Cosmetic surgery may promise a new nose, flatter stomach, or fuller curves—but for many patients, the outcome isn’t just disappointing… it’s life-altering in the worst way. A new study from The Schiller Kessler Group finds that as many as 65% of cosmetic surgery patients experience “decision regret”—a term used to describe dissatisfaction, distress, or emotional harm after undergoing a procedure meant to enhance one’s appearance.
This statistic, pulled from a growing body of national medical research—including data from the National Library of Medicine, ScienceDirect, and iCliniq- underscores a growing concern: that many patients are undergoing surgery without fully understanding the risks, recovery, or realities of their decision. In some cases, the regret isn’t just emotional—it’s rooted in serious medical complications, scarring, infections, or long-term physical harm.
“Deciding on plastic surgery is a huge step, and too often, the results are disappointing,” says Marc Schiller, founding partner of The Schiller Kessler Group. “People think they’re buying confidence or happiness—but what they often receive is pain, debt, or regret. It’s vital that patients are thoroughly informed before making such a permanent decision.”
Breaking Down the Regret: Which Procedures Carry the Highest Risk of Disappointment?
While many patients pursue plastic surgery with high hopes, the study shows that the level of dissatisfaction varies significantly by procedure. According to the data:
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Breast Reconstruction – 47.1% of patients reported regret
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Body Contouring (e.g., liposuction, buttock lifts) – 33.3% regret rate
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Breast Augmentation – 9.1% regret rate
Breast reconstruction, often performed after mastectomy, carries the highest regret levels, possibly due to emotional expectations around body image recovery. Meanwhile, body contouring procedures, often sold as a “quick fix,” have a surprisingly high rate of post-surgical disappointment, with many patients citing pain, contour irregularities, or uneven results.
Medical Tourism: Bargains Abroad Come at a Cost
The Schiller Kessler Group’s research also sheds light on the growing risks associated with traveling overseas for cheaper surgery, also known as medical tourism. According to data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 57% of patients who sought cosmetic surgery abroad paid less than $5,700 total, including travel and accommodation. However, 66% of them said they would not repeat the experience.
Many overseas clinics cut costs by skipping safety protocols, failing to provide proper post-operative care, or using low-grade materials. Worse yet, legal recourse is often nearly impossible when procedures go wrong in other countries.
“Patients are enticed by the low cost, but they don’t realize the long-term risks—both medically and legally,” Schiller explains. “It’s heartbreaking when someone calls us from a hospital bed after a botched surgery in another country, unsure of what to do next.”
What Triggers ‘Decision Regret’?
According to iCliniq’s 2023 data, decision regret is caused by a range of physical, emotional, and financial factors, including:
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Unmet expectations – 33%
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Complications – 24%
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Scarring, pain, or extended recovery time
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Infections or poor surgical outcomes
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Inadequate pre-operative information – 17%
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Loss of confidence after surgery – 13%
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Financial strain or debt – 8%
The psychological aftermath of plastic surgery regret is often overlooked. Patients may experience body dysmorphia, anxiety, or depression, especially when their procedure was motivated by deeply personal insecurities. In some cases, the result is worse than the original concern.
“Cosmetic surgery is marketed as self-love, but when it goes wrong, it can completely destroy a person’s self-esteem,” Schiller says. “They’re left dealing with both emotional trauma and physical pain—and they often don’t know where to turn.”
Legal Recourse: When Regret Turns Into a Personal Injury Case
For patients who suffer serious injuries, disfigurement, or complications due to negligence, The Schiller Kessler Group provides critical legal support. The firm has handled a growing number of cases involving:
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Botched or negligent procedures
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Misrepresentation by surgeons or clinics
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Lack of informed consent
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Post-op infections and hospitalizations
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Long-term physical or emotional trauma
Many patients don’t realize that inadequate surgical outcomes—when caused by malpractice or negligence—may be grounds for compensation. This includes cases where patients were misled about the risks, were not given proper post-op care, or received treatment from unlicensed or underqualified practitioners.
“You have rights,” says Schiller. “If your surgeon failed you—whether through negligence, omission, or reckless treatment—you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.”
A Growing Problem, A Call for Awareness
As cosmetic procedures become more popular, particularly among young adults and social media users, the risk of regret rises. The desire for aesthetic “perfection” often overshadows the realities of surgery: long recoveries, risks of infection, imperfect outcomes, and permanent changes to one’s body.
The Schiller Kessler Group urges patients to seek second opinions, ask difficult questions, and thoroughly research providers and procedures before signing the dotted line.
