Plastic surgery is about more than just appearance
Our body is closely connected to who we are. That explains why people have been seeking ways to influence their appearance for centuries — from makeup to exercise. Researcher Fabienne Krywuczky, who studies consumer decisions related to plastic surgery, shows that plastic surgery is not only about beauty but also deeply tied to one’s sense of identity and self-image.
Her research offers two key insights. First, she shows that women tend to prefer breast reconstruction using their own body tissue rather than implants, once they move beyond the acute medical phase. This preference isn’t based on appearance, but on the fact that using their own tissue helps them better regain a sense of “being themselves.”
Second, cosmetic procedures can come with social costs: people who undergo plastic surgery are more often perceived as narcissistic and therefore risk social rejection. This perception is stronger for procedures seen as purely cosmetic or high-risk.
Krywuczky emphasizes the importance of psychological support in the medical process: doctors and consultants should address not only the physical but also the psychological consequences of procedures. Outside the healthcare context, her research shows that negative perceptions of plastic surgery can be reduced — for example, by sharing personal, not just aesthetic, motivations.
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