Body Dysmorphic Disorder - Polling All Members - Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery Message Board

surg-R-Us · 04-06-2003, 11:08 AM

I was just curious as to anyones' opinion on BDD. There is a news story in todays paper regarding BDD and the statistics are saying that body dysmorphic disorder is prevalent in 8-12% of patients who have continued plastic surgery. I feel that this is low probably due to the fact that most patients aren't in counseling. The question is whether you all agree that BDD is prevalent in higher proportions. Maybe plastic surgeons should have in-staff counselors to refer to when necessary but would that ever happen in real life when the actual surgery would be more profitable to the surgeon in question? I'd be interested in others opinions who have had surgeries and continue to want more and feel that they may be on the verge of having or getting body dysmorphic disorder.

monicaf · 04-06-2003, 01:34 PM

I am sure all of us who have repeated cosmetic surgery have a body image disorder. I know I have it. I will be going for my fourth procedure in 10 years. I have had a breast reduction ( that was a medical necessity), liposuction, a tummy tuck and now I am going for more lipo and some eye work. I am even considering cheek implants. I cannot tell anyone I knwo about it because they all think I look great and I am nuts. I am going to start seeing a counsler to help me with my problem. I wish I could e more accepting of myself like others seem to be. I have always had issues with my body since I was in my early teens. I used to diet all the time. I have destroyed my metabolism through so much dieting. It is to the point were I cannot lose a pound even though I work out all the time and hardly eat.

Hope that answers your question

Saz55 · 04-14-2003, 01:10 PM

This is an interesting topic. I think there needs to be a distinguishment made wih BDD. There is a lot more to BDD than just an unsatisfactory self-image.
Maybe there are degrees to it; but from the information that I have read, a person with BDD see's themselves a grotesque, drastically out of proportion to reality - much more severe than being very
obsessed with one's appearance to the point of dwelling on minor abnormalities.

The underlying question that I have always had is:
Is Cosmetic surgery just geared for fixxing abnormalities? Oversized nose, undersized chin, etc.

What about if a healthy person considers aesthetics just as much of a valued attribute as intelligence and physical fitness?

This person may seek to improve aspects of their face that do not stick out as a flaw but surgically an improvement can be made that will improve the overall aesthetics of the face.

Now when you look at your Cindy Jackson or Kevin Dossling who completely transformed their appearance -
there were obvious flaws to begin with, but a lot of the work was on areas that were average.
The end result was that the surgeries did improve their aesthetic prowess.

I'm not really trying to make a point or a debate,
just wanted to see what general views may be about
People who wish to improve areas of their face that are not unattractive where the end result will improve
overall attractiveness.

Cosmetic surgery aimed at improving average appearances. It comes down to how a person values aesthetics as a human attribute. If someone is born with an average IQ it is virtuous for them to study hard and improve their knowledge and better their intellect. My opinion is that it is not vain, nor
psychologically abnormal to aspire to improve one's
aesthetics even if facial features are correctly proportioned. It depends on their own value system I suppose.

Your interesting posts got me rethinking this philosophical piece I think of from time to time.

peace out,
Saz

surg-R-Us · 04-14-2003, 06:25 PM

Saz- I agree with all of the points and the reply before as well. I'm sure the severity of BDD depends on the person as some are happy with a single surgery. I don't see a problem with improving ones' appearance just as we whiten our teeth, or exercise, or excel at our jobs as you've said. The question in my mind is where is the line that is crossed to obsession. Is it two, three, four, or multiple surgeries. I think you are given a basic look and it can be improved to a point unless major changes are made. If we could all be happy at the point of subtle improvements, then it's healthy but it's when we start to try to get more and more improvements to the point of no return is when we may be BDD. If anyone knows that point of no return, please let us potential BDDers know where it is. Thanks!