Beyond the Scalpel: A Cross-Sectional Study of Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life in Women With a History of Cosmetic Surgery, Surgical Candidates, and a Comparison Group.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cosmetic surgery is increasingly performed worldwide and is often sought to address concerns related to body image, which may influence psychological well-being and quality of life. This study aimed to compare quality of life, psychological well-being, body appreciation, and body image concerns among women with a history of cosmetic surgery, cosmetic surgery candidates, and a comparison group. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 women in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were allocated into three groups: women with a history of cosmetic surgery, women who were candidates for cosmetic surgery, and a comparison group. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), and the Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The mean scores for quality of life, general health, body appreciation, and body image concern were 56.18, 27.58, 50.25, and 41.11, respectively. Significant differences were observed among the three groups in quality of life (p < 0.001), general health (p < 0.001), body image concern (p = 0.004), and body appreciation (p = 0.040). Post hoc tests showed that the operated group had more favorable quality-of-life and psychological-health scores and lower body-image concern than the other two groups; body-appreciation scores were lowest in the candidate group. CONCLUSION: Women with a history of cosmetic surgery reported a more favorable quality of life, body appreciation, body image concerns, and psychological well-being than cosmetic surgery candidates and women in the comparison group. Routine psychological assessment and careful evaluation of patients' motivations before cosmetic surgery may facilitate informed clinical decision-making and appropriate patient selection.