The impact of cosmetic surgery on body image and psychological well-being: an Italian follow up study

Background: It has been postulated that the goal of cosmetic surgery is to facilitate improvement in the patient's psychological functioning primarily by modifying the patient's body image (Pruzinsky, 1993). This study intended to investigate pre and post-operative changes in psychological well-being and body image. Methods: Seventy seven patients (91% F; Mage = 32.68) scheduled for profile, breast and body contouring cosmetic surgery from two Italian hospitals completed the Body Uneassiness Test (BUT) and the Psychological General Well-Being Index Short Version before and 13 months after surgery. Findings: Cosmetic surgery, irrespective of the specific type of operation, has a positive impact on psychological well-being. Instead the improvement in the distress related to body image depends on the pre-operative degree of severity (Global Severity Index of BUT): all patients with a body image disorder in the pre-operative stage (45.45%, measured using the cut-off value of BUT) continue to show this even 13 months after the operation. Discussion: The results confirm that a positive change in physical appearance leads to an improvement in psychological well-being. Nevertheless, the improvement in the distress related to body image was found only in patients without body image disorders (BID). Additionally, consistent with literature, this study outlines the high prevalence of BID in patients who demand aesthetic procedure and suggests therefore the importance of a preoperative clinical evaluation.