CONSIDERING COSMETIC SURGERY?
WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION?
by Angela O'Mara
Most people seeking cosmetic surgery either want to look as youthful
as they feel, or want to change something that has bothered them for
years. Whether cosmetic surgery is the right choice is a question that
requires some serious soul-searching and personal examination - both
by you and the doctor who is about to perform your surgery. By closely
evaluating why you want cosmetic surgery, you will ensure a successful
surgical outcome for yourself.
From a physical standpoint,
we are all candidates for anti-ageing surgery as the symptoms of ageing
are inevitable. However, determining whether a person has good intentions
and a healthy emotional outlook is crucial to a doctor when determining
if a patient is appropriate for cosmetic surgery. An ideal candidate
for surgery already has a healthy body image, but simply has the personal
desire to improve upon a specific feature - not the entire body and
mind. Pardon the pun, but a "fine line" exists between the
desire for self-improvement through cosmetic surgery and a vain, unhealthy
preoccupation with appearance. Body image - defined as one's own perception
of physical appearance - can play a significant role in the self-esteem
of many individuals.
Cosmetic surgery has also
been called "surgery of the soul", as improving physical appearance
may have a positive influence on one's self-confidence. This is especially
true in the case of children (and often adults) who are teased about
"Dumbo" ears, or "Pinocchio" noses. However, patients
with extreme levels of body dissatisfaction are not candidates for cosmetic
surgery - as they may never be happy with themselves, regardless of
how much they invest in their outside appearance. In addition, if you're
considering cosmetic surgery because you think it will help a failing
marriage, or help you get the job of your dreams, you're making the
wrong decision.
Although we all have personal
motivations about body image, and prioritise looks and appearance differently,
the desire to look good is not only built within our character, but
has also become a national obsession. Given the millions of dollars
spent on cosmetics, hair care, exercise, clothing, dieting and spas,
cosmetic surgery accounts for just a fraction of appearance-related
expenditures. To some extent, people from all walks of life attribute
much of their success and self-worth on the way they look - and to a
certain extent it is true. Relevant life situations such as education,
employment, health, legal proceedings and romantic encounters are all
influenced by the way we look.
Motivating factors for plastic
surgery are often influenced by a major life episode, such as a career
move. Whether it's an executive jockeying for position among younger
business colleagues, or a worker who wants to correct an undesirable
feature, we are intent on looking good. Therefore, it is no surprise
the number of plastic surgery procedures performed each year increases
dramatically.
In an effort to eliminate
unhappy patients, heightened efforts have been made by surgeons to determine
a patient's true motivation prior to surgery. Through in-depth consultation,
and the use of educational brochures and materials, both doctor and
patient can assess whether or not the procedure of choice is indeed
the right choice after all.
The most important thing
to remember is that cosmetic surgery is an improvement - not complete
perfection. It can improve your image and your self-confidence, but
it is not a cure-all for deep-rooted social or emotional issues. By
exercising a little discretion, both you and your doctor will be satisfied
both physically and emotionally by the results of your surgery.
The above article is reprinted
with permission of Cosmetic
Surgery Magazine and appears in their second issue.
