Many people regret having cosmetic surgery, either because the result does not match the expected picture or because of complications. Research conducted by the Medical Accident Group found that 65% of people surveyed regretted surgery, although 28% were very satisfied with the results. The patient may regret making a decision after making elective health care decisions. The current era focuses on patient-reported outcomes, and regret for making a decision is another indicator that surgeons can and should measure against.
postoperative results. Patients who regret making a decision after elective procedures can often blame themselves, the surgeon, or the clinical office, and this can have subsequent psychological and economic consequences for all parties involved. A study conducted among plastic surgery patients revealed that approximately 20% of the participants expressed some degree of dissatisfaction after the procedure. Factors such as unrealistic expectations, unforeseen complications, asymmetry or unfavorable scarring are among the reasons cited to explain these feelings of discontent.
It is essential to keep in mind that postoperative dissatisfaction is not necessarily indicative of a surgical error or of the surgeon's incompetence. However, recognizing the existence of this phenomenon is essential to further explore the factors that influence regret in plastic surgery patients and to develop strategies to effectively address and manage post-surgical dissatisfaction. It's normal to feel sorry for the decision to undergo the procedure during the early stages of healing. Regret for cosmetic plastic surgery occurs when patients are unhappy with the results of the surgery.
Many people experience this feeling after undergoing cosmetic procedures. Studies show that approximately 20% of plastic surgery patients report some form of regret. This statistic highlights the prevalence of dissatisfaction among those seeking aesthetic improvements. All ASPS members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited centers, and follow strict safety and ethical standards. The experience of regret for making a decision can have adverse psychological effects on the patient and can damage the relationship between the patient and the surgeon.
Patients who seek surgery to meet the expectations of other people, such as partners or friends, instead of attending to their own personal wants and needs may be at greater risk of regret. Many patients expect plastic surgery to improve not only their bodies but also their way of thinking by increasing their self-esteem or confidence. Cosmetic surgery regret refers to feelings of disappointment or dissatisfaction following a surgical procedure. Pfafflin examined 2000 patients who underwent surgery to reaffirm their sex between 1961 and 1991, and revealed that, according to several studies, the regret rate was less than 1%.
When patients are not fully aware of the potential risks, limitations, and complications of the procedure, they may have unrealistic expectations and become more likely to regret it after surgery. Plastic surgery generally addresses problems outside the body: skin and soft tissue, fat, body contours, and sometimes delicate bone structures (of the face, hands, and wrists). It's important to consider your relationship with yourself and others before deciding to have plastic surgery. According to the survey, 83% of people who have undergone plastic surgery would not consider undergoing any type of cosmetic procedure again. While many people feel happy and excited after a procedure such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, or tummy tuck, it's not uncommon for them to feel a little sad or even regretful.
While plastic surgery can provide individuals with the desired physical changes, it's essential to recognize that not all surgical outcomes align with patient expectations. Compared to medically necessary health care decisions (which are not yet immune to regret for making a decision), elective healthcare decisions are especially vulnerable to retrospective review and regret from both patients and surgeons. Here you will find articles from Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, courtesy of Wolters Kluwer Health. However, there was a significant correlation between low optimism and regret about the decision in non-white women with higher levels of mild and severe regret.
