From the book Psychocybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Discovery of the self-image explains is the common denominator - the determining factor in all our failures as well as our success. The secret is this: To really "live", that is, to find life reasonably satisfying, you must have an adequate and realistic self-image that you can live with. You must find yourself acceptable to "you". You must have a wholesome self-esteem. You must have a self that you can trust and believe in. You must have a self that you are not ashamed to "be," and one that you can feel free to express creatively rather than hide or cover up. You must have a self that corresponds to reality, so that you can function effectively in the real world. You must know yourself - both your strengths and your weaknesses-and be honest with yourself concerning both. Your self-image must be a reasonable approximation of "you," being neither more than you nor less than you are.

When this self-image is intact and secure, you feel good. When it is threatened, you feel anxious and insecure. When your self-image is adequate and one that you can be wholesomely proud of, you feel self-confident. You feel free to "be yourself" and to express yourself. You function at your optimum. When it is an object of shame, you attempt to hide it rather than express it. Creative expression is blocked. You become hostile and hard to get alone with. (and im sure we all know someone like that)

If a scar on the face of a skilled swordsman enhances his self image as it is a proud battle scar, self-esteem and self confidence are increased. If that same scar detracts from the self image on the face of say a salesman, loss of self-esteem and self-confidence results.

When a facial disfigurement is corrected by plastic surgery, dramatic psychological changes result ONLY if there is a corresponding correction of the mutilated self-image. Sometimes the image of a disfigured 'self' persist even after successful plastic surgery, much the same as the "phantom limb" may continue to feel pain years after the physical arm or leg has been amputated, and so the new face with a weak self-image continue to see an ugly person in the mirror as the inner self has not changed to match the new and improved face.

( P.S I'm part of an awesome facebook community where we discuss dating and self development tips. Feel free to join, ask questions or even give advice to someone else who has a question https://www.facebook.com/groups/moaforum )