Skip to main content
Log in

The place of the patient in society

  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although the need for plastic surgery in individuals with disfigured faces or congenital abnormalities is widely recognized, the equally strong need by those with aesthetic defects for such surgery has historically been less widely accepted. Yet such individuals may suffer irreparable psychological damage as a result of their visible difference from others in their culture. A society's valuations of an individual's features can strongly affect behavior and attitudes, and should be considered as a valid justification for aesthetic plastic surgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Höhler, H: Changes in facial expression as a result of plastic surgery in mongoloid children. Aesth Plast Surg1:245, 1977

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Macgregor FC: Sociological aspects of facial deformities. Master's dissertation, University of Missouri, 1947

  3. Macgregor FC, Abel TM, Bryt A, Lauer E, Weissman S: Facial Deformities and Plastic Surgery: A Psychosocial Study. Charles C Thomas; Springfield, Ill, 1953, pp 75–78

    Google Scholar 

  4. Macgregor FC: Social and cultural components in the motivations of persons seeking plastic surgery of the nose. J Health Soc Behav8: No. 2, 1967

  5. Macgregor, FC: Transformation and Identity: The Face and Plastic Surgery. Eterna Press: Oak Brook, Ill, 1980, p 128

    Google Scholar 

  6. West G: Darwin. Yale University Press: New Haven, 1938, p 89

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Macgregor, F.C. The place of the patient in society. Aesth. Plast. Surg. 5, 19–26 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01981678

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01981678

Key words

Navigation