Psychological aspects of cosmetic surgery

Abstract

The present study aimed to provide a psychosocial profile of 169 patients seeking cosmetic surgery, and to evaluate longitudinally the effects of the surgery on psychosocial functioning. The results were compared with a control group of 53 patients who had presented for functional hand surgery for Dupuytren's contracture. Pre-operatively all patients were interviewed by the surgeon and they completed the following questionnaires: Middlesex Hospital, Life Events, Social Adjustment, Locus of Control and Self-Esteem. Prior to surgery, significant differences were found on psychometric assessment between the cosmetic surgery and the functional hand surgery groups. Patients differed significantly..