Body contour treatments have become increasingly common among the masses and in a bid to look good, people flock to clinics where they undergo weight loss surgeries and tightening of the skin. Despite the body contour method affecting patients only on a physical level, a psychological impact has been noted. This is why many patients are subjected to preoperative psychological evaluation to gauge how the body contour treatment might affect their personality. The assessment usually focuses on various areas, including expectations and motivations, body image concerns and appearance, and psychiatric history and status.
Unrealistic Expectations
A lot of body contour patients tend to harbour unrealistic expectations concerning postoperative results and some of them incorrectly anticipate that the surgery will lead to a complete body transformation that will be similar to persons who have never experienced additional body weight. Others might not entirely understand that body contour treatments often result in numerous visible scars, irregularities, along with residual deformities in the shape of the patient’s body. No matter what sort of treatment they opt for, it will never result in a “perfect” body shape. If they do not come to terms with this fact, it could lead to depression and disappointment, which in turn might affect their personality in a negative manner.
Drug Use
- A lot of body contour surgery patients turn to psychiatric medications, especially anti-depressants if they remain unhappy with the results of the treatment.
- They try to deal with their depressive symptoms but it gradually gets worse as the patient experiences random mood swings and it could affect their overall presentation in daily life.
- Mood disorders could develop in some cases and then the patient’s personality is likely to undergo rapid changes since they will lose their appetite, sleep, and concentration. Many patients have reported changes in the frequency of irritability, crying, feelings of hopelessness, social isolation, and the emergence of suicidal thoughts.
Dietary Habits
- Anxiety regarding the results of the body contour treatment might lead to binge eating and this is particularly problematic among patients who have lost massive weight. Symptoms are usually detected within 18 to 24 months following the surgery.
- Even if they do not have a binge eating disorder, it has been noticed that numerous patients regain 5% to 10% of their initial body weight within the first 12 to 36 months of the treatment and almost 10% to 15% over the course of the following decade.
- Weight gain after body contouring is likely to affect the postoperative satisfaction and potentially hamper the aesthetic results, thereby leading to personality problems, such as irritation, restlessness, low self-confidence, among other.
Positive Impact
There is always the chance that the patient undergoing body contour treatments will be satisfied with the final results of the surgery, and this also leads to some changes in the personality of the patient. Their self-esteem rises since they look better and they possess an optimistic attitude towards life. They seem more agreeable and do not show hesitation in interacting with people. It is possible that their confidence levels and sense of self-worth improves as a result of the treatment.