Year after year, thousands of people go under the knife to improve their physical appearance through plastic surgery. The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word plastikos which means “to mold or shape. ”1 In an HBO documentary, one of the doctors interviewed in the film explained that the origins of plastic surgery can be traced back to the First World War, when many soldiers suffered gunshot wounds to the face. 2 Doctors found ways to help these disfigured veterans to regain what they could in physical appearance to be able to face the public.
Today, plastic surgery is a booming business. The industry is the United States alone, is said to be worth a staggering US $ 15 billion. 3 According to the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), nearly 11. 5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were performed in 2005. It is a great industry in other countries like Britain but more so for Asia’s Thailand and Korea which offer cheaper services than their Western counterparts. 4 1. “Why The Plastic In Plastic Surgery” (2005) [database online] available from http://www. cosmeticsurgery. com. pk/pc_plasticsurgery. php 2.
“HBO Plastic Disasters,” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. hbo. com/docs/programs/plasticdisasters/synopsis. html 3. Miranda Devine. “They’re so beautiful they could just die,” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. smh. com. au/news/opinion/theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just-die/2007/02/02/1169919532260. html 4.
“American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Reports 1 Percent Increase in Surgical Procedures. ” (2005) [database online] available from http://www. smh. com. au/news/opinion/theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just-die/2007/02/02/1169919532260.html The Advantages of Plastic Surgery Necessity for Reconstruction.
As previously mentioned, plastic surgery used to be primarily for reconstructing the destroyed features of soldiers who have lost their former physical appearances to bravery in battle. Doctors began to recognize that these horrible disfigurements, which often made the men social outcasts, could be just as devastating as having a serious illness, and developed innovative techniques to reconstruct the face. 5 Nowadays, accidents happen not only on the battlefield but in everyday life as well.
For example, in 1997, a Taiwanese entertainer named Ching Wei took a television role that resulted in an accident that covered him with third degree burns. Five years and $60,000 worth of surgery later, Ching is an award-winning media personality and owner of his own communications company.
Plastic surgery helped him regain his composure and confidence in life through implanted hair, skin repair and retina restoration among others. Health Risks. Aside from reconstruction needed after severe accidental destruction to a particular part of the body, some people are advised by their doctors to seek the help of plastic surgeons to avoid health risks of problems like obesity which is known to trigger heart diseases and diabetes. Surgery is recommended for people with a body mass index higher than 40, which means they are roughly 100 pounds or more overweight.
6 The usual surgical method used is called gastric bypass and this makes an individual 5. HBO 6. “Weight-loss surgery: 4% die in a year,” (2005). [database online] available http://www. steadyhealth. com/Weight_loss_surgery__4__die_in_a_year_t57254. html lose around 2/3 of the excess weight during the first year. Advantages to Career.
There are people who believe that plastic surgery can help them improve their lives by being able to get better jobs. This is the reason why most men go under the knife. Tsai Tou, a Taiwanese comedian, did not at all look attractive when he started his career in show business. Although he did well as comedic relief, he wanted to get hosting jobs and he knew his face would not pass public opinion. He underwent plastic surgery to put folds on his eyelids, eradicate his eye bags and erased his wrinkles. A face fee of bags and wrinkles, Tsai explains, captures the “trustworthy” look that TV viewers prefer. 7
One cannot disregard that good looks are a plus factor in getting almost any job. When faced with two applicants with almost the same qualifications, an employer would obviously choose the one who looks better. This tight competition in the workforce can push people towards seeking plastic surgical help. Feeling Beautiful Makes One Feel Good. One of the best ways to become confident of one’s self is to ensure that one looks good. Having higher cheekbones, better-shaped noses, less wrinkles, a slimmer body, and even fuller breasts can boost someone’s self-esteem enough and can help give a better outlook in life.
7. Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, “Changing Faces” (2006) [database online] available from http://www. time. com/time/asia/covers/1101020805/story. html Women are not the only ones who think this way. A sample of this can be seen on blogs over the internet. A 24 year old male had gynecomastia plastic surgery and is on the net writing about it. He says that he wakes up everyday with a sense of confidence that he didn’t have before and that he looks forward to taking his shirt off once the scars had completely healed.
8 Aside from gynecomastia plastic surgery, men are also likely to undergo hair transplantation and breast reduction surgery. 9 Disadvantages of Plastic Surgery Work and Normal Life Can Be Disrupted. Although some surgical clinics claim that life can quickly get back to normal after a surgical operation, recuperation periods, just like ordinary medical surgeries can take time. A nose job can allow a person to go back to work in 4 to 5 days but the gross swelling subsides in 6 months. Facelift surgeries require 5 to 7 days of recuperation period but one will only be ready to face the world after two weeks.
Breast surgery allows a person to get back to work within a week as long as she does not lift more than 10 pounds. 10 Beware of Unlicensed Surgeons. There are many cases of plastic surgeries gone bad and most can be accredited to unlicensed practitioners who offer cheaper services. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Darryl Hodgkinson, says he spends nearly 70% of his time operating on patients who are dissatisfied with previous cosmetic surgery caused by unskilled 8.
Mendy, “Worried about Plastic Surgery? ” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth.com/gynecomastia_plastic_surgery_t110973. html 9. Simone, “Guaranteed Weight Loss. ” (2007). [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/Cosmetic_surgery_rates_go_up_t116459. html 10.
