Depression After Plastic Surgery or Cosmetic Procedures

Many times, patients, including me, experience times of sadness or anxiety during the plastic surgery recovery period. We begin to second guess ourselves and wonder truly if we ever should have had the surgery in the first place. We begin to think we are "ugly" and that the bruising and swelling will never go away. If you fall into this category, you are not alone. In fact, you're quite normal!

Typical Reasons For Post-Surgical Depression

Depression after plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures can be attributed to the after effects of anesthesia (which seems to bring out our "sensitive sides" and our anxiety), medications, post-surgical traumatic stress syndrome, constipation from the medications and a general feeling of disarray. Being restricted to low impact activities and having to sleep upright for 1 o 2 weeks (if you've had surgery) certainly doesn't help either. No wonder you're feeling down.

Pain and discomfort can really wreak havoc on some patients, taking a lot of the fun out of life. Pain medications and antibiotics can cause constipation and other temporary digestive problems that back everything up, make you feel bloated and possibly cause you abdominal pain. Some surgeons suggest a mild stool softener like Colace® or natural remedies such as eating daikon (a Chinese root vegetable) after you are finished with your medications. This helps with getting everything in working order again and flushes out residual meds and what not from the pipes. Drinking plenty of water most certainly helps and I cannot stress this factor enough. Print out our motivational Postoperative Emotions Reminder List to help you with your plastic surgery recovery.

Feeling Let Down during Plastic Surgery Recovery

The number one reason for depression is a post-surgical drop in adrenaline, also known as the Surgical Let Down Period. Imagine that you are expecting something that you have anticipated for a long time. You're excited emotionally, mentally and physically, in part because of the adrenaline rush your body is manufacturing. You reach the point after surgery when you start to believe all is going to be wonderful – and then you peak in the mirror. Lo and behold, you look like you've been hit in the mouth with a Louisville Slugger. Even after the healing is well underway a few weeks later, your lips still may be "funny looking". In reality, you are bruised, swollen and uncomfortable and you have these two huge lips that are dominating your face! You may start thinking, "I paid for this??"

Depression after plastic surgery is very normal. Surgical patients frequently experience a brief period of "let-down" or depression after cosmetic surgery. Some may subconsciously have expected to feel and look better instantly, even though they rationally understand that this will not be the case. Patients commonly question their decision during the first few days after surgery. As the healing progresses, however, these thoughts usually disappear quickly. Understanding that depression is a natural phase of the healing process may help you cope with your emotional state.

Before your surgery, you may find it helpful to write down what you should expect postoperatively so you can read it over when you're feeling blue. This will help you keep things in perspective and prepare your mind. It will also remind your brain that you knew this was going to happen. You're not crazy - you're just going through a low. It should subside. If it does not, talk to your surgeon about it and possibly get a referral for a therapist. Don't take that wrong – it could do more good that you'd think.

I find it extraordinarily helpful to talk to real patients about these sad feelings. That's why you should visit our Lip Augmentation Support Forum! You can trade stories and seek support from people who have “been there, done that” and can help you better than a therapist who has never even thought about plastic surgery before. Then again, the choice is yours. What do you think will help you most? Also, print out our motivational Postoperative Emotions Reminder List to help you with your recovery.

Give your lips time to heal and settle into place. At first they will look too big, and after the swelling goes down you may feel that they are too small. This phenomenon, known as lip greed, occurs because you got accustomed to large, swollen lips and now you have normal-looking, yet voluptuous lips. This is where before-and-after photos come in very handy. Comparing your lips before and after surgery will show the progress you've made and get your mind of what you had when you looked like a bumblebee stung you. If you know what to expect, you will not be so upset.