PLASTIC SURGERY ON BODY IMAGE, BODY SATISFACTION AND SELF-ESTEEM.

INTRODUCTION: Plastic surgery is the medical specialty that enables moulding and reforming the human body. Cosmetic surgery can improve aesthetic appearance and subsequently self-esteem and self-confidence. Over the past 20 years, much of the research on the psychological aspects of aesthetic plastic surgery has focused on the psychological construct of body image. This study aims to investigate whether aesthetic surgery has an effect on an individual´s body image, body satisfaction and general self-esteem in the Cyprus population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Questionnaire data from 128 cosmetic surgery patients in a Plastic Surgery Clinic in Nicosia, obtained at two time points: one week before and three months after the surgery. The questionnaire was developed by the authors for the purpose of this study and consisted of measures on body image, body satisfaction and self-esteem. Pre- and postoperative values were compared. RESULTS: The majority were women (81.9%) and respondents mean age was 35.35 years. One out of two participants who responded has undergone breast augmentation (47.6%). Prior to treatment, only 7.3% of participants reported they were very satisfied with their physical appearance/body image, while after treatment this figure rose to 38.6%. Before treatment, 17.7% of the participants reported they felt bad/very bad about their body during sex and this dropped to 2.5% after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence of improvement in individuals satisfaction with their body image and self-confidence after an aesthetic surgery. .

Value systems and locus of control of people undergoing aesthetic surgery and their application in the work environment: a case study in Cyprus.

With the growth in elective aesthetic plastic surgery in recent years researchers are becoming increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of the procedure. The aim of this research in Cyprus was to describe the value systems and the locus of control of employees who have undergone aesthetic plastic surgery. A questionnaire comprising the Schwartz human value scale, the Rotter scale for locus of control and questions about the reason for surgery was completed by 75 employees in a range of occupations. The values rated as very/supremely important by > 80% of respondents were: preserving public image (power domain), being capable (achievement), pleasure and self-indulgence (hedonism), freedom and independence (self-direction) and being honest, helpful and responsible (benevolence). They also scored highly on politeness and honouring parents and elders (conformity domain) and family security and being clean (security). A small majority (54.7%) was classified as internal or extreme internal locus of control.

Value systems and locus of control of people undergoing aesthetic surgery and their application in the work environment: a case study in Cyprus

With the growth in elective aesthetic plastic surgery in recent years researchers are becoming increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of the procedure. The aim of this research in Cyprus was to describe the value systems and the locus of control of employees who have undergone aesthetic plastic surgery. A questionnaire comprising the Schwartz human value scale, the Rotter scale for locus of control and questions about the reason for surgery was completed by 75 employees in a range of occupations. The values rated as very/supremely important by > 80% of respondents were: preserving public image [power domain], being capable [achievement], pleasure and self-indulgence [hedonism], freedom and independence [self-direction] and being honest, helpful and responsible [benevolence]. They also scored highly on politeness and honouring parents and elders [conformity domain] and family security and being clean [security]. A small majority [54.7%] was classified as internal or extreme internal locus of control

Representations in plastic surgery: the impact of self-image and self-confidence in the work environment.

BACKGROUND: This research was initiated by the authors' conviction that many people currently pay great attention to their personal appearance, which is directly linked to their self-confidence. The external image of individuals appears to have a decisive influence on their behavior and personal choices regarding both their personal and professional lives. Accordingly, it can be assumed that appearance influences professional choices and development. Moreover, individuals associate increased self-confidence with positive social images. Therefore, the main variables used in this study were self-image, self-confidence, and work environment. METHODS: For the purpose of this study, the authors developed a questionnaire and distributed it to a sample of 100 women who had undergone aesthetic plastic surgery. The aim of the questionnaire was to discover the opinion of these women concerning the aforementioned assumptions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After the data processing and analysis, the authors concluded that the aforementioned variables are statistically significant and correlated.

Reconstruction of facial burn sequelae utilizing tissue expanders with embodiment injection site: case report.

Although highly specialized burn centers have significantly reduced mortality rates following extensive total body surface area burns, survivors are often left with grotesque facial disfigurement. Hypertrophic scars and tissue defects are the most common cause of functional and aesthetic problems in the head and neck region. Plastic surgeons use full-thickness or split-thickness skin grafts, pedicled flaps, free flaps, transplantation of bone or cartilage and tissue expansion. The authors present a case of a patient who suffered from third-degree flame burns to the face. Prior skin grafting procedures left him with severe scar deformity of the face. The patient was treated utilizing multiple tissue expansion. Facial animation has retained and facial integrity has been aesthetically restored and, with the use of make-up, it is near normal in social settings at conversational distances. The tissue expansion technique is advantageous in facial reconstruction because it makes it possible to resurface even wider defects with neighboring skin, similar in colour and texture, and superior to skin obtained elsewhere.

Immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 in UICC stage I and III colorectal carcinoma patients: correlation with c-erbB-2, p53, ki-67, CD44, laminin and collagen IV in evaluating prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of bcl-2 in UICC stage I and stage III (Dukes's stage B and C) colorectal adenocarcinoma and to examine its association with clinicopathological features, c-erbB-2, p53, ki-67, CD44, laminin and collagen IV and long term outcome. METHODS: Paraffin embedded specimens from 61 patients with UICC stage I (Dukes's stage B) and 39 patients with UICC stage III (Dukes's stage C) colorectal adenocarcinoma who were treated with surgery were assessed. We determined by immunohistochemistry the expression of bcl-2, c-erB-2, p53, ki-67, CD44, laminin and collagen IV with 5 year follow up. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic staining of the bcl-2 gene product was seen in the tumour cells of 27 cases (27%). Expression of bcl-2 protein was unrelated to patient sex, age, tumour site or tumour grade, but was related to tumour stage (p = 0.012). No significant association was demonstrated between bcl-2 and c-erbB-2, p53 or CD44. However, there was very strong evidence of correlation between bcl-2 staining and ki-67, laminin and collagen IV. There was a trend towards increased survival in patients whose tumours expressed bcl-2 protein. When a correlation between bcl-2 and the other markers had been made the positive expression of bcl-2 was beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study would suggest that expression of bcl-2 appear to be useful in selecting a group of colorectal cancer patients with a better prognosis.

Prognostic evaluation of CD44 expression in correlation with bcl-2 and p53 in colorectal cancer.

To investigate the expression of CD44 in colorectal cancer and examine its association with clinicopathological features, bcl-2, p53 and long-term outcome, paraffin-embedded tumour specimens from 61 patients with Dukes stage B (AJCC/UICC stage I) and 39 patients with Dukes stage C (AJCC/UICC stage III) colorectal adenocarcinoma were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of CD44, bcl-2 and p53 were correlated with 5-year follow-up. Low CD44 expression was present in 30%, moderate in 30% and extensive in 40% of cases. It was not related to patient sex and age but was related to tumour differentiation, stage and tumour site. No association was demonstrated between CD44 and bcl-2. However, there was significant evidence of an association between CD44 and p53 in 66 cases in which p53 was previously assessed. There was a trend towards increased survival in patients whose tumours expressed lower levels of CD44 protein. When entered into multivariate analysis model, which also included bcl-2 and p53, CD44 staining emerged as an indicator of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.