Does Cosmetic Surgery Help Depression?

I am a fully qualified Life Coach and have written about depression and self esteem for more than 20 years. During this time, I have helped many people feel better about their appearance. I have written this to help you if you are considering cosmetic surgery and wondering “Does cosmetic surgery cure depression?”

Many seek cosmetic surgery to help them feel better about themselves. Does cosmetic surgery cure depression? The answer is maybe, that depends on your reasons for wanting it. Hair transplants, botox and facial surgery show that many want to look younger or more attractive, but results may not match expectations.

In my experience, much unhappiness and, in some cases depression, can come from poor body image or a problem with one’s appearance. If you are considering cosmetic surgery as a possible solution to feel better about yourself, then there are several important things to think about before going ahead with this giant step.

The Role of Appearance in Depression

People battle depression for many reasons. One of the most common reasons is dissatisfaction with one’s personal appearance. While looks aren’t everything and an obsession with our appearance can become a mental disorder in and of itself, there’s an argument to be made that cosmetic surgeries play a role in treating depression.

Before continuing, we should mention that problems with appearance are either real, as in the case of deformity or disability, or imagined. When problems with appearance are imagined, a person may feel they are ugly, overweight, or unattractive in some way.

There are many reasons why a person may feel unattractive or ugly, the most common might be because of pressure in society fro media and others to look a certain way. This can be a real problem for women, who compare themselves to others and to the famous who are slim, attractive and young. It is a very high standard, and it easy to understand why so many women fall into this trap. As we might imagine, self esteem and confidence can easily suffer.

It is not only women, of course, but it would appear that the major problems associated with poor body image, which cause depression, and cause them to consider cosmetic surgery as a solution, is much more common in women. According to the Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance about 90% of these procedures in the US are performed on women.

Some studies have shown that having cosmetic surgery can actually make you happier and less depressed. However, other studies suggest the opposite. Those with depression should discuss their situation with a medical professional before scheduling any cosmetic surgery procedures.

Cosmetic Surgery Statistics

Year	Statistic	Where	Increase
2018*	18 Million*	USA	2% over 2018*
2017	17.5 million cosmetic procedures	USA	2% over 2016
Since 2000	minimally invasive cosmetic procedures	USA	200%

Will Plastic Surgery Make You Happier?

If you’re battling depression and think cosmetic surgery will make you feel better and happier, it’s advised to have a surgeon perform a medical assessment. It’s important to consult with a cosmetic surgeon since he or she will be able to offer their objective assessment of what you’re looking to improve and why.

You should discuss what procedure can be done to achieve the results you want. Renowned surgeons like Dr. Binder of Beverly Hills make appropriate assessments that address the patient’s concerns. They will tell you whether or not the desired results are possible, as well as take your existing condition into consideration. The cosmetic surgeon you meet with may also want to speak with your psychiatrist or any other mental health professional with knowledge about your condition. This will help the surgeon determine whether or not the surgery is a healthy way to make you feel better about yourself.

Be aware that after consulting experts in cosmetic surgery and your psychiatrist or therapist, the decision is completely yours. Own it and make sure after you get the information you need, and think carefully about the reasons why you are seeking surgery and what you expect to get out of it. The more realistic you are, the more likely that any cosmetic surgery will actually help if you suffer from depression.

Does Plastic Surgery Cure Depression?

It’s important to discover the reasons for your depression before you have cosmetic surgery. Recent studies, such as that below, have shown that having cosmetic surgery may help those struggling with depression.

“Cosmetic surgery produces positive psychological benefits by significantly improving quality-of-life outcomes that persist long term, without adversely affecting social support and ways of coping.”

Rankin, Borah, Perry, Wey. Quality-of-life outcomes after cosmetic surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 1998 view article

This is especially true if one of the reasons for your depression has something to do with your physical appearance. If this is the case, having cosmetic surgery may be beneficial. It’s also important to make sure you are realistic about what to expect after the procedure.

Procedures that are done to restore your appearance are easier to adjust to than procedures that are done to change your appearance. For example, if your face has aged and you want a face lift to tighten your skin and improve your wrinkles, the procedure may restore your appearance and bring it back to what it looked like a few years ago. However, if you want to see a big change in your body by having liposuction, a tummy tuck, and other procedures because you are overweight, you may not be satisfied after the procedure.

Is Cosmetic Surgery a Good Idea?

There are some studies that suggest plastic surgery is helpful psychologically such as this study which states that most patients do get psychological benefits from the cosmetic surgery, but there is always a risk that some patients may have a negative outcome.

According to the Encyclopedia of Body Image and Human Appearance, many patients who get face lifts appear to be suffering from depression before any cosmetic surgery. They also show symptoms of anxiety and other disorders. After the surgery, these patients feel more positive psychologically, so there may be some evidence here that surgery can help with depression.

The same source above also connects issues of body image with depression and so, if cosmetic surgery can help with body image it can also help ease depression.

When Cosmetic Surgery is Not a Good Idea

What are the Disadvantages of Cosmetic Surgery if you Have Depression?

If you are severely depressed or your surgeon discovers that your depression may be worsened by having cosmetic surgery, it’s not advised. Sometimes depression can cloud your mind and not allow you to think straight. Sometimes anesthesia and the pain after cosmetic surgery can make depression worse.

Some people have a psychiatric disorder called body dysmorphic disorder where they’re never satisfied with the appearance of their bodies, even after cosmetic interventions. Many times, however, a cosmetic surgery procedure will lead to improved confidence, enhanced self-esteem and a better mood overall.

According to this article on Flawless.org, there are some reasons to be cautious about trusting that cosmetic surgery will help with depression. This is because there is always the possibility that you may not be able to adjust to the change in your appearance, even if it is a positive change. At least for a while, you may even suffer from worse depression after surgery. In addition to this, your surgery may not be successful, a small but potential risk.

It’s better to be cautious and safe when thinking of having cosmetic surgery if you’re battling depression. A reputable cosmetic surgeon will address your concerns and help you with an assessment. But don’t forget to consult your therapist or psychiatrist about the effects cosmetic surgery may have on your self esteem, body image and whether it is likely to have a positive impact on your depression.

Whether you decide to go ahead with surgery to help yourself feel better about yourself and to get over depression, I hope this article has been helpful. I hope it has opened your eyes to the things you should consider before taking this step.