Plastic surgery is a specialty in medicine that deals with reconstruction and formation of parts of the body. The most famous is cosmetic/ aesthetic surgery, but there are other kinds of plastic surgery like reconstructive surgery, hand surgery and craniofacial surgery among others. Plastic surgery is a revolutionary medical procedure that is practiced largely and has saved many lives. The controversy arises in the case of cosmetic surgery, which is widely practiced currently. Cosmetic surgery is performed on otherwise healthy parts of the body with the aim of improving their appearance. Cosmetic surgery is an unnecessary measure and should not be advocated.
There are very many risks involved in plastic surgery that beats its purpose. First, there is always some danger in the use of anesthesia. During the procedure, one risks excessive bleeding. One may also contract an infection leading to poor wound healing and possible skin loss. There is also the likelihood of fluid accumulating in the body, injury to the nerve leading to loss of sensation and permanent damage to skin tissue. When implants are used, there is also the possibility that they may be dislodged from their position which may lead to disfiguration of the body; furthermore, the implant may rupture blood vessels leading to internal hemorrhage. The above risks while common to many surgical procedures, are only worth undertaking to save a life, but not to enhance beauty.
The cost associated with cosmetic surgery is unimaginable. Due to the high demand and it being viewed as a luxury, the charges are very high. Most insurance companies do cover cosmetic surgery; patients have to pay cash for the procedure. The Youth Health Magazine gives an example of Korea, the leading in cosmetic surgery, which spends up to 5 billion dollars on different procedures (para. 1). It further gives the example of one woman, Kim Bok-Soon, who has spent 28 million dollars on facelifts! (4). Due to the well-paying business, the sector has attracted many quacks, leading to botched procedures, which then need to be corrected which means further costs to the patient. There is no reason for one to spend a fortune on beauty.
On the other hand, cosmetic surgery offers a reprieve for those whose image is a cause for low self-esteem. If one is adversely psychologically affected by how they look, and they feel they would be more complete by getting a ‘lift’ then that would be an acceptable compromise. Body image is a big determiner of a person’s ego. People should, however, be encouraged to have a positive self-image and always appreciate themselves no matter how they look on the outside.
Evidently, plastic surgery is not necessary at all due to the many likelihoods involved and the exorbitant charges that come with it. One should learn to appreciate themselves as they are and seek other healthy ways of fulfillment that poses no likelihood. It would be self-destructing to rely on cosmetic surgery to define oneself.
Works Cited
Youth Health Magazine. ‘Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong: South Korea’s Addiction to Plastic Surgery Urges Many Fake Doctors to Take Advantage.’ November 20th 2014. Accessed 6th December 2014.
