You may be surprised to learn that having surgery to improve your looks can have an emotional aftermath. Too many prospective plastic surgery patients fail to consider the emotional aspects of cosmetic surgery.

There are positive emotional effects, to be sure, but most people tend to forget about the possible psychological ramifications of undergoing major surgery to improve one's looks. The phenomenon of post-op depression is real, but its effects can be minimized if patients are prepared for the possibility.

Post-Surgical Depression

The incidence of post-surgical depression is much higher than most people realize and often gets glossed over in the “risks and complications of surgery” pep talk given by most surgeons to their patients.

Let’s examine some of the major contributors to post-surgical depression, most of which are common to any type of surgery:

Effects of General Anesthesia

Did you know that traces of the chemicals used to “put you under” in general anesthesia can remain in your body tissues, affecting you both physically and emotionally, for up to three weeks? These residual effects can include lethargy and depression, and even bouts of unexplained weepiness or despair.﻿﻿ Incidences of these effects seem to increase in proportion to the age of the patient.

Pain Medications

Post-surgical pain management usually requires at least a brief period of the patient being on prescription narcotic painkillers. Most narcotic painkillers are in a class of drugs considered depressants. This does not necessarily mean that they will make you depressed.

In layman’s terms, it just means that they tend to slow everything down, much like alcohol, but on a larger scale. Just as people have different emotional reactions to being intoxicated after a few drinks, they also have different reactions to being on pain meds. Sometimes, these reactions are similar to (and compounded by) those related to the residual effects of general anesthesia, as listed in the paragraph above.

Physical Restrictions Inherent to Recovery

Let’s face it: Almost nobody enjoys being stuck in bed, depending on others for help with basic tasks, being forced to abandon our usual routines and take time out for healing. Feelings of restlessness, boredom, helplessness, and even uselessness are quite common. In addition, the lack of physical activity usually means a short supply of endorphins, which is never a good thing, mood-wise.

Bruised and Battered

In a nutshell, when you look and feel terrible physically, you’re likely to feel terrible emotionally as well. Imagine lying in bed in pain, doped up on medication which makes you feel slightly nauseated… Then you go to the mirror to sneak a peek. Your face is bruised and swollen, sporting visible stitches reminiscent of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. It hardly sounds like a recipe for bliss, does it?

Steps to Combat Post-Op Depression