“Why the Plastic In Plastic Surgery” surgeons. 11 The problem with plastic surgery is that if the results are not satisfactory, one is left with only two choices: to accept what was done or to have another operation to fix the problem. Invasive and Painful. Depending on the procedure you’re considering, cosmetic surgeries are sometimes invasive and painful, and recovery time can range from a day to six months.
12 Though risks such as blindness, blood clots, and serious lung problems are rare, it is critical to be aware of these possible outcomes. 13 It is known that most women who undergo breast surgery have at least on complication within the first 3 years some of which are infection, hematomas, capsular contracture and loss of nipple sensation. 14 Some people are more at risk of complications such as smokers, overweight people, or people who are taking certain medications such as oral contraceptives or blood thinners.
15 11. “Cosmetic Surgery Gone Wrong” (2007) [database online] available from http://health.ninemsn. com. au/article. aspx? id=2552. 12. “The Good The Bad and The Ugly of Plastic Surgery”(2007) [database online] available from http://www. cosmeticsurgeryinsider. net/considering-cosmetic-plastic-surgery/pros-and-cons. aspx 13. Kathryn D’Imperio, “Breaking the Balance: Cosmetic Surgery Pros, Cons and Risk Factors,” [database online] available from http://free-beauty-tips. glam. com/cosmeticsurgery. html. 14. Bobbi. “What are the Risks? ” (2006). [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/risks_of_plastic_surgery_t61325. html 15.
Saechao, “Plastic surgery Risks,” (2006). Available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/plastic_surgery_risks_t65883. html Fatal Aspects. A list of fatalities is easy to obtain to show how deadly plastic surgery can be. In 2000, the American journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported on a study that found a death rate as high as 20 in every 100,000 patients who underwent liposuction, higher than the death rate for car accidents. 16 In a recent study, death occurred in one of every 51, 459 cases, which is enough to be concerned.
17 A plastic surgion, Dr. Alton Ingram Jr., 38, of Pompano Beach, is facing intense public scrutiny in the wake of the unsuccessful cosmetic surgery he performed on Olga Myers, 42. who remained on life support in Broward General Medical Center, until her death. 18 Conclusion The world’s present lifestyle changes has also altered the way beauty is defined.
No matter how hard we try to believe that beauty is found within, physical attributes can affect the way we view ourselves. Although many people are pressured to go under the knife to improve their appearances, one must understand that plastic surgery is still an operation that could affect the rest of the body.
The results of an operation may not also reflect the image we thought we would get and therefore cause additional problems. Plastic surgery is a major risk to anyone’s health and rather than suffer consequences that can lead to death, a better solution might be to accept what one has and be content. 16. Devine 17. Antonetti. “Plastic Surgery Risks,” (2006) [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/plastic_surgery_risks_t65883. html 18. NBC 6 News Team. “Broward Woman Dies In Plastic Surgery Gone Awry,” (2002) [database online] available from http://www.nbc6. net/news/1600015/detail. html.
Bibliography “American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Reports 1 Percent Increase in Surgical Procedures. ” (2005) [database online] available from http://www. smh. com. au/news/opinion/theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just-die/2007/02/02 /1169919532260. html Antonetti. “Plastic Surgery Risks,” (2006) [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/plastic_surgery_risks_t65883. html Bobbi. “What are the Risks? ” (2006). [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/risks_of_plastic_surgery_t61325. html
“Cosmetic Surgery Gone Wrong” (2007) [database online] available from http://health. ninemsn. com. au/article. aspx? id=2552. Devine, Miranda. “They’re so beautiful they could just die,” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. smh. com. au/news/opinion/theyre-so-beautiful-they- could- just-die/2007/02/02/1169919532260. html D’Imperio, Kathryn. “Breaking the Balance: Cosmetic Surgery Pros, Cons and Risk Factors,” [database online] available from http://free-beauty-tips. glam. com/cosmeticsurgery. html.
“HBO Plastic Disasters,” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. hbo.com/docs/programs/plasticdisasters/synopsis. html NBC 6 News Team. “Broward Woman Dies In Plastic Surgery Gone Awry,” (2002) [database online] available from http://www. nbc6. net/news/1600015/detail. html. Mendy, “Worried about Plastic Surgery? ” (2007) [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/gynecomastia_plastic_surgery_t110973. html Saechao, “Plastic surgery Risks,” (2006).
Available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/plastic_surgery_risks_t65883. html Simone, “Guaranteed Weight Loss. ” (2007). [database online] available from http://www. steadyhealth. com/Cosmetic_surgery_rates_go_up_t116459. html.
Takeuchi Cullen, Lisa. “Changing Faces” (2006) [database online] available from http://www. time. com/time/asia/covers/1101020805/story. html “The Good The Bad and The Ugly of Plastic Surgery”(2007) [database online].
Available from http://www. cosmeticsurgeryinsider. net/considering-cosmetic-plastic- surgery/pros-and-cons. aspx “Weight-loss surgery: 4% die in a year,” (2005). [database online] available http://www. steadyhealth. com/Weight_loss_surgery__4__die_in_a_year_t57254. html “Why The Plastic In Plastic Surgery” (2005) [database online] available from http://www. cosmeticsurgery. com. pk/pc_plasticsurgery. php.