Cosmetic Type of Plastic Surgery in the United States - Research Paper Example

Research Proposal: Plastic Surgery Introduction The mention of the concept of plastic surgery elicits numerousreactions from people in any part of the world. It essentially refers to a medical procedure that is concerned with the restoration, reconstruction, improvement in the form, appearance and function of the body parts that are missing, defective, damaged or misshapen (Engler 5). The concept is great because of the benefits that it has brought to people who have had accidents or have been victims of natural disasters. The intriguing part is the use of this surgery for aesthetic purposes that has brought disasters and led to many wishing they could revert to their previous state. Despite this people are still motivated to go for the procedure, doing something that will drastically change their lives for the better or for worse (Camille 93). Background Plastic surgery has been in existence for quite some time now in the history of the US and the world over. It is a big business in the US and statistics showed that despite the recession, the business was still booming. Statistics from The American Society of Plastic Surgeons show that Americans underwent 14 million cosmetic procedures in 2010, spending approximately 10.1 billion in the process (Roger and Vanco). The procedure range from Botox, breast enhancements, to transplants and chin augmentation. Two kinds of plastic surgery are common, the reconstructive surgery after accidents and aesthetic surgery for purposes of beauty (Engler 9). Much as plastic surgery has been used to solve clinical problems it has continuously created ethical problems and debates whether some of the procedures should go on or not. Reconstructive surgery has been carried out mostly for clinical purposes to correct problems that come as a result of injury, accidents and tissue damage. It is mostly acceptable because of its ability to give victims a normal life they had before (Johnson and Whitworth 319). Cosmetic surgery on the other hand has been widely criticized by people because of ethical questions that arise as a result of the procedure (Engler 30). Adjusting body parts or changing appearance for beauty purposes involves changing nature and creation which amount to questioning the creator as some argue. Despite this debate cosmetic surgery is still a big business and many people are still going for it despite warnings and consequences that come with some of the procedures (Roger and Vanco). Research methods There exists a lot of literature on the topic of plastic surgery that can inform this study. This study is built on a mixed approach kind of design. The research will employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods so as to get a deeper understanding of the issue. This kind of approach is important in this research because it aims to find out reasons as to why people undergo plastic surgery and therefore qualitative data will be gathered (Goddard and Melville 9-10). On the other hand the research will also find out which procedures are most common and why people say about them thereby gathering quantitative information. Interviews and questionnaires will be used extensively in primary research while books, journal articles, periodicals will be explored to inform the literature review. Key sources of this information will be people who have undergone plastic surgery, celebrities, surgeons and other medical practitioners. Research questions This research aims to answer the following three questions: 1. What is the motivation behind individuals going for plastic surgery despite the many consequences that come with it? 2. What is the mostly practiced form of plastic surgery in the United States and how is it the procedure conducted? 3. What are the after effects of plastic surgery? Do the people feel good after the transformation or do they wish to change even more to suit changing times? 4. What are some of the ethical issues that are associated with plastic surgery? Significance of the study This study will basically focus on the cosmetic type of plastic surgery that has become a fashion and a business in the United States. The study is important because of several reasons: (1) the study will inform people on what drives others to go for cosmetic surgery. What do these people miss or see lacking on them that prompts them to go for plastic surgery? (2) the study will also inform people on which type of plastic surgery is commonly practiced in America and this is important because it will provide an insight into what people think about themselves and their bodies and how they would love to look; and lastly (3) this study will also inform us on what people feel after the surgery, showing whether they regret about the whole process or whether it makes them feel better about themselves. It will give an insight into the lives of this people after the operation and whether they like it or regret it and this can be used to advice others who are planning to do the same in future; Annotated Bibliography Johnson, D. and I. H. Whitworth. "Recent developments in plastic surgery." British medical Journal (2002): 325:319-322. Print This journal article gives a good introduction on the aspect of plastic surgery by demystifying the misconception that plastic surgeons are cosmetic surgeons. The article specifically looks at surgical techniques, technical and biological advances. It also looks at the changes in organization of plastic surgery and how the profession blends in with other specialties in its bid to reconstruct patients so that they can gain normal function and appearance. This article will be important as it will give the study a good background on the issue and also show some of the developments in plastic surgery that are crucial for this study. Engler, Alan M. Body Sculpture: Plastic Surgery of the Body For Men & Women. 