The Emotional Changes With Plastic Surgery
If you’re considering changing your appearance through a surgical procedure, you may not be aware of the possible emotional changes with plastic surgery.
There’s no need to worry. This is completely normal.
Even so, it’s best to go into your procedure with the understanding that the operation could temporarily stir up some emotions. Here’s what you might expect.
There Could Be an Adjustment Period
Whether you’re having a Brazilian Butt Lift, a tummy tuck, or a facelift, what you’ll see in the mirror after the procedure will be different from what you’ve always known. And getting used to this can take some time.
In some cases, the adjustment period might be minimal. Certain people can roll with the punches more easily than others and will be able to embrace the changes quickly. For example, if you’ve elected rhinoplasty surgery because you’ve disliked the appearance of your nose for a long time, you may be a bit startled to see your reflection without that imperfection. On the other hand, it may come as a tremendous relief that your nose finally has the appearance you’ve long desired. It’ll depend to some degree on your natural disposition.
Another factor that will lend to the likelihood of an adjustment period is whether the surgery is elective and how major the results are. A patient coming in for liposuction to get rid of some pesky areas of fat is going to have a different emotional response than one having reconstructive surgery after dealing with breast cancer.
You May Experience an Identity Shift
Going to sleep one way and waking up another can be jarring to your identity. And not just for the patient. This is particularly the case for those electing to have body contouring surgery after massive weight loss.
In these cases, the patients have long identified with moving through life in a bigger body that may have gone largely unnoticed. Once they lose a lot of weight after a gastric bypass or GLP-1 medications, they need a body contouring procedure to get rid of the excess skin.
The result?
An entirely different body that may be getting attention. This can be difficult for the patient if they’ve grown accustomed to going unnoticed. What’s more, it can be difficult if there’s a spouse or partner who’s threatened by this new attention.
Waiting for Results to Show Can Be a Challenge
Of course, when we say that patients go to sleep looking one way and waking up another, there’s the recovery process to consider as well.
For example, you will definitely look different after a facelift. But what you see immediately after the procedure may leave you discouraged. Instead of the ‘after image’ you have in your head, you’ll more than likely look swollen and bruised with visible scars around your ears and hairline. That’s because there’s the necessary recovery time.
Some patients experience negative emotions around the disappointment of having to wait. Especially if they haven’t been fully briefed on the entire procedure and not allowed the chance to prepare themselves emotionally. That’s why it’s so important that you insist on a board-certified plastic surgeon who will not go ahead with the procedure until he or she feels confident that you know what to expect.
When you work with a highly qualified and skilled surgeon, you’ll have a better grasp on the reality of what to expect. In addition, in cases where the healing is longer and more intense, you’ll have made provisions to stay home and give your body (and your mind) time to recover.
The Emotional Changes With Plastic Surgery Aren’t Permanent
Yes, recovering from plastic surgery requires physical healing. But depending on several factors, it can be an emotional process too.
Just know that the emotional changes with plastic surgery are normal and won’t last forever. You just need to be patient with yourself and allow your mind time to catch up with your body. It will.
In the meantime, if you’re ready to start exploring different plastic surgery options, contact us today. We’ll ensure that you know what to expect every step of the way.
