Plastic Surgery in America - Essay Example

Plastic surgery is the most common surgery performed in American hospitals today. This trend is a response to constant social pressure to become the ‘ideal’ person. This ideal is described as mid-20ish, slender, with a certain good-looking charm and softly defined musculature. Those who match this ‘right’ look either naturally or because they are able to buy it are seen to have the ideal life no matter what their life actually looks like. Just by this outward appearance, people are automatically considered to be wealthy, happy and free of common concerns (Bardack & McAndrew, 1995). Even when a person meets these requirements, though, there are some significant negative complications that must be considered. When a person's external appearance becomes the only means by which they are measured by society, there is no room for internal qualities to develop or gain appropriate merit. Instead, people are so obsessed about presenting the right external view that they commit suicide over pimples and go into debt over waistlines. This shallow, obsessive view is especially present among teenagers, both male and female, as they rush to have plastic surgery to perfect their bodies instead of making the best of what they have. Not only can it be harmful to psychological and physical health, but it is harmful to society as it is encouraged by role models and supported by parents. Many adolescents don’t seem to realize that plastic surgery is still surgery and they rush to get it done even before their bodies have finished developing. All surgeries have physical and physiological risks. In 1998, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported 8,074 rhinoplasties were given to patients under the age of 18, making it the most common surgery. “Although noses typically stop growing at age 15 in girls, it is closer to age 20 in males” (Powers, 2000), meaning kids were having noses repaired before they were even finished growing so results might not stay the same into adulthood. Another age-specific surgery is liposuction, which offers up some dangers of its own. “[Dr. Robert Wallace, chairman of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine’s division of plastic surgery] said he also is reluctant to do liposuction during the hormone and weight fluctuations that often accompany adolescence” (Powers, 2000). Even though liposuction is a procedure specifically intended to remove fat and help sculpt the body, more than 1600 adolescents seeking this surgery expected to lose weight without exercise or changing diet. Since they don't concern themselves with real approaches to weight loss, they don't get the results they want and they are unable to keep the positive changes they do achieve. When thinking about plastic surgery, the dangers to psychological health should also be considered. Studies have shown that even among young girls, “four out of ten said they would consider plastic surgery to make themselves slimmer” (Gustafson, 2005). Most teenagers feel plastic surgery is the only way that they can be acceptable to their peers (Gustafson, 2005), but feel blocked by parents or the medical professionals. Instead of working on their issues, they focus on placing blame on external things. As one nurse said, “[Plastic surgery] won’t get them a boyfriend or make them smarter or solve their problems … You have to seriously go into their motivation” (Powers, 2000). Too many people seeking plastic surgery are looking for instant results in all areas of their lives simply because of a perceived improvement in their external appearance. People in favor of cosmetic surgery say they can prove that it leads to psychological and psychosocial behavior. Studies that compare pre- and post-surgery attitudes show positive results “including improvements in body image and possibly a quality-of-life boost too” (Dittman, 2005). Even within these studies, though, there is evidence of negative outcomes such as depression, adjustment problems, social isolation, family problems, self-destructive behaviors and anger toward the surgeon and/or his staff for not delivering on unrealistic expectations (Dittman, 2005). Most of the people who were unhappy with their surgery results were upset because they either expected more than the surgery could deliver or because they had other psychological issues before the surgery that surgery could never correct (Weintraub, 2002). “Unlike women who seek plastic surgery later in life, Dr. Ann Kearney-Cooke noted, teen-agers typically lack the perspective crucial to developing realistic expectations about probable results and the life-long consequences, including scarring and change in sensation” (Powers, 2000). Although the surgery might be successful in achieving a preferred look, it is not possible for a simple change in appearance to change a person's popularity, increase their wealth, or free them from common concerns. Society doesn't do much to counteract these wrong beliefs, starting with parents. “Experts say parents play a crucial role in the process. Because cosmetic surgery is not covered by health insurance, parents are likely to foot the bill. In 1999, the average surgical fees ranged from about $2,000 for suction-assisted lipoplasty to more than $4,700 for breast reduction” (Powers, 2000). Mothers add a lot to the insecurities since they are usually constantly searching for the teenage waist or a wrinkle free complexion. “The same sex parent shapes an adolescent’s body image, in part. A parent unhappy with her breasts or thighs or chin who sees plastic surgery as the answer is more likely to raise a child who turns to surgery” (Powers, 2000). The parents' attempt to capture the ideal image is fueled by their perception of people they see in the media - older women phased out or playing crones on television unless they are able to preserve an illusion of youth (Gunter, 1995). The emphasis placed on youth and beauty communicates several messages to younger people. Teenagers learn that there are shortcuts to beauty and that only external beauty matters. They also develop an idea that beauty is a requirement to achieving success and recognition. “The reinforcement of moms depressed about her weight because they don’t look like magazine models, makes it even more likely for the daughters to be unhappy with their bodies” (Gustafson, 2005). This concept that the young and beautiful are the only real success stories is pervasive, distracting, and unrealistic. “Although the typical cosmetic surgery patient is still a woman between age 35 and 50, the internet, music videos, teen-age magazines and old-fashioned peer pressure is fueling a new generation of patients interested in getting sculpted, shaped, nipped and tucked” (Powers, 2005). The media contributes greatly to the unrealistic expectations of plastic surgery patients, but it will only change when we do. Reinforced by the shallow values of the people they surround themselves with, teenagers believe that the ideal form, carefully constructed in the plastic surgeon’s chair, is the only way to find acceptance and happiness in today’s world. They don't place any value on inner talents, abilities, or compassion. Parents and the media contribute greatly to this perception that the external determines all. Older people look to plastic surgery as a way to achieve eternal youth. While adults consider plastic surgery to be an improvement in health and therefore have more realistic expectations, teenagers are equating looks with potential success and develop very unrealistic expectations. Many teenagers are convinced that they will be failures in life if they do not have the ‘right’ look, an idea that is reinforced by images they see on TV and in the movies. This belief leads them to seek surgeries that might be dangerous to their physical health and which might be psychologically damaging. In the end, it is society that determines what the ideal human form should look like, but our society has been overly focused on external appearance. Therefore it is in the hands of the adults to teach their children well and for all of us to redirect attention to more realistic and less superficial attributes. References Bardack, N. & McAndrew, F. (1985). The influence of physical attractiveness and manner of dress on success in a simulated personnel decision. The Journal of Social Psychology. Vol. 125, 777-778. Dittmann, M. (September 2005). Plastic Surgery: Beauty or Beast? American Psychology Association. Vol. 36, N. 8. Gilman, S. L. (1999). Making the Body Beautiful: A Cultural History of Aesthetic Surgery. Princeton University Press. Gunter, B. (1995). Television and Gender Representation. London: John Libbey. Gustafson, R. (January 18, 2005). Parenting and the Media. Parents Television Council Publications. Powers, M. (September 9, 2000). More Teens Seek Plastic Surgery. South Coast Today. Weintraub, J. (March 21, 2004). Makeover Shows Selling Fairy Tales. Journal Sentinal TV Critic. Live TV & Radio. Read More