Around one-fifth of cosmetic surgery patients are referred to a psychologist because of unrealistic expectations about the impact surgery will have on their state of mind, it has been revealed.
According to nationwide cosmetic surgery clinic Mybreast, many patients - including both men and women - show signs of poor body image.
In these cases, they tend to be referred to a clinical psychologist who assesses whether or not cosmetic surgery is appropriate for them.
Mybreast consultant plastic surgeon Barbara Jemec said that people can have "unrealistic expectations" about what they will get out of going under the knife.
She explained: "There are patients who you know will not be helped by plastic surgery on the level they think it will.
"Yes, it will boost self-confidence, but it won't change everything. In the case of liposuction, for example, it can't make a fat person thin."
Mybreast was set up by five leading plastic surgeons who were keen to provide the highest standards of breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery.
A variety of procedures are available, ranging from breast augmentation and reduction to ear correction and labiaplasty.
