[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) › [Adult health and psychosocial care](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/areas/adult-health/) › Self-concept and body image after illness or surgery # Self-concept and body image after illness or surgery - Fundamental Losing a body part or function, or living with a stoma or scar, changes how a person sees themself; the nurse helps them adapt step by step. Updated Nov 12, 2026 ## Key points - Body image is part of self-concept and is closely tied to self-esteem. - A change in the body is a loss: expect grief reactions (denial, anger, sadness) before adaptation. - Looking at, touching and caring for the change (for example, the stoma) is a sign of adaptation; it is encouraged, not forced. - Hiding, isolation, refusing to look or self-rejection that persists suggests poor coping and is reported. - Care for the person, not only the wound or the stoma. ## What it is Self-concept is the set of ideas and feelings a person has about who they are; body image is the part that concerns how they see and feel about their own body, closely linked to self-esteem. Surgery (an ostomy, a mastectomy, an amputation), visible scars, hair loss, weight change or the loss of a function can be experienced as a loss and grieved like one. People may at first feel estranged from their body, hide it, fear the looks of others and withdraw socially; many adapt gradually and come to accept the change as part of themselves. Nursing care treats the person as a whole, not as a body part to be managed: it gives time, listens, teaches self-care, involves the family and watches for signs of poor coping. ## Key points - Losses can be of a body part, a function, appearance, independence or a social role. - Adaptation is gradual and differs from person to person. - Adaptive coping: seeking information, support, expressing emotions; maladaptive: avoidance, withdrawal, substance misuse. - The reaction of family and staff (looks, comments) strongly influences the patient. ## Components - Body image: how the person perceives and feels about their body. - Self-esteem: how much the person values themself. - Role and identity: work, family and social roles that may change with the illness. ## What it is for - Guides emotional support before and after surgery. - Supports learning of self-care and return to social life. - Detects people who need psychological support or referral. ## In nursing practice - Before surgery, explain what the body will look like and how it will be cared for; where available, offer contact with peer support groups. - Let the patient choose the pace to look at and touch the change; stay neutral in face and words during care. - Teach self-care in small steps so the patient regains control. - Ask about sexuality, clothing, work and social life: these are common worries. - Refer to psychology or support services when distress persists or there are signs of depression. ## Common mistakes - Showing disgust or haste during care of a stoma or wound. - Forcing the patient to look at the change before they are ready. - Talking only about the technical care and not about feelings. - Ignoring that men, older adults and people without a partner can also be deeply affected. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is body image and how does it relate to self-concept? Body image is how a person perceives and feels about their own body. It is part of self-concept and is closely linked to self-esteem. ## What signs suggest that a patient is adapting to a stoma? Looking at and touching the stoma, taking part in its care, talking about it and gradually returning to social activities. ## Which signs suggest poor coping with a change in body image? Persistent refusal to look at the change, hiding, social withdrawal, self-rejection or signs of depression. They are reported and may need referral. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/nursing/self-concept-and-body-image-after-illness-or-surgery/) ## Connections ## Related 4 - [Ostomy care: changing the pouch and assessing the stoma](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/ostomy-care-changing-the-pouch-and-assessing-the-stoma/) - [Sexuality and sexual health in nursing care](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/sexuality-and-sexual-health-in-nursing-care/) - [Postoperative care on the ward: the first 24–48 hours](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/postoperative-care-on-the-ward-the-first-24-48-hours/) - [Therapeutic communication: techniques and barriers](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/therapeutic-communication-techniques-and-barriers/) [← All of nursing](https://durgical.com/en/nursing/) Educational content for students; it does not replace your institution's protocols, supervised clinical training or a prescriber's order. Dose-calculation examples use made-up numbers: they are educational, not a clinical order. Sources: [Body consciousness of people with intestinal stoma: a phenomenological study](https://scielo.br/j/reben/a/8hH49PgkSQ586NmwbRXDPnt/?lang=en) (Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (SciELO), 2018); [Nursing Fundamentals, 17.2: Grief and loss, basic concepts](https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Nursing/Nursing_Fundamentals_(OpenRN)/17%3A_Grief_and_Loss/17.02%3A_Basic_Concepts) (Open RN, Wisconsin Technical College System (CC BY 4.0), LibreTexts, 2021); [Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts, 3.3: Coping](https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Nursing/Nursing%3A_Mental_Health_and_Community_Concepts_(OpenRN)/03%3A_Stress_Coping_and_Crisis_Intervention/3.03%3A_Coping) (Open RN, Wisconsin Technical College System (CC BY 4.0), LibreTexts, 2022). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/nursing/self-concept-and-body-image-after-illness-or-surgery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/nursing/self-concept-and-body-image-after-illness-or-surgery/