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Counselling for Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery patients often have very complex motivations, reactions, and psychology.
However, most of them have positive outcomes - in other words, their self-esteem and confidence are enhanced at a reasonable price in dollars and inconvenience.
The recovery may be difficult psychologically for a minority of patients (of course, with our modern techniques, serious complications are less frequent than ever before).
Pre - Operative
Plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeries have an important psychological dimension because of the high value placed on outward appearance in Western society.
Many people who are born with visible deformities or disfigured by accidents later in life develop emotional problems related to social rejection. Other people work in fields such as acting, modeling, media journalism, and even politics, where their employment depends on how they look.
Some people have unrealistic expectations of cosmetic surgery and think that it will solve all their life problems. It is important for anyone considering nonemergency plastic or cosmetic surgery to be realistic about its results.
One type of psychiatric disorder, called body dysmorphic disorder, is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with imaginary or minor flaws in appearance.
Patients with this disorder frequently seek unnecessary plastic surgery.
Post - Operative
Some patients may need follow-up psychotherapy or counseling after plastic or reconstructive surgery.
These patients typically include children whose schooling and social relationships have been affected by birth defects, as well as patients of any age whose deformities or disfigurements were caused by trauma from accidents, war injuries, or violent crime.
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