Sometimes we have the impression that our specialty, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, does not have a curative purpose, but is something superficial and banal.

In some cases this may be the case. However, when properly focused, it can greatly improve people’s lives.

We consider it to be frivolous or superficial when it seeks unnatural or exaggerated results or deformations of human anatomy. We also consider cosmetic surgery to be inappropriate when the patient has unrealistic expectations about the expected results, or when it is performed on patients in suboptimal conditions (poor health, overweight, etc.).

When does plastic surgery offer a great improvement in the patient’s well-being and self-esteem?

Well, first of all, when the patient is looking for natural results, in accordance with their body, and realistic. They cannot look to have a certain actor’s nose when their anatomy is completely different, for example.

Secondly, when plastic surgery is accompanied by a functional improvement in the patient’s health. For example, a breast reduction that “frees” the patient, a rhinoplasty that improves nasal breathing problems, a blepharoplasty that increases the visual field or prevents eye irritation.

Thirdly, when we eliminate “complexes” present in people’s lives, such as protruding ears, a bulky abdomen or a double chin that is out of place with the rest of the person’s body.

Fourthly, we see great improvements in the self-esteem of the patients we treat when we perform “aging surgeries” such as blepharoplasty or facelift. People who receive these treatments usually experience an improvement in their personal confidence, seeing that they look younger or improve externally, and this is transmitted to their interior and they feel more encouraged and confident, they even change the way they dress or start doing hobbies that they didn’t do before due to insecurity. They even improve their social relationships.

Dr. Patricia Martínez is a registered plastic surgeon, member of the College of Physicians of Valencia and SECPRE (Spanish Society of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery).