PLASTIC SURGERY

Plastic surgery



Plastic surgery

Plastic Surgery

We live in a culture where people are valued because of their looks. If someone doesn't like what they look like, there are numerous options for them to change their appearance. One of these options is the ever growing trend of plastic surgery. “Plastic surgery represents a particular application of plastic surgery, in which the operative competence of the discipline is focused not on the correction of pathological disorders, but on the correction of some morphologic traits not accepted by the patients” (Ferraro, Rossano, D'Andrea 2005).

This type of surgery is growing in popularity, while also being fueled by a culture of youthful attractiveness, and unprecedented affluence. Plastic surgery has become something to entertain the public instead of fixing something that's wrong. There are many TV “makeover” shows that keep us watching every week because of the amazing work they can do. We can see an ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan in a matter of hours. Who would have thought that our world would have come to this? The plastic surgery craze has gone from being one of the only options in third world countries of fixing natural deformities to creating an unhealthy overemphasis on physical appearance to society.

Background

Not so long ago, it was mostly Hollywood stars and the wealthy elite who would disappear for a few days to have a little “work” done, but now plastic surgery is a lifestyle choice for people of all ages and bank accounts. In 2005, more than 9 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States — a 25 % increase over 2000 (Friedman, 2005). Americans spent more than $12 billion on surgical and non-surgical procedures to improve their looks in 2005, including nearly 3 million Botox injections to eliminate wrinkles, more than 300,000 liposuctions, more than 250,000 breast augmentations and 300,000 nose jobs (Friedman, 2005). This tells us that plastic surgery is not only reaching everyone from middle-class teenagers to aging baby boomers, but that plastic surgery is something that people will do to better their appearance no matter what the cost.

During World War I, plastic surgery took a major leap forward. During this time, plastic surgery was used as a life saving device instead of plastic surgery, which simply makes people look better. When Americans began seeking work, they were suddenly facing anonymity and the challenge of presenting themselves well. The migration was occurring at the same time as problems of insufficient self-esteem were expanding among men and women. A small group of plastic surgeons, who had initially looked down upon prideful surgery, began to see themselves as agents of self-improvement who could help homely women gain a chance for greater self-esteem. With World War II came news reports of surgical miracles for soldiers whose faces had been wrecked by war. Headlines like “New Faces for New Men,” and “Saving his Face” gave plastic surgery even more credibility (Friedman, 2005).

After World War II, many women left the workplace to ...