In the wake of Michael Jackson's sudden death, it seems like an opportune time to think for a moment about body image. The self-styled "King of Pop" was also widely known as the "King of Plastic Surgery." Yet he was reportedly never satisfied with his appearance.
Everyone seems to agree that Michael Jackson took plastic surgery to a ridiculous extreme. Unfortunately, the singer was far from alone in undergoing several cosmetic procedures. In fact, most sources agree that about two-thirds of people who undergo one surgery return for at least one more procedure. Many of these can be classified as "plastic surgery addicts."
The situation has not gone unnoticed. Both American and British professional societies have issued warnings to plastic surgeons and patients not to go overboard. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons advises members to be on the lookout for people with "imagined ugly syndrome" and those who are vague about what aspect of their appearance bothers them and why. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons cautions people considering multiple procedures that eventually they will cease to look like themselves.
Of course, the majority of people who undergo more than one cosmetic procedure are perfectly rational patients with reasonable goals. After all, breast implants occasionally need replacing. And it's not uncommon for women to choose more than one procedure to combat the signs of aging or for a "mommy makeover." But it's the Joyce Wildensteins (Google the name if you haven't seen photos) and yes, the Michael Jacksons of the world, who demonstrate what can happen when someone becomes a "plastic surgery addict."
Speaking very generally, those who undergo several or even dozens of plastic surgeries seem to fall into two categories. The most widely recognized, and most serious, of surgery triggers is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). First identified more than 100 years ago, BDD is a condition that causes a person to have an inaccurate view of their appearance and even a hatred for one or more body parts or areas of the body. They may seek surgery after surgery without making peace with the way they look. Taken to an extreme, people with BDD may not be able to function in society. There's no agreement on the cause of BDD, and unfortunately suicide rates among sufferers are almost twice as high as those for the general population.
There's another group of patients who seek multiple procedures--and the numbers are growing. These are people who are hooked on the high they feel after plastic surgery. An English psychologist who treats plastic surgery addicts described the process this way. "People can become addicted to the anticipation, the excitement and the attention they receive. There is a short-lived result of feeling fabulous. But the post-procedure high fades, life goes back to normal and all the mundane problems come back so you need to go for another fix." This doctor and others have noted that the first surgery is the highest hurdle. After that, it's a much shorter leap to the second, third, fourth and beyond.
Although this phenomenon that leads to plastic surgery addiction is less serious than BDD, there are important similarities. Obviously, patients with these conditions are focused on their physiques to an unhealthy point. In fact, it’s to the point where they feel many of their troubles stem from something not quite right with their bodies. Equally obvious is that without some kind of treatment, intervention or other positive step, these folks will never be satisfied with their looks, no matter how many surgeries they sign up for.
If you know someone who seems inordinately obsessed with her looks, perhaps a friend who checks her appearance frequently or who is hyper-critical of her body, talk with her and see what you can find out. If you're acquainted with someone talking about a third, fourth or fifth surgical procedure, give some thought to what might really be going on. Perhaps it's time to find some help for someone who deserves better.
We all want to look our best, and we all feel great when we're generally satisfied with our appearance. But true joy in life comes from elsewhere. It comes from a loving family, from a network of friends, from feeling healthy and strong, from pursuing what you love, from helping others. Not from striving for what's unattainable anyway: the perfect look.
I didn't know Michael Jackson at all, or even follow his career for the most part. But somehow I have the idea that he didn't have much help with his body image.
We all deserve better.