Our Summary
This research paper is a thorough review of how the psychology of people who get facelifts has changed over the past 50 years. It was found that many people who choose to get facelifts have higher levels of emotional and social worries about how they look compared to the average person. They often are going through stressful life events in middle age and may not have the best ways to cope with these stresses. The most common mental health diagnoses include depression, impulsivity, unstable personality, and passive dependence, although these are not always severe.
The main reason people choose to get a facelift is to improve their body image. The paper describes different groups of women who get facelifts based on their age, including younger women who are emotionally dependent, middle-aged working women, and older women dealing with grief. Men who get facelifts usually have more psychological issues, but they also see a greater improvement in their quality of life after the surgery.
People are motivated to get facelifts for a variety of reasons, including to boost their self-esteem, make new friends, improve relationships, and get better jobs. Over 95% of patients are happy with the results of their surgery, reporting positive changes in their life, increased self-confidence and self-esteem, less self-consciousness about their appearance, and an overall better quality of life. However, about half of patients experience psychological reactions like anxiety and depression after the surgery.
Factors that predict patient satisfaction include wanting to improve self-image rather than wanting to change their life situation. Negative factors include being male, being young, having unrealistic expectations, having relationship issues, and having existing mental health problems. The paper stresses the importance of carefully selecting patients to ensure they will be happy with the results of their surgery.
FAQs
- What are some common psychological characteristics of facelift patients?
- What motivates patients to undergo facelift surgery?
- What factors can negatively affect a patient’s satisfaction with a facelift procedure?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about getting a facelift is to have realistic expectations. It’s important to understand that while a facelift can improve your appearance, it won’t completely change your life or solve all of your problems. It’s also important to have a thorough consultation with your surgeon to discuss your goals and ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure. Additionally, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s postoperative instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.
Suitable For
Facelift surgery is typically recommended for patients who have concerns about their facial appearance and wish to improve their self-esteem and overall quality of life. Patients undergoing facelift surgery often exhibit emotional and social concerns about their appearance, and may be experiencing midlife situational stresses. Common characteristics seen in facelift patients include depression, impulsivity, unstable personality traits, and passive dependence.
Female patients seeking facelift surgery can be categorized into different age groups, including the emotionally dependent younger group, the middle-aged worker group, and the older grief group. Male patients may have a higher level of psychological dysfunction, but also tend to experience a higher improvement in postoperative quality of life.
Motivations for facelift surgery include increasing self-esteem, improving relationships, making new friends, and enhancing job prospects. Overall patient satisfaction rates are high, with most patients reporting positive changes in their life, increased self-confidence, decreased self-consciousness about their appearance, and an overall improvement in their quality of life.
It is important to note that postoperative psychological reactions, such as anxiety and depression, can occur in about half of facelift patients. Predictors of patient satisfaction include a desire for self-image improvement, while negative predictors include male sex, young age, unrealistic expectations, relationship disturbances, and preexisting psychological pathology.
In conclusion, good patient selection is crucial in achieving a satisfied facelift patient. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations and to be emotionally prepared for the surgery and recovery process.
Timeline
Before a facelift, a patient may experience dissatisfaction with their facial appearance, leading to emotional and social concerns. They may undergo midlife situational stresses and lack positive coping mechanisms. Common diagnoses include depression, impulsivity, unstable personality, and passive dependence. Motivations for surgery include improving body image, self-esteem, relationships, and quality of life.
After a facelift, patients generally report high levels of satisfaction and improvement in their quality of life. They experience positive changes in their life, increased self-confidence and self-esteem, decreased self-consciousness about their appearance, and overall improvement in their relationships. However, about half of patients may experience postoperative psychological reactions, such as anxiety and depression. Predictors of patient satisfaction include a desire for self-image improvement, while negative predictors include male sex, young age, unrealistic expectations, relationship disturbances, and preexisting psychological pathology. Good patient selection is key to achieving a satisfied patient.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with a facelift procedure?
- How long is the recovery process expected to be, and what can I do to help facilitate a smooth recovery?
- Will there be scarring after the procedure, and if so, how visible will it be?
- How long can I expect the results of the facelift to last?
- Are there any non-surgical alternatives that may achieve similar results?
- How many facelift procedures have you performed, and what is your success rate?
- Can you show me before and after photos of previous facelift patients you have treated?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure, and what are the potential side effects?
- Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or follow a specific skincare regimen after the procedure?
- What should I do if I experience any complications or concerns during the recovery process?
Reference
Authors: Sarcu D, Adamson P. Journal: Facial Plast Surg. 2017 Jun;33(3):252-259. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1598071. Epub 2017 Jun 1. PMID: 28571061