improve your appearance and address insecurities, but they are not a substitute for other methods of improving your mental health.
Improved Physical Health
Certain plastic surgery procedures are meant to improve the physical health of patients. For instance, breast reductions remove weight from tissue and fat that can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain. Skin cancer surgery removes cancerous tissue that will otherwise harm your chances of survival. Reconstructive surgeries allow patients who experience abnormalities from injury, disease, or birth defects to improve their bodily function.
The healthier you are, the more you trust yourself and your appearance.
Even procedures that do not directly improve your health can give you an incentive to live a healthier lifestyle. For example, to preserve the results of an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), patients need to maintain a healthy weight.
Consult Our Professionals
Now that you understand how plastic surgery and body image relate, you may begin to wonder whether there is an option for you. At Hess & Sandeen, we offer a variety of procedures that can address your cosmetic concerns and help improve your self-esteem.
