At PSJ, we often refer to one’s plastic surgery event as a “plastic surgery journey.” We chose this for 2 reasons:
1. The Physical Journey - The actual research, traveling to another country, logdging, having the surgery performed, and physical recovery.
2. The Internal Journey - The emotional journey with oneself and loved ones, self evaluation, and friendships incurred through this passage, along with the emotional recovery and acceptance of the results.

Let’s look into the internal journey.

In the book “More Than Skin Deep: Exploring the Real Reasons Why Women Go Under the Knife” (HarperCollins), San Francisco plastic surgeon Eskenazi denies that most of her female patients who undergo breast enlargements, face-lifts, liposuction and other cosmetic operations are insecure dupes of an ageist, “female-hating culture.” Instead, cosmetic surgery is a “rite of passage that celebrates life stages” and not as much superficial, manipulated, or orchestrated.

Quoting an article on the subject:

“I just had a patient 10 years post-cancer who had no breasts but wanted a face-lift because she said she looked so old relative to parents of her kids’ friends and, she said, ‘I’m 10 years alive and I want to celebrate that,’ ” Eskenazi said.

After performing about 10,000 reconstructive and elective procedures over the past 25 years, she says there are myths and misconceptions about cosmetic surgery. Eskenazi says the desire for transformation through surgery is connected to psychological and spiritual change, what she calls a chosen rite of passage to have outer selves reflect an inner reality.

She goes on to say that all surgery can be very spiritual. At key points in our lives, something changes internally, there is psychological shifting and we want to mark that time, like a tattoo.

It is important to understand ones reasoning for plastic surgery. Questions like, Why did you decide on surgery now? What do you hope to gain from this surgery? You cannot use this surgery as a substitute for dealing with other pressing issues in your life.

I think every PS patient should commit to the understanding of their journey. Its different for each of us: in the post weight loss surgery patient who needs to complete the last part of thier transformation by ridding herself of the excess baggage; the divorsee who found the courage to leave an abusive relationship and wants to mark this new beginning with a face lift; the girl who was teased and after alot of self evaluation wants to move on.

Yes, there is a mind-body connection that should not be ignored. The journey inward is a spritual event.