When it comes to self-image, perhaps two ideas can coexist. Can you love yourself the way you are, but you still want to change some parts of your appearance? An increasingly nuanced understanding of cosmetic surgery in the era of body positivity says yes.
Body positivity refers to the idea of feeling positive about your appearance, flaws and all.
Cosmetic surgery often seeks to correct perceived flaws—which is why there’s often been a stigma that these procedures are about vanity, superficiality, and meeting unrealistic beauty standards. As the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) acknowledges, even with growing acceptance of plastic surgery, there are still questions about how good it is for a person’s mental health.
But ASPS points to growing research that says, yes, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery can improve mental wellness, boost confidence, and lead people to live more fulfilling lives.
Here’s why:
People deserve to feel good about their appearance. These procedures are a deeply personal choice that patients pursue because of negative emotions surrounding parts of their appearance. Often, it’s an aspect of their appearance they feel is different from who they are as a person. There can be practical and emotional sides to this choice, as ASPS explains: For example, a woman may want a breast reduction to avoid unwanted attention she often receives, but having smaller breasts will also make it easier for her to find clothes she likes.
Surgery can achieve what even the healthiest lifestyles can’t. Even when you’re following a healthy lifestyle, there’s only so much it will affect your appearance. Women in Balance—an independent organization of female physicians, healthcare professionals, and partners—notes that most women who choose surgery do so after a major life event. They’ve recently been pregnant, gone through menopause, lost a significant amount of weight, or been injured. They don’t recognize themselves, and that’s not something they can solve through diet, exercise, skincare, and stress management.
When you feel good about yourself, you’re more likely to make healthy choices. A cosmetic procedure is only one small part of how a person can look and feel their best. It has to coexist with other choices like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and a healthy social life and sex life. As part of this lifestyle, a patient isn’t relying on cosmetic procedures alone to bring fulfillment—and they’re more likely to pursue this healthy lifestyle because they feel good about themselves, according to Women in Balance.
Cosmetic surgery still isn’t always the right option for everyone. A surgeon can help you manage your expectations and determine whether a procedure will improve your self-image. If you’re trying to achieve perfection or make a change to please others (not yourself), you may be setting yourself up to do more harm than good. On the other hand, if this procedure aligns with your values and will boost your confidence, it could put you on the path to better self-image.
