Body Image Ratings for Turkish Versus Non-Turkish Medical Tourists Presenting for Aesthetic Surgery

Abstract

Cultural influences may affect women's attitudes toward their bodies and their desire to undergo cosmetic surgery. This study aims to compare body appreciation and the acceptance of aesthetic surgery among Turkish versus non-Turkish medical tourists presenting for aesthetic surgery. We used the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS) to measure these variables. We observed significant differences in the average BAS scores between Turkish and non-Turkish participants (p < .01), which were indicative of varying levels of body appreciation. However, we found no significant differences in the ACSS scores, both in the subdimension scores and the total scores (p > .05). We also noted a significant positive correlation between the BAS and ACSS scores among Turkish and non-Turkish medical tourists (p < .01). This pioneering study underscores the importance of culturally informed health care for patients undergoing aesthetic surgery. Recognizing the cultural backgrounds of women may enhance their body appreciation and acceptance of cosmetic procedures. Integrating this knowledge into clinical practice may enable plastic surgery teams to provide more sensitive and effective care. Copyright © 2025 International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses. All rights reserved.