Why is plastic/cosmetic surgery good - Research Paper Example

Institute: Why is plastic/cosmetic surgery good? Plastic surgery has evolved tremendously over the past decades. Gone are the days when it used to be a luxury. It is now an option that masses can opt for. Plastic surgery is basically aimed at reconstruction and repair of deformed or defected parts of the body. The defects can be congenital abnormalities like cleft lip or palate or they can be acquired developmental defects. From accidents causing physical deformities and lacerations to the severe burns compromising extensive surface area of the skin, plastic surgery provides safe and effective route to healing and a normal life thereafter. Even though the terms plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are generally used interchangeably, there exists a difference. Plastic surgery aims at repair of the defects that are the cause of an abnormality. Defects that interfere with normal appearance or function are repaired so that the person can lead a normal life. It involves medical as well as surgical expertise as the wounds of accidents and burns require intensive care. Repair of skin and surrounding tissue after the excision of tumors is also done through plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery on the other hand involves the aesthetic aspect of the personality. It is an elective procedure that aims at beautification and enhancement of the looks and outer appearance of the body. Plastic/ cosmetic surgery provides people a chance to live a normal life after disfigurement. There has been extensive development in this field and reconstructive surgery is now available to improve the appearance and function of organs and systems ranging from extremities to craniofacial defects (including nose and eye lids), excoriation from ulcers to wounds on skin surface, body contouring to breast reconstruction as well as hair transplantation. These days, increasing number of people opt to undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery. The reason people go for different sorts of surgeries are as numerous as the varieties of surgeries themselves. It can either be a life threatening condition that burns majority of body surface or natural aging and the person might want to get rid of the wrinkles only. Majority of the patients undergoing surgery have good outcomes in terms of improvement in physical appearance as well as psychological impact. Failure rate or the incidence of unsatisfactory results is relatively low and depends upon the surgical expertise and patient factors like body dysmorphic disorder and psychological factors like depression and other personality disorders (Honigman et al 2004). The reasons people undergo cosmetic surgery for aesthetic purposes are almost always related to the complex about their body image and are highly related to their self esteem. There are instances where people opt for cosmetic surgery to counter their psychological perceptions about the body image. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is one example of such instances. It is a psychological disorder in which patients are under extreme form of dissatisfaction with regard to their appearance and body. Among people undergoing cosmetic surgery, 7 to 15 percent have been found to have BDD (Crerand et al 2006). The outcomes of aesthetic surgery are measured in terms of body- image and quality of life (Ching et al 2003). Cosmetic surgery improves a person’s sense of well being and boosts the confidence. This is reflected by increased self satisfaction and better adaptation to society. Reconstructive surgery has a major role in normalizing the life pattern of people surviving after cancer therapy. Patient responses were assessed by Al- Ghazal et al (2000) after breast reconstruction following wide local excision. Patients reported significant positivity on self esteem, sexuality and body image. Deformities following car accidents and wide skin lacerations and wounds are referred to the plastic surgery department after initial patient stabilization in intensive care units and later the medical treatment. Reconstructive surgery fills and covers the disfigured parts by grafting. The disability is treated with the intention to restore the function of the affected system and the skin defects are covered by the flaps. Cosmetic surgery is savior for people who want to lose weight but are non-compliant to diet plans and exercise regimens or are refractory to other interventions. Liposuction is done for the reduction of excess body fat, followed by body contouring procedures to remove skin flaps from areas of major weight loss and achieve a firm skin that gives supple healthy look. This helps people get the ideal physique and body shape that they want to achieve. Removal of excessive body hair or transplantation of the hair that are lost, both modalities are provided by cosmetic surgery. The latest and most dramatic changes brought about by cosmetic surgery are perhaps in countering the natural aging process. Botox injections and skin resurfacing treatments help remove wrinkles. Skin that loses its elasticity with aging is tightened and made to look young and firm by procedures that involve face and neck lifting. Implants to improve the facial features and get attractive cheek bones and chin are in rage. Eyelid surgery is commonly performed for the drooping upper eyelids (Ptosis). Ptosis can be congenital or can occur as a part of neuro-muscular disorders (Vaughn et al 1995). Cosmetic surgery corrects the defect through the procedure of blepharoplasty. Rhinoplasty is done with a reconstructive as well as cosmetic approach. Deviated nasal septum that causes difficulty in breathing and the cleft palate make a person candidate for reconstructive Rhinoplasty (PL Dhingra 1992). Many people opt for Rhinoplasty to improve the shape and contour of the nose, alter the nose bridge or reduce the bulbous tip as these are very common problems. Plastic/ cosmetic surgery holds the key to changing a person’s whole mental image and entire perspective just by changing the physical appearance. Plastic/ cosmetic surgery can be regarded as one of the finest forms of therapy, as it does not only fix the external appearance, but also has massive impact on the patient’s psychology and self perception. Reconstructive surgery opens new realms of social acceptance for the patients as reported by Arandt et al. The post surgical evaluation of patients shows higher self esteem and confidence as well as increased acceptance in the society. Works cited 1. Al-Ghazal, S K, L Fallowfield, and R W. Blamey. "Comparison of Psychological Aspects and Patient Satisfaction Following Breast Conserving Surgery, Simple Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction." European Journal of Cancer. 36.15 (2000): 1938-1943. Print. 2. Arndt, EM, F Travis, A Lefebvre, A Niec, and IR Munro. "Beauty and the Eye of the Beholder: Social Consequences and Personal Adjustments for Facial Patients." British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 39.1 (1986): 81-4. Print. 3. Ching, Shim, Achilleas Thoma, Randi E. Mccabe, and Martin M. Antony. "Measuring Outcomes in Aesthetic Surgery: a Comprehensive Review of the Literature." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 111.1 (2003): 469. Print. 4. Crerand, Canice F. M, and David Sarwer. "Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Cosmetic Surgery." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 118.7 (2006). Print. 5. Dhingra, P L. Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat. New Delhi: B.I. Churchill Livingstone, 1992. Print 6. Honigman, Roberta J, Katharine A. Phillips, and David J. Castle. "A Review of Psychosocial Outcomes for Patients Seeking Cosmetic Surgery." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 113.4 (2004): 1229. Print. 7. Vaughan, Daniel, Taylor Asbury, and Paul Riordan-Eva. General Opthalmology. Norwalk, Conn: Appleton & Lange, 1995. Print. . Read More