The Prevalence of Plastic Surgery Operations - Essay Example

Others feel that the prevalence of plastic surgery operations among women nowadays lies in the way men perceive beauty. As for many adolescents, it is their need for social acceptance that draws them to undergo plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is becoming commonplace among teenagers and adults alike, as people attempt to look better and conform to the standards set by society, but what is not emphasized are the negative effects that plastic surgery is having on people who undergo such medical procedures.

However, the increasing number of plastic surgery procedures indicates that plastic surgery is becoming a way to enhance beauty, serving vanity and not the need for reconstructive medical operations to correct abnormalities. To some extent, some people have become obsessed with plastic surgery, pursuing what society dictates to be the ideal shape, size, and form.

Television, magazines, movies, and advertisements are the major factors influencing the way people perceive beauty and perfection. Every day, people are subjected to the idealized face and body. These media communicate to people that slim women with curvaceous bodies and perfect faces will stand out, be noticed, and be accepted in society. Some Hollywood personalities also become examples of successful plastic surgeries so much so that other people tend to think that such medical procedures are indeed beneficial and without any risks. Plastic surgeons, while trying to adhere to their ethical standards, sometimes fail to establish the boundaries of plastic surgeries because it is so easy to say that such medical procedures can improve the self-esteem of the patient and should therefore be considered good.

Currently, there are several reality television shows that center on cosmetic surgery as the primary means to establish self-esteem, recover from bad experiences and improve chances for success in society. This could be dangerous because it results in an exaggeration of the benefits of plastic surgery and a dismissal of the risks involved. With all the emphasis on the possible positive outcomes, the public becomes oblivious to the fact that plastic surgery is as risky as heart surgery or any other medical surgery.

One of the biggest concerns today is the growing number of adolescents who decide to undergo plastic surgery. A lot of teenagers are attracted to plastic surgery because of peer pressure and because of their need for acceptance. Advertisers and marketers find adolescents as easy targets for the sale of their products, but in doing so, they also impress upon young people that idealized beauty needs to be pursued to become popular with the crowd. In doing so, advertisements and marketing indirectly lead some young people to consider plastic surgery as a viable solution to their beauty problems and inadequacies. This trend among young people is dangerous because of the negative effects, such as health risks and complications, which may result from plastic surgery in young bodies.

Plastic surgery done at an early age will most likely cause more negative than positive effects because teenagers’ bodies are still maturing and changes made to their physical appearance may later result in a more unattractive form as their bodies develop. Breast augmentation, for instance, would mean that the person would have to undergo repeated surgeries because that type of procedure usually lasts for only 10 years. Some teenagers are also unaware that their self-image changes as they mature, meaning that as they grow older, they will become more appreciative of their bodies even if they are far from the “ideal” appearance.

Contrary to popular belief, cosmetic surgery is associated with physical health risks and complications as well as psychological damage that may become long-term. Common operations such as liposuction, for instance, may lead to eating disorders or even cause physical injuries as a result of medical operation accidents. People attracted to plastic surgery sometimes also fail to understand the long-term economic consequences that an operation entails. There are also some cases of mental disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, wherein the person is preoccupied with slight or even imagined physical defects. In addition, there are also suicidal cases that have been related to plastic surgery.

To many people, plastic surgery is one of the fastest and surest ways to achieve perfection, as idealized in today’s media. The way that beauty is projected in print and broadcast media has led many to pursue beauty and perfection at any cost. It is unfortunate that in today’s society, vanity is being turned into a necessity, thus the responsibility lies heavily on parents and surgeons to explain to the individual the extent and limits of plastic surgery, and more importantly, the consequences and risks that are involved.