Psychological dimensions of aesthetic surgery: essentials for nurses

Psychological issues associated with breast augmentation

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that 329,396 women have undergone breast augmentation in the United States, an increase of 55% between 2000 and 2006, making it the most frequent US surgical cosmetic procedure for 2006 (ASPS, 2007). Although many studies have explored psychological aspects of this type of surgery, the consistently dramatic increase in numbers of breast augmentations, some that result in adverse psychological outcomes, remains a serious concern for health care providers. Surprisingly, very little is known about either the psychological characteristics of cosmetic surgery patients or the psychological impact of the surgical procedures. This literature review focuses on psychological issues in relation to breast augmentation procedures, including recent suicide findings related to this procedure. Conclusion of this review supports the necessity by health care providers to consistently screen patients for psychological disorders, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), prior to conducting cosmetic surgical procedures, specifically breast augmentation.

[Aesthetic procedures: client's perception regarding the information given for the decision making process]

This research verified client's perception regarding the information given and freedom of choice for the decision making process related to aesthetic procedures. It was carried out with a sample of 44 clients of the clinic where the study was conducted. Data collection was based on 28 propositions classified in three categories: Information, Competence and Freedom, and two scales to measure client's perception concerning the elucidation of the information provided and freedom of choice. Most clients were married women, with a University degree, professional background classified in levels III, IV and V, monthly income above 30 minimum wages, and in the age group from 41 to 50 years old. There was a predominance of clinical treatment compared to surgical ones, and superiority on the average score given to Competence compared to Information provided and Freedom. Based on the scales concerning client's perception, we concluded that in general clients felt they were fully informed and were free to choose the procedures that suited them best.

Effect of breast augmentation mammoplasty on self-esteem and sexuality: a quantitative analysis

Although not extensively researched, psychologic factors have attributed to the growing number of performed breast augmentation procedures. The reported a 293% increase in the cases of cosmetic surgery since 1997. The percent increase in breast augmentation procedures performed in 2003 was up 12 (280 procedures up to 401). As the number of women seeking breast augmentation surgery continues to rise, an increasing number of healthcare professionals are likely to be confronted with questions, concerns, and complications that often accompany the procedure. Consequently, it is important that healthcare providers comprehend the degree to which self-esteem and/or sexuality may affect their patients' outcomes. Healthcare professionals must ascertain specific nursing skills and attitudes while caring for the cosmetic surgical patient. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the changes that occur in the levels of self-esteem and sexuality following the breast augmentation. Test of the study hypotheses 1 through 4 failed to be rejected, thereby supporting significant positive relationships between the variables. Statistical analysis of Hypothesis 5 found positive significance between breast augmentation, self-esteem, and the demographic variables-educational level and history of previous cosmetic surgery.

Women's views of counselling received in connection with breast-feeding after reduction mammoplasty

The aim of this study was to generate a theoretical model of the experiences of women, who had undergone reduction mammoplasty, of counselling received in connection with breast-feeding. Data were collected through interviews with 12 breast-reduced women who had given birth to a child, and the material was analysed by means of the grounded theory method. Written permission to post notices at the child welfare centres had been obtained from the primary care managers. The women themselves applied for participation in the study. The results showed that their need for counselling from somebody who listened attentively to them and gave advice in connection with breast-feeding, was considerable. The women could have a feeling of self-reliance, ambivalence, acceptance or guilt, depending on the extent to which they perceived to have received counselling from their family members. At the same time, their experiences of the encounter with the nursing staff were of crucial importance. Lack of active listening and counselling from the nursing staff can be counterbalanced by support from relatives. However, when such support is not forthcoming, the nursing staff must be able to support the women in their role of a mother, which requires that education and supervision are given to the staff. The findings of the study can be used as a basis for further research into the need for support of the families concerned.

Psychological complications in 281 plastic surgery practices

Surgery is a high-stakes stressor with possible consequences that include death, pain, disfigurement, economic losses, and alterations in social roles. Often, the most disturbing complications to surgeons and patients are psychological rather than physical. Ineffective management of psychological complications of surgery can have profound consequences, resulting in delayed recuperative times, delayed return to work, poor patient compliance, dissatisfaction with the surgical outcome, hostility toward surgeons, and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to investigate in a large randomized group of plastic surgery practices the relative incidence of negative psychological outcomes and to compare these with the incidence of adverse physical outcomes to gain a greater appreciation of the relative magnitude of each type of perioperative complication. The study design was a descriptive, correlational survey that assessed psychological complications reported by plastic surgeons. The Plastic Surgery Questionnaire was sent to 702 randomly selected board-certified plastic surgeons. The sample consisted of 281 board-certified plastic surgeons (40 percent response rate). The study instrument was found to be highly reliable, with inter-item Cronbach's alpha r = 0.85. The demographics were representative of the specialty as a whole. It was found in general that psychological complications were much more prevalent than physical problems such as hematoma or infection. Anxiety reactions were commonly encountered by 95.4 percent of surgeons; disappointment (96.8 percent), depression (95.0 percent), nonspecific physical complaints (92.2 percent), and sleep disorders (88.5 percent) were the next most commonly reported complications. Most surgeons (75.8 percent) reported that screening for depression was important, but only 18.8 percent identified screening for post-traumatic stress disorder as important, even though 86 percent had diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder in their postoperative patients. Psychological complications occur at rates equal to or greater than those of physical complications in the plastic surgery practice. Patients who experience physical complications are much more likely to simultaneously experience psychological complications. Patients with preexisting psychological conditions are more at risk for postoperative psychological complications. Disappointment, anxiety, and depression were the most frequently seen psychological complications. Nursing personnel are perceived by plastic surgeons to have the primary role in screening patients for pertinent psychological history. Directed research should be undertaken to determine which treatment regimens are most effective in reducing preoperative psychological complications. Controlled clinical trials of pharmaceuticals and alternative therapies must be designed and carried out in a prospective manner to establish the optimum treatment for alleviation of adverse emotional consequences of surgery. The next frontier for the specialty is to actively and consciously investigate and improve our patients' emotional and psychological results from surgery.

Anxiety disorders in plastic surgery

Surgery is a stressful event, with the potential for profound disturbance to the patient's psychological and physiologic homeostasis. Cosmetic surgery is a particularly intense psychological experience because, in addition to the usual concerns about surgical side effects, cosmetic patients bring their hopes and expectations for improved self-image, putting them at risk for the added anxiety of disappointment. High levels of anxiety coupled with the perception of vulnerability or threat to self can cause significant psychological reactions complicating care for the plastic surgical patient. This paper outlines the diagnostic features of the common types of anxiety disorders seen in plastic surgical patients, and it offers treatment strategies for the practitioner, delineating when referral to a mental health expert is advised. Specific clinical case studies of panic attack, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acute stress disorder are presented to illustrate the variety of abnormal anxiety responses that may be encountered in the perioperative setting. Interventions for the anxious patient are part science and part art. Careful questioning and psychosocial assessment can identify those patients who are at greater risk for psychological problems after surgery. However, some patients may mask or keep secret their concerns, which can be manifested with resulting anger and hostility. Plastic surgeons must use appropriate indicators of psychological anxiety and measure a specific patient's reactions to surgery to make the diagnosis of abnormal anxiety. Close follow-up by the plastic surgical team is an essential part of the anxiety disorder patient's psychological treatment, but it is imperative that these problematic patients be referred promptly to a qualified mental health professional to limit their adverse experience and promote their well-being. Patients who are less anxious during the perioperative period report less emotional distress and fewer defensive behaviors and are likely to be more satisfied with the outcome of their surgery.