PubMed ID:
9514352
Public Release Type:
Journal
Publication Year: 1998
Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199804040-00040
Authors:
Pertschuk MJ,
Sarwer DB,
Wadden TA,
Whitaker LA
Studies:
Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery
This article reviews the history of psychological investigations of cosmetic surgery patients. These studies have been designed to address two fundamental questions: (1) Are there "patient types" or forms of psychopathology that serve as contraindications to cosmetic surgery? and (2) What is the likelihood of psychological change following cosmetic surgery? This review suggests that the research has not fully answered these questions. In response, we propose a new direction for psychological investigation, focusing on issues of body image in cosmetic surgery patients. We discuss the relationship between body image and cosmetic surgery and pose several relevant questions for future research.