Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether antidepressant use was affected by the performance of cosmetic surgery.

Methods: Over a twelve month period, 362 consecutive patients undergoing elective cosmetic surgery were questioned regarding their use of antidepressant medications. Six months following surgery, patients were surveyed on their use of antidepressant medications, and whether the surgery had changed “the way they felt about themselves.”

Results: Of the 362 patients, 83% (Group A, n=301) were not taking antidepressants preoperatively, and 17% (Group B, n=61) were taking antidepressants preoperatively. The two groups were similar regarding age, gender, and types of surgery performed. Post-operatively, 5% (N=15) of the 301 patients in Group A began taking antidepressants after surgery, a 4% change in antidepressant use. In group B, 42 of the 61 patients on antidepressants before surgery were still taking them post-operatively; this represented a 31% decrease in antidepressant use. The differences in antidepressant use were statistically significant (P<.05). 99% of patients in group A and 98% of patients in group B claimed that the cosmetic surgery had “improved” their self esteem.

Conclusion: In this study, there was a 31% decrease in the use of antidepressant medication taken after a cosmetic procedure. While the etiology of anxiety and depression is multifactorial, this study suggests the possibility that cosmetic surgery may influence the use of antidepressant medication.
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