With more than 8.5 million aesthetic surgeries performed each year, how do the people who have cosmetic procedures feel once they have them done? A new study seeks to provide answers.

Published in Clinical Psychological Science, the study looks at 550 first-time plastic surgery patients and finds that they are happier, have higher self-esteem, and enjoy life more a year after their surgeries compared to 264 who wanted plastic surgery but decided against it, and about 1,000 people who were never interested in plastic surgery.

The researchers tested the patients (and those who chose not to have surgery) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. For the most part, patients who had undergone surgery were satisfied with their results and stated they had achieved their aesthetic goals. In addition, receiving cosmetic surgery appeared to lead to decreased anxiety and depression while increasing life satisfaction and quality of life, among others.

While plastic surgery isn’t for everyone, it seems the overwhelming majority of those who seek it appropriately are pleased with the positive changes in their lives.