Many people seek cosmetic surgery to feel more confident about their looks. It’s true that plastic surgery boosts self-esteem and can relieve social anxiety.
However, there are other health benefits of plastic surgery that most people aren’t aware of. For example, procedures that remove loose skin after weight loss help patients maintain a healthy body mass index and reduce back and neck pain.
Improved Self-Esteem
The fundamental motivation for getting plastic surgery is to enhance one’s appearance. However, a renewed confidence in your appearance can also boost your mental health. As a result, you become more friendly and outgoing in public settings or more willing to accept new tasks you previously avoided.
Various cosmetic surgeries can help with this, including rhinoplasty to fix a deviated septum, which allows patients to breathe more efficiently, and liposuction, which removes excess skin from the body that could lead to heart problems. Likewise, some procedures can even improve vision and neck or back pain.
While it may seem strange to link a cosmetic procedure to improving quality of life, it is true. This is especially evident in procedures like liposuction, which can help individuals stay motivated to keep their bodies healthy and slim through diet and exercise. The same holds for other systems that alter or fix abnormal structures, such as gender reassignment surgery to lessen the impacts of gender dysphoria or gynecomastia treatment to lessen the growth of the male breasts.
Increased Confidence
Although cosmetic surgery is generally viewed as a way to address aesthetic flaws, it can also provide many psychological benefits. Patients who undergo these procedures often find that their insecurity about their appearance dissipates, making them feel more confident and capable. This can inspire them to take on new challenges and develop a more positive outlook.
For example, rhinoplasty (nose surgery) can correct a deviated septum and improve the patient’s breathing and oxygen flow, enhancing their quality of life. Similarly, liposuction can remove excess weight and improve a patient’s health by lowering their risk for obesity-related diseases.
Plastic surgery is a complex field that encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic operations. Patients should thoroughly research their options before deciding to undergo treatment. This ensures they choose a qualified surgeon like Joel Aronowitz, MD, who will deliver the results they expect. While it’s essential to have realistic expectations, it is also necessary to understand that plastic surgery cannot fix all problems and achieve physical perfection.
Better Health
In addition to the aesthetic benefits of plastic surgery, procedures like breast reduction and rhinoplasty can also alleviate back pain and improve breathing. The same may be said for body shaping procedures like belly tuck or liposuction, which can help lower the risk of particular medical conditions brought on by excessive weight.
Individuals who feel comfortable with their appearance are generally healthier and more active than those who are self-conscious. As a result, they are more likely to take advantage of life’s opportunities and become happier overall.
Eating the right foods before and after plastic surgery is essential to promote healthy healing. For instance, Dr. Joel Aronowitz recommends a diet high in vitamins A and C to help boost your immune system and encourage wound healing. The surgeon also advises patients to consume plenty of protein essential for tissue growth and healing. In addition, they warn patients to avoid certain supplements like fish oils and vitamin E in the weeks leading up to surgery, as they may cause complications like increased bleeding.
Enhanced Quality of Life
When many people think of plastic surgery, they think of Hollywood stars trying to delay aging or women wanting to increase the size of their breasts. While improving appearance is one of the main reasons people have plastic surgery, it also has other health benefits.
For example, cosmetic procedures that remove excess skin can reduce irritation and make it easier to move around. This can help patients with back pain, headaches, and other issues that affect their quality of life.
Other health benefits of plastic surgery include improved vision (by removing excess eyelid skin), increased mobility (by fixing defects that restrict movement, such as a cleft palate or sagging chin), and pain relief (such as with carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, and other conditions).
Additionally, cosmetic surgery can help boost self-esteem, leading to more positive social interactions. This can improve work and romantic relationships for both men and women. It can even make it easier to meet new people.