2nd. New York: Hodson Publishing, 2000. Print This book is also a magnificent backgrounder. The book begins with general information about plastic surgery, the motivations, the appointment with the doctor, preparing for the surgery, recovery from the surgery, the after affects and the consequences of the procedures. It then covers some of the plastic surgery procedures in detail including breast surgery, liposuction, tummy tucks and finishes off by examining the outcomes of the procedures. It is important is this study as it will provide a good background to the study. Sterodimas, Aris, Henrique N. Radwanski and Ivo Pitanguy. "Ethical Issues in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery." Aesthetic Plastic surgery (2011): 35(2): 262-267. Print. This journal article takes an ethical approach to the plastic surgery issue. Some of the ethical issues discussed here include patient autonomy, informed consent, beneficence and non-malfeasance. It then discusses what the plastic surgeons need to know so as to provide these services to patients without causing problems. It advocates for extensive education and training to ensure that they merit the confidence of patients entrusted to their care and rendering to full measure of service and devotion. This article will help the study in identifying ethical issues and what plastic surgeons need to know as they continue with their job. Chen, Hung-Chi, et al. "Psychological profile of Taiwanese Female Cosmetic Surgery Candidates: Understanding Their Motivation for cosmetic Surgery." Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2010): 34:340-349. Print. This article presents a study that was done on Taiwanese plastic surgery candidates to assess their motivations to undergo plastic surgery. It identifies psychological processes consisting of body image and self-esteem as key motivators for cosmetic surgery. The study also identified contributory factors to cosmetic surgery such as social support, perception of other people’s opinion and sex life satisfaction. This study is important because it will inform the current study of some of the motivations and the environment that leads people to perform the procedures. Rubin, Lisa R., et al. "Motivations for breast surgery: a qualitative comparison study of breast reconstruction augmentation and reduction patients." The Breast Journal (2009): 15(6): 666-667. Print. This study carried out in the US is an eye opener to some of the circumstances that lead women to perform breast surgery. The article identifies images in the media as a cause of the move. The candidates give their various reasons why they want breast surgery and these include: “fitting in” and looking “normal”, desire to feel ordinary or proportional, discomfort with their body, desire for breasts that looked socially acceptable and feelings of insecurity. This article will also be very important in this study giving us an insight into the minds of the American women. Englert, H., et al. "Womens Health after plastic surgery." Internal Medicine Journal (2001): 31: 77-89. Print. This study looks at some of the after effects of plastic surgery with some of the chronic issues that keep emanating since the introduction of plastic surgery. It examines issues such as connective tissue disease that is as a result of the exposure to endogenous silicone in breast implants. The study looks at the disease and how it affects women concluding that it is potentially harmful to women who undergo the procedure. This article will be important in this study as it tells us of some of the effects of breast surgery and diseases associated with the procedure. Camille, Paglia. "The Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery." Harpers Bazaar (2005): 2005(3522): 93. Print. This article talks of some of the pitfalls to performing plastic surgery by saying that the procedure is not good. It only works to rob people of their unique beauty and killing sexual allure. The author argues that people are unique in their own ways and by re-sculpturing our bodies and faces we only present ourselves with problems that we have to live with for the rest of our lives. This article will be important in trying to understand some of the after effects of plastic surgery and how it affects people. Buck, Donald W., Thomas A. Mustoe and John Y.S. Kim. "Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Plastic Surgery." Seminars in plastic Surgery (2006): 20(4): 249-255. Print. This study examines some of the after effects of plastic surgery immediately after the operation. It identifies two most common problems which are nausea and vomiting. This state, the article says, causes the patients to take long to recover, feel miserable and have poor satisfaction of the entire operation. This study will inform this research about the after effects of surgery and what people need to know before they undergo the operation. Works Cited Buck, Donald W., Thomas A. Mustoe and John Y.S. Kim. "Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Plastic Surgery." Seminars in plastic Surgery (2006): 20(4): 249-255. Print. Camille, Paglia. "The Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery." Harpers Bazaar (2005): 2005(3522): 93. Print. Chen, Hung-Chi, et al. "Psychological profile of Taiwanese Female Cosmetic Surgery Candidates: Understanding Their Motivation for cosmetic Surgery." Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2010): 34:340-349. Print. Engler, Alan M. Body Sculpture: Plastic Surgery of the Body For Men & Women. 2nd. New York: Hodson Publishing, 2000. Print. Englert, H., et al. "Womens Health after plastic surgery." Internal Medicine Journal (2001): 31: 77-89. Print. Goddard, Wayne and Stuart Melville. Research Methodology: An Introduction. Lansdowne: Juta & Company, 2007. Print. Johnson, D. and I. H. Whitworth. "Recent developments in plastic surgery." British medical Journal (2002): 325:319-322. Print. Roger, Simon and Sophia Vanco. US plastic surgery statistics: breasts up, chins down. The Guardian (Online). 27 February 2012. Web. 29 February 2012 Rubin, Lisa R., et al. "Motivations for breast surgery: a qualitative comparison study of breast reconstruction augmentation and reduction patients." The Breast Journal (2009): 15(6): 666-667. Print. Sterodimas, Aris, Henrique N. Radwanski and Ivo Pitanguy. "Ethical Issues in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery." Aesthetic Plastic surgery (2011): 35(2): 262-267. Print. Read More