Hi Christine,
Your points are all valid, and I think our disagreement was about the possibility of a major depression. I think you are perhaps thinking more about a disappointment. The Plastic Surgeons I know are very cognizant about the phenomenon you refer to and do get Psychiatric consultations when they think it is appropriate.
One sad case I know of involved a young woman with a moderatly unsightly nose who consulted a surgeon to have it redone. Unfortunately she was also markedly overweight, had a very flat personality, little education, etc., etc. Naturally none of these things changed once the nasal problem was corrected, and she was still unhappy, as one might have predicted. Some preoperative counseling might have helped her in many ways. On the other hand, I have personally known several people who had what I thought was an insignificant cosmetic problem (nose, ears, eyelids, breasts, etc.), and who blossomed and became much happier about themselves after surgery. With most of these people, I didn't even notice any difference after the surgery. The point is that they felt better about themselves, and that makes it worthwhile.
I have got to get off this computer. It's addicting! Spent most of yesterday on the Grammar/Spelling thread. Have a good weekend, Christine.
Jack |
