Elective cosmetic surgery is undertaken by choice to alter one’s physical appearance, typically aimed at improving self-perception and confidence. While most patients report satisfaction, regret or dissatisfaction is a recognized outcome. Regret is a broad term, encompassing negative feelings that range from minor disappointment over an imperfect result to severe psychological distress. Understanding the frequency and causes of post-operative unhappiness helps practitioners improve patient selection and manage expectations. Disappointment is complex, stemming from factors related to the physical result, the patient’s mental state, or a combination of both.
Quantifying Patient Dissatisfaction
The question of how many people regret plastic surgery does not have a single, fixed answer, as statistics vary widely based on the study’s design, the definition of “regret,” and the specific procedure analyzed. Patient satisfaction is generally high, often cited between 76.8% and 99%. However, studies focusing on dissatisfaction or regret often find figures ranging between 7% and 20% of patients expressing unhappiness.
This range reflects the difference between objective surgical success and subjective patient fulfillment. Regret rates for specific procedures vary; for example, breast augmentation is reported between 5.1% and 9.1%, while body contouring ranges from 10.82% to 33.3%. These figures demonstrate that a noticeable percentage of patients report dissatisfaction, even when the surgery was medically successful.
Dissatisfaction is often tied to a subjective perception of the result rather than an objective medical complication. This highlights the importance of psychological and communicative factors. Unhappiness is typically rooted in a failure to meet personal expectations or the occurrence of an unforeseen event during healing.
Primary Factors Leading to Dissatisfaction
Non-psychological factors leading to regret fall into two categories: physical complications and aesthetic mismatch. Physical complications, while rare, are a concrete cause of unhappiness and can include prolonged healing, infection, seroma formation, or excessive scarring. Even though major complications are typically below 1%, minor, unexpected issues can still lead to emotional distress and regret.
Aesthetic mismatch occurs when the surgical outcome, despite being technically successful, does not align with the patient’s visual goal. This gap between expectation and reality is a leading cause of dissatisfaction. Miscommunication during the pre-operative consultation plays a significant role, such as when a patient desires a subtle change but the outcome is too dramatic.
The perception of aesthetic mismatch is often intensified by unrealistic expectations, frequently fueled by heavily filtered images seen on social media. A patient expecting a perfect, flawless result may be disappointed by normal signs of surgery, such as mild asymmetry or residual swelling. Even when the surgeon performs flawlessly, the patient’s unrealistic internal vision can result in profound disappointment.
The Role of Psychological Screening
A significant portion of dissatisfaction relates to the patient’s underlying psychological state and motivations, rather than surgical skill or physical complication. Responsible practices recognize that certain mental health conditions make a patient unsuitable for elective surgery, as they are unlikely to be satisfied. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is the most prominent condition, characterized by a preoccupation with a perceived flaw that is often slight or unnoticeable to others.
Patients suffering from BDD are at a higher risk of post-surgical regret, even after a technically perfect operation. Studies indicate that over 82% of individuals with BDD who undergo procedures report no improvement or experience worsening mental health symptoms. These patients may also face three times the risk of complications and greater post-operative pain, contributing to a negative outcome.
To mitigate this risk, many surgeons utilize pre-operative psychological screening tools to identify patients with BDD. One validated instrument is the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire – Aesthetic Surgery (BDDQ-AS). This brief, self-report questionnaire assesses preoccupation and resulting distress. Screening positive on this tool predicts lower satisfaction after surgery, and the appropriate course of action is often referral to a qualified mental health professional before surgery is performed.
Strategies for Minimizing Dissatisfaction
Prospective patients can take several proactive steps to reduce the risk of experiencing regret after a cosmetic procedure.
- Choose a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in the desired procedure.
- Conduct thorough research into the surgeon’s credentials, patient testimonials, and before-and-after portfolios.
- Establish clear, open, and realistic communication with the surgeon during the consultation phase to manage expectations.
- Ensure motivations for seeking surgery are internal (e.g., self-improvement), rather than external (e.g., pleasing a partner).
- Seek second opinions from other qualified professionals to gain different perspectives on potential outcomes.
- Follow all pre- and post-operative instructions precisely, as compliance is essential for optimal healing and minimizing complications.