Presse Med
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To evaluate the effect of cosmetic surgery in patients with a minimal defect in appearance, with and without body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), 5 years after their request for plastic surgery. ⋯ This prospective study confirms that cosmetic surgery is not effective against BDD despite patients' reported satisfaction. Cosmetic surgery had no significant effects on BDD diagnosis, handicap or psychiatric comorbidity in BDD patients 5 years after surgery. Furthermore, BDD appeared at follow-up in some subjects not initially diagnosed. Patients' reported satisfaction with surgery may help explain why some plastic surgeons do not consider BDD a complete contraindication to cosmetic surgery.