Reasons for undergoing cosmetic surgery: a retrospective study.

Abstract

Reasons for undergoing elective plastic surgery were retrospectively explored with seven female postoperative participants aged 34-55, who were interviewed using semistructured interview format. Interviews were analysed using an adapted version of interpretative phenomenological analysis (e.g. Smith, 1996; Smith, Jarman and Osborn, 1999; Jarman, Smith and Walsh, 1997). The results of the analysis showed that the participants all experienced positive physical and psychological outcomes of surgery: several master themes were identified relating to their initial reasons for embarking upon surgery including ‘age appropriateness’, ‘body integrity’, and ‘wanting to look normal’. These themes are explored in relation to ideas prevalent in feminist and evolutionary psychology.

Document Downloads