A recent survey conducted in Norway reveals a growing trend of individuals, particularly men, seeking cosmetic surgery procedures, with a significant number experiencing lingering pain following their surgeries.
The survey, conducted by researchers from the Mind Body Lab at the University of Oslo, involved 1,746 adults in Norway. Participants were asked about their history of cosmetic surgery and any associated outcomes.
Results showed that one in ten respondents reported undergoing cosmetic procedures, ranging from breast augmentations or reductions to facelifts and intimate genital surgeries. Notably, three-quarters of those surveyed were women, and a quarter fell within the 18 to 29 age group.
Among the participants, one in eight reported experiencing pain lasting more than three months post-surgery, with men being five times more likely to be affected than women.
Sophia Engel, the lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of patients being well-informed about potential complications associated with cosmetic surgery. She highlighted the impact of chronic post-operative pain on both the healthcare system and individuals’ quality of life.
According to Engel, individuals experiencing prolonged pain after cosmetic surgery in Norway may require additional care from the public health system, potentially leading to work incapacity and reduced quality of life.
Led by Silje Endresen Reme, a psychology professor at the University of Oslo, the study represents the first comprehensive investigation into the prevalence of cosmetic surgery in Norway since 2008. Additionally, it sheds light on the occurrence of post-surgical pain among adults undergoing such procedures.
