Depression is a common aftereffect of a plastic surgery procedure because of several factors:
- The preparation, anticipation, and recovery of having a plastic surgery procedure.
- All of the medicines, anesthesia, and trauma of the surgery can have physical and mental effects on you.
- Anxiety and fear of any potential complications during and after the surgery.
- Since you are advised to not exercise or strain your body too much, the lack of exercise can make you feel tired and sluggish. This could lead to feeling unhappy with yourself.
- After your plastic surgery procedure, you will need some time to adjust to your new look. It can sometimes be jarring to see your new body or face and as a result, you feel overwhelmed and depressed. If you are feeling this way, it is a good idea to consider seeing a therapist.
- Sometimes friends and family can make you feel post-surgery depression. Their reactions, good or bad, can sometimes trigger feelings of sadness or anxiety within you. It is important to remember this is normal. To decrease the chances of this happening, it is a good idea to prepare your family before the procedure. Let them know the whole process, be clear about the reasons you’re doing it, and show any pictures you may have of what you could possibly look like after.
- Feelings of guilt can also trigger a depressive mood as well. You might feel guilty for choosing to get the procedure or for how you look after. It is recommended to see a counselor or therapist before you do the procedure. It is normal to feel these things after the procedure but if they continue, you should consider meeting with the therapist again.
Feelings of depression are normal after any surgery, especially a life changing one like plastic surgery. The feelings can be decrease by properly preparing yourself mentally and physically before and after the surgery procedure. It is important to remember that you need time to recover, heal, and get used to the changes. Relax, mediate, and do things that you enjoy. Support from loved ones is very helpful but if you don’t have that, there are also online support groups you can join. Speaking to people who’ve had the same procedure can help you deal with any depression easier.
If you are considering getting cosmetic surgery, trust in Dr. Donald P. Hanna, one of the leading specialists in plastic surgery in Raleigh, NC, and surrounding areas. He is a Board Certified plastic surgeon who makes it his goal to help you get the looks you’ve always wanted.
Call Cary Plastic Surgery today at (919)233-1933 or (984)221-0403 to learn more.
