Motivating factors for patients seeking rhytidectomies: An exploratory qualitative analysis.

Abstract

Rhytidectomy (facelift surgery) is commonly sought for aesthetic enhancement, yet little research has explored broader psychosocial motivations behind this aesthetic procedure. This study aimed to identify the underlying psychosocial factors motivating patients to pursue rhytidectomy. A retrospective, single-centre qualitative study was conducted on 131 consenting patients who presented for rhytidectomy between July 2023 and June 2024. Patients completed a structured questionnaire, and responses were analysed via thematic coding and descriptive statistics. The cohort was predominately female (88%) with a mean age of 53.7 years. Using thematic analysis, six key motivational domains were identified: 1) Aesthetic concerns (97.7%), 2) Desire for self-control over aging (53.4%), 3) Anticipation of positive emotions (33.6%), 4) Improved self-confidence/self-esteem (29.8%), 5) Social adversity concerns (6.9%) and 6) Employment-related expectations (6.9%). No statistically significant associations were found between motivational domains and patient age or psychiatric history. These findings suggest that while aesthetic improvement remains a primary driver, patients' decisions to pursue rhytidectomy are often shaped by more nuanced psychological and social factors. Accordingly, surgeons are recommended to consider these multifaceted drivers during pre-operative consultations to align expectations, optimise satisfaction, and collectively improve holistic care. Future research should explore the long-term psychosocial outcomes of these motivational profiles.