Plastic surgery can positively impact self-esteem, but those with low self-esteem may become dependent on multiple procedures. Cosmetic surgery can increase self-esteem, but it’s important to recognize that self-esteem usually doesn’t come from surgery alone. Teens seeking plastic surgery should be cautious, as their bodies are still developing.
There are several possible connections between plastic surgery and self-esteem. Some are good, while others can be more harmful, depending on the individual’s personality and goals for their body. One of the most common connections between plastic surgery and self-esteem is that people often report feeling better about themselves after having surgery and experience an increase in the levels of self-esteem they experience. On the flip side, however, it’s possible that people with low self-esteem are more likely to seek out cosmetic surgery as a way to fix their perceived flaws, which may not even need to be corrected; in some cases this can turn into a sort of dependency that results in multiple procedures.
Plastic surgery allows people to change their appearance; common procedures include face lifts, liposuction or breast augmentation, just to name a few. Rhinoplasty, to straighten or reduce the size of an individual’s nose, is another common surgical procedure. Surgeries performed simply for a cosmetic reason are often referred to as cosmetic surgery rather than plastic surgery, as plastic surgery can encompass other types such as reconstructive surgery after an injury or burn, for example. This type of intervention is often related to an increase in self-esteem.
In general, plastic surgery and self-esteem are positively correlated, meaning people who have undergone elective cosmetic procedures often report higher levels of self-esteem following the procedure. This can be a slippery slope, however, because some people will start to sense additional problems or areas to be fixed and become obsessed with continuing to get plastic surgery. People with really low self-esteem may find that no amount of plastic surgery makes them feel better about themselves, and may find that talk therapy with a psychologist may be more helpful.
This is because, as mentioned above, some people with very low self-esteem are more likely to have plastic surgery. Teens in particular are now getting plastic surgery more and more frequently, hoping it will make them more suitable for their peers. Some plastic surgeons will refuse to perform procedures on teenagers, because their bodies haven’t fully developed and are still growing and changing, but also because they recognize that self-esteem usually doesn’t come from surgery alone. In general, people who want to have plastic surgery to make a specific change to a part of their body that they are aware of will find that it boosts their self-confidence; however, those who seek to change who they are will likely never be satisfied.
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