COSMETIC BREAST AUGMENTATION AND EATING DISORDERS

Aims. To comment on the relation between eating disorders and requests for cosmetic surgery in some women. Methods. We report two cases of w omen who were accepted for cosmetic breast augmentation while sufferin g from current anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Results. For both women, the motivation for seeking cosmetic surgery was directly related to th e body image distortion and dissatisfaction which were an inherent par t of the eating disorder. Conclusion. It is our contention that women with eating disorders require treatment to address the distortion in b ody image, and the belief that cosmetic surgery will result in satisfa ction with their bodies. Screening for eating disorders and body image disturbance should be a routine part of assessment for cosmetic surge ry.