Cosmetic Surgery Linked to Improved Mental Health

October 12, 2006
Approximately one third of cosmetic surgery patients taking antidepressants at the time of their procedure discontinue use of these drugs after the operation, according to the findings of a recent study.

Dr. Bruce Freedman, the plastic surgeon who led the study, said that cosmetic procedures have long been associated with improved self-esteem. However, self-esteem issues may be unrelated to mental health diagnoses that require antidepressant use.

“The percentage of patients reporting an improvement in self-esteem was similar among patients who were and were not able to stop their antidepressants. So, it appears that it wasn't a self-esteem effect. Instead, it may relate to a separate effect on quality of life,” said Dr. Freedman.

Researchers followed 362 cosmetic surgery patients – primarily middle-aged women undergoing a breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or facelift – over the course of a year.

Of the 61 patients who were taking antidepressants prior to surgery, only 42 remained on the drugs six months following surgery. Ninety-eight percent of the patients reported improved self-esteem after their procedure.

According to Dr. Freedman, the research did not take into consideration the patients' individual mental health diagnoses or whether the surgery was meant to correct a depression-related problem.

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