The psychology of cosmetic surgery is an important aspect of the aesthetic medical industry, which rarely receives adequate attention. Sure, many women are drawn to cosmetic surgery, but why? The vast numbers of women who undergo breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift procedures every year are surely motivated by more than superficial physical criteria. Indeed, many women who choose cosmetic breast surgery have common internal motivating factors and some even experience external motivations which contribute to their choice of proceeding with surgery.
This resource section deals with the mindbody aspects of aesthetic surgery. Please enjoy are topical articles below, which expand on the philosophy that plastic surgery is primarily a psychoemotional therapy for many patients.
Understanding the Psychology of Cosmetic Surgery
People have 2 components to their minds: the conscious mind and the subconscious mind (sometimes called the unconscious). Women might be aware of conscious issues they have with their bodies and with their breasts, in particular. However, they are probably not aware how these issues subconsciously affect them, their personalities and their social interactions with the world around them. Truly bothersome subconscious issues, which are repressed, can also be the cause of numerous health problems from back pain to headaches, stomach discomfort to ulcers, IBS to fibromyalgia. All these conditions can be common psychosomatic expressions of deeply troubling emotional issues. Although many women know that they have negative feelings towards their breasts, some can not imagine just how emotionally painful these issues have become, because their subconscious minds repress the pain. This is the causation behind all psychologically-induced pain syndromes and many emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Understand why a plastic surgeon is often called a psychologist with a scalpel.
Psychology of Aesthetic Surgery
Fake breasts might not be organic, but they can dispel many problematic body image issues for women who receive them.
How does one define the best breasts? Preferences vary greatly, so women should consider their surgical choices carefully.
Being flat chested can be great for some women, but a curse for others. Learn about the mindbody effects of having diminutive breasts.
The breast surgery nocebo can cause negative effects to mind or body following a cosmetic procedure.
Plastic surgery addiction is a real illness that causes some patients to undergo an endless procession of risky operations.
Augmentation mammoplasty is a great treatment for some mindbody conditions, but is not perfectly suited for all body image issues.
Appreciating the psychology of small breasts can shed light on why many women choose to undergo surgical enlargement.
Meanwhile, understanding the psychology of large breasts provides a glimpse at the reasons for mammary reduction.
The psychology of plastic surgery is far more important than the physical changes enacted. People primarily undergo aesthetic procedures to address psychoemotional issues.
The psychology of breast ptosis explains the popularity of breast lift techniques.
Plastic surgery and self esteem are inter-related in many ways.
The psychology of breast reduction may or may not be just as important as the physical aspects of making breasts smaller and lighter.
The psychology of breast reconstruction is so crucial to recovering from breast cancer or mastectomy due to some other cause, such as hypertrophic breasts.
Breast implants and psychology seem like odd bedfellows, but research shows that most people undergo breast enlargement to soothe emotional and not physical issues.
Breast implants as therapy can be an effective technique for people who require larger breasts to resolve self-esteem, body image or gender identity concerns.
Cosmetic surgery regrets are common, which is why it is so important to understand the reasons why you might desire an aesthetic operation in the first place. Of all cosmetic procedures, breast implant regrets are some of the most common, as well as some of the most difficult to resolve.
Breast implants and confidence are surely related, as are breast implants and self esteem. Unfortunately, the relationship is not always positive, as some women discover after surgery.
Risks of breast enlargement can affect mind as well as body. This essay uncovers the risks to the psychoemotional self.
Nonsurgical enlargement placebo effect explains why some completely bogus treatments and products are so successful, since they can enact effects due to psychophysiological influence alone.
Read some amazing experiences with breast implants and learn why women decide to pursue body modification, as well as their outcomes.
Why do women get breast implants? Learn about the best and worst reasons for wanting breast augmentation surgery.
Are you too too old for breast implants? Should you have your implants removed due to age?
Psychology of Cosmetic Surgery Effects
Women are generally very body conscious and will try their best to live up to cultural standards of beauty. Society can be demanding and cruel, often making some women feel as if they can never measure up to the accepted ideals of attractiveness and physical perfection displayed in the media. This effect can be experienced exponentially by women who have aged past their youthful years or women who have suffered the physical changes associated with childbirth.
Women often become their own harshest critics, finding flaws and problems all over their bodies. No body part is more sensitive for most women than finding potential aesthetic problems with their breasts. The breasts represent the very symbols of fertility, sexuality, motherhood, desire and femininity, so any perceived problem with her breasts can trouble a woman to no end. Regardless of the problem she sees, whether it is size, shape, feel, symmetry, ptosis or coloration, this physical complaint will severely affect the woman’s body image, self confidence and social interactions.
Learn more about how the mind determines breast aesthetics.
Cosmetic Surgery as a Mindbody Treatment
Cosmetic surgery is an empowering experience, which allows a woman to address deep-held body image issues. Correcting actual or perceived problems with the breasts is a wonderful and obvious result of excellent plastic surgery. However, the fixes which take place in the subconscious emotional mind are the biggest alterations within the woman and greatly outweigh any physical improvements.
Doing something proactive to improve the body is food for the mind and the soul. Looking in the mirror every day and seeing a pleasing body is a rewarding and confidence building experience. Working toward the ideal self is one method of transcending previous limits, fears and self imposed restrictions. This leads to a heightened sense of accomplishment, greater ability to achieve and satisfaction with doing something truly meaningful to oneself. In essence, cosmetic surgery is a highly personal experience, which is part of the noble pursuit of total self improvement.
Read more about fulfilling your plastic surgery expectations.
Psychology of Cosmetic Surgery Considerations
Some women experience internal conflicts or external pressures not to undergo surgery, even though they might greatly desire the physical changes. Many feel, or are made to feel, as if they are being superficial, surface and silly in their quest to improve their bodies. Of course, this is nonsense, since the mind, body and spirit are equally important parts of the self. You can not have a completely unified trinity of self by neglecting to care for any of the three. Feeling satisfaction from improving the body through cosmetic surgery is no more foolish or superficial than eating right or exercising to maintain form and function. We all know that beauty is only skin deep, but a women who is confident that she has done everything to look her best is truly happy and feels beautiful inside and out.
Read more about the right age for breast augmentation.
Importance of Cosmetic Surgery
If cosmetic surgery is your real desire, and your reasons for wanting the operation are justifiable, then you owe it to yourself to learn more about your chosen procedure. Do not talk yourself out of it because of some hidden guilt or feeling of self indulgence. Caring for the body is a normal part of a healthy lifestyle and creating a beautiful anatomy is a praiseworthy pursuit. The body is, after all, the physical representation of our soul and spirit. If we feel beautiful, there is no reason not to become beautiful. Talk to a qualified cosmetic surgeon to see if an aesthetic procedure might just be what you really need to get you out of that emotional funk and into a place of spiritual nirvana. You never know how your life might change, until you try.
We can help you to increase or reduce the size of your breasts safely and without plastic surgery. Our book: Better Breasts Without Surgery teaches you the best practices for increasing and decreasing breast size without the risk, cost or scars of plastic surgery. You can get the book 24 hours a day for help right now.
