Plastic surgery regret can be deeply disorienting. You may have hoped to feel more confident—but instead, you feel sad, anxious, or even disconnected from your reflection. Whether it was a rushed decision, an outcome you didn’t expect, or a procedure driven by emotional pain, regret after surgery is more common than people admit. And you deserve space to grieve, process, and heal—without shame.
How to Deal with Regret After Plastic Surgery?
1. Acknowledge That Regret Doesn’t Make You Shallow
Regret doesn’t mean you’re vain or ungrateful—it means you had hopes that weren’t fully met. Say to yourself:
“I thought this would bring peace, and it didn’t. That’s allowed to hurt.”
2. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve the “Before”
You may miss the face or body you had—even if others say you look “better.” Grieving a part of yourself is valid, even if the change was your choice.
3. Let Go of the Pressure to Love the Results Right Away
You don’t have to force positivity. It’s okay if you’re not in love with the outcome. Acceptance takes time—and sometimes, neutrality is enough for now.
4. Be Honest About Why You Did It
Ask:
“Was I trying to fix a deeper emotional wound?”
Understanding your motivation can help you process regret with self-compassion, not self-blame.
Related: Struggling with Body Image? These Worksheets Support Healing and Self-Acceptance
5. Avoid Obsessing Over Mirrors or Photos
When regret kicks in, it’s tempting to keep checking, comparing, or overanalyzing. Set limits. Give your brain a break from the hyper-focus on your appearance.
6. Seek Support From a Therapist Who Understands Body Image Issues
A therapist can help you untangle regret from shame, body dysmorphia, or past trauma that may have influenced your decision. Healing starts with being heard.
7. Step Away From Beauty Content That Fuels Doubt
Mute social media accounts that promote constant procedures or perfection. Let your feed support your healing—not your self-criticism.
Related: What Is A Distorted Self Image & How To Build A Positive One?
8. Focus on What You Still Recognize and Love About Yourself
Even if something feels different, you are still here. Your humor, heart, voice, values—these are untouched. Anchor back into the parts of you that never changed.
9. Take a Break From More Procedures
It’s tempting to “fix” the regret with another surgery. But pause. Give yourself emotional space to process before making new changes that might be reactionary.
10. Speak to Yourself Like a Friend
Would you shame someone you love for making a choice that didn’t turn out as expected? No. You’d offer comfort. Do the same for yourself:
“You made a choice from where you were. You were doing your best. You’re still worthy of love.”
Related: Top 5 Body Dysmorphia Exercises (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For BDD)
Conclusion
Regret after plastic surgery is not a failure—it’s a feeling, and one that deserves to be met with kindness. Healing isn’t about pretending you’re okay—it’s about letting yourself be okay, even in the discomfort. You can feel regret and still reclaim self-acceptance. You can grieve a decision and still grow from it. And no matter what changed—you are still you.
