Do you believe that the fatter you are, the worse your body image? The Huffington Post, November 16th, spoke with David Sarwer, an associate professor of psychology and a weight and eating disorders specialist, about the truth of common assumptions about weight loss and body image.
Assumption 1: “The fatter you are, the worse your body image.” According to Sarwer this assumption does not hold true. There’s a very slim relationship between how you think you look and how you actually look. Those who are the most attractive sometimes have negative thoughts about how they look and those less attractive may show little body image distress.
Assumption 2: “Losing weight is the best way to boost body image.” Following weight loss, many people, including bariatric surgery patients, still have a lot of body dissatisfaction. One of things Sarwer tells patients when they come in for body-image counseling is: "Your goal isn't necessarily to learn to love your body as much as it is to learn how to tolerate it and not have the distress significantly impact your daily life."
Assumption 3: “Gastric bypass surgery cures body image woes.” With all bariatric surgery procedures (gastric bypass, the sleeve, the banding procedure), the average weight loss is somewhere between 25 and 35 percent of initial body weight within the first 18 to 24 months after surgery. As patients lose weight in the first three to six months, they report significant improvements in body image. But after weight loss, many patients complain about loose hanging skin, which is why more than 50,000 Americans every year turn to plastic surgery following massive weight loss.
Assumption 4: “Liposuction, tummy tucks and other shape-altering surgeries transform body image.” After surgery, most people report improvements in physical appearance and body image. But in some cases, patients may be dissatisfied because of complications or scarring or because they had unrealistic expectations. Between five to 15 percent of patients who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder are preoccupied with a relatively slight defect in their appearance and typically don't report improvements in body image after undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Assumption 5: “Breast implants boost body image.” Surprisingly, seven studies worldwide have shown a rate of suicide two to three times greater among women who have undergone cosmetic breast augmentation.
About these statistics, Sarwer comments that it's likely these women had preexisting mental illness and is not a result of having surgery. One of the strongest predictors of a subsequent suicide is a history of psychiatric hospitalization.
Although weight loss and plastic surgery are not surefire guarantees of good body image, if you are obese, weight loss will certainly improve your overall health. For the rest of us, after improving appearance as much as time, money and good judgment will allow, the biggest challenge is to accept how we look.
For more, visit The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website at http://www.surgery.org/
About Us
Two years in the making. Extensive market research and testing. A goal to become THE beauty sites for all consumers interested in self-improvement. Project Beauty has the backing of one the leading medical authorities in Beauty - The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
But why does the world need MORE health and beauty information?
With the plethora of information out there, we have yet to find one source for all things beauty that is vetted through the leading authorities in their fields, that presents only safe and effective options and answers to 2200 board-certified plastic surgeons. That source is Project Beauty. Women and men have told us of their confusion: what treatments work? Which don’t? How can we tell if a product is legitimate or just marketing hype?
Project Beauty cuts through the clutter.
What about beauty news? What are the latest trends, fashions, beauty treatment options?
Project Beauty draws from experts as diverse as Steven Rice, of Samuel Shriqui Salon to Lisa Young, Ph.D., R.D., C.D.N. a nationally recognized nutrition consultant who has been counseling adults and children for more than 15 years. Instead of giving up the foods you love. If you’re looking for fashion, news and beauty treatments, we’ve got you covered.
But isn’t this just a plastic surgery site?
A resounding NO! Although brought to you by the world’s leading medical society for cosmetic surgery, NO doctors are featured on our site, NO inference is made to pursue plastic surgery options and No revenues are derived by physicians. Our Advisory Boards include experts from the entire spectrum of health and beauty.
So why Project Beauty?
Our community members and the public DESERVE real and accurate information. Hippocrates has us promising to a higher authority. It is our Mission and pledge to fulfill that promise in an entertaining and informative way.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment5 Comments
Body Image Is A Huge Issue Today! Just look at how much bullying and peer pressure kids have to deal with today. The internet spawned a new generation of kids that interact in ways older people never imagined!
April 26, 2013 - 6:06pmThis Comment
Thanks for the great post, I personally believe that weight loss and goal weight is a term that has so many meanings. I believe that you should trust the feeling you get when you have certain periods of success and feel encouraged from there. I have lost 10kg in the last 4 months with a gym routine and taking a natural supplement, i feel great and have never looked beter. Its each to their own a say, you can see what I used and follow me at http://phen375reviewx.net.
All the best and be Blessed.
December 1, 2012 - 8:48amThis Comment
Great post! I agree that it can be extremely difficult for a lot of people to lose weight and they give up on all these new, up-and-coming, improved methods that people have been getting a lot of results from. It's terrible because they turn to surgery, when sometimes that has to be the answer, but sometimes there is something else out there. I have a few reviews here http://weightlossreviews.thepowerofattracting.com/ of real people who are losing weight fast and they've also had trouble in doing so!
December 1, 2012 - 7:01amThis Comment
Its true that losing a lot of weight makes you have a better body image. I have recently lost a lot of weight and I feel so much better because of it . There are some reviews of some great weight loss programs on this site http://www.theweightlossproductreviewblog.com/
December 1, 2012 - 6:14amThis Comment
How about simply getting on all natural weight loss chewing gum Tonify? It works wonderful for us.......
December 1, 2012 - 3:19amThis Comment