Cosmetic Surgery Demand - Essay Example

Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgeries involve reconstruction to correct or improve appearance in the cutaneous or underlying tissues aiming to enhance the look. The term has a synonymous association with anaplastic, beauty and esthetic surgeries. It leads to changes in configuration, texture and relationship with contiguous structure in the body. The act involves medical opinion where there is no potential jeopardy to mental or physical health of the patient. Most of the surgeries involves changes of the structure in the body that an observer considers prudent based on the ethnic origin and age to make the individual have a normal appearance. Some of the surgeries also correct appearance problems that people meet in their daily lives due to accidents. To take the surgeries, well-trained medical personnel in these surgeries give their opinions. Hence, the surgeries are usually safe, and the aim is to meet the patients’ needs. The recent rise of cases of people especially bullied teenager needing cosmetic surgery has led to a debate whether the practices are good or not. Young people are also considering these measures due to insecurities and bullying. According to Slawson, “Increasing numbers of bullied teenagers want to have cosmetic surgery, a survey has found,” (Slawson 1). In the past, there has been an argument for the goodness of the cosmetic surgeries. Most of these arguments openly criticize those who undergo cosmetic surgery. Some of those who had these surgeries in the past regret in public like Fonda in her remarks, “I wish I were brave enough not to do plastic surgery but I think I bought myself a decade (Shoard 1). Most of the individuals argue against these surgeries basing their arguments on the ethical issues of appearance with the need to remain in the original look. Other individuals also base their argument only on the medical risks associated with these surgeries without considering the benefits. The benefits associated with cosmetic surgery convince me, and that is the reason I support and argue against those whose oppose these surgeries. Amid these benefits is a gain of self-esteem and personal choices associated with other benefits that most individuals who criticize cosmetic surgery overlook. The arguments based on the ethical issues do not stand in some cases against cosmetic surgery. Those who consider doing cosmetic surgery do it out of their will with the aim of improving their appearance. These are personal choices as there is no medical necessity for changing the appearance. However, the need to respect personal choices of those willing to go through cosmetic surgeries gives these procedures strong ground for justification. The surgeries do not even get funding from most of the health care funding systems (Downie & Llewellyn 196). Everybody wants to look good in the eyes of other individuals, and if they can achieve this through surgeries, it becomes a personal decision. This is evident in the speech of Andressa, “If you have the money, you can be beautiful. This pretty face you see here, my dear, it costs some”, (Associated Press in San Paulo 1). The current technology allows people to access information that may include better ways to enhance the personal appearance in comparison to others. Besides, there is no definite ethical distinction to dispute the practice since what is good or bad depends on personal judgment. There is need to respect the personal decision in undergoing cosmetic surgery and personal benefits. Its consideration should like changing fashion and style to clothing. It may also be ensuring that the individual has more gain than when they did not have the surgery. An example includes surgery for the breasts to boost self-esteem that is beneficial. In any case, it makes individuals work harder to be able to obtain such services. These surgeries ensure those interested have high self-confidence and sense of emotional security. The surgeries are not bad since they help people to achieve their goals of having the best appearance according to them. Moreover, the constitution gives right of expression, and if a person feels that what their appearance is portraying is not the best, they have the liberty to change it. The effect on personal decisions to have the surgery also improve the social relationships with others. Gaining confidence makes people enjoy life in social situations and engage in long-term relationships. The cosmetic surgeries help in rectifying the appearance of individuals with normal body functions after an accident to make them have better appearance than if they do without the surgeries. Most of the accident victims are usually traumatized especially those who survive fire and motor mishap, have part of their nose, and face needing surgery due to scars. The trauma comes from the experience, and the presence of scars or disfigured body parts remind the victims of the ordeal making their situation worse. The skins usually become affected, and most of them hardly recognize themselves in the mirrors. Cosmetic surgery may help the victims in overcoming challenges associated with the previous bad experience through improvement of their appearance. The surgeries enable the victims to continue with their lives normally through improved appearance (Judd 191). Hence, cosmetic surgeries may be important to the victims in recovering from the experience especially if they value their appearance. Those who argue against cosmetic surgery may not consider the feelings of those who are affected and wants them to remain in the same damaged appearance situation. They openly say that an individual should remain the same way, but this may be overwhelming to the victims. They claim for individuals not to hide behind the mask of cosmetic surgery while remaining the way they are. There is a need to know if it is ethical to remain with low self-esteem due to physical appearance and not take cosmetic surgery when there are will and resources. The need to change the appearance of accidental damages to remain in a look closer to original self is a reason to support cosmetic surgery. Those who oppose cosmetic surgery do not provide the best way for patients to overcome their experience that has an attachment to emotions and self-esteem. From my point of view, I do not think it is unethical to carry out cosmetic surgery to save accident victims. We need to look at the benefits the cosmetic surgery brings to the victims. Cosmetic surgery assists in the alleviation of mental illness among affected individuals. Most of the psychological disorders have a close association with low self-esteem associated with depression. Improvement in appearance may work positively if done in the right manner and time. The effects mainly come from personal judgment on appearance if they fit certain social levels. Metal diseases such as anorexia have a close relationship with how individuals perceive themselves. When affected individuals undergo through cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction or chemical peel, which boost self-image. The surgeries on these patients need to involve checking their reasons for the procedure and teaching them about the consequences (Fogel & Donna 1427). There is a need to consider the treatment of mental illness from using cosmetic surgery other than the risks associated with the same procedure. Psychological disorders are the main type of problems associated with people with low self-esteem and self-confidence. Boosting self-image through the surgeries does not only improve self-esteem, but can also add some years to an individual’s life. However, there is a need for the surgeon to understand the expectation of the individual (Ericksen & Stephen 351). The psychological patients always receive a high boost in self-esteem after having satisfying cosmetic surgery. The procedure needs a period when an individual is not going through many changes in life or else it may worsen the illness. The use of cosmetic surgery has become common in the modern society. Arguably, those opposing the use of cosmetic surgery also have some facts that people should consider before using the surgery. One of the main factors to look into before going for the procedure include risks during the operations and increased risks to certain issues. Besides, there is a need to consider both long-term and short-term effects of undergoing the procedure. Cosmetic surgery is not different from other types of surgeries in the possibility of risk in diabetic patients and those having obesity, and cardiac condition are at higher risks. Consideration of such factors may discourage unnecessary going for the procedures. The ethical issues have varied weight in the societies with some approving the act while others disapprove it. The view of what is right or wrong in the matters about cosmetic surgery also differs with each and to some extent culture. Risks in these surgeries emanate from the fact that there is incision hence exposure to scarring, infection and in rare cases there are deaths (Thaller & Mimis 77). Disfiguration is one of the main concern to those who go to the procedure since the result will be opposite of the previous expectation. Elaboration on these risks to the patients before the operation is important for them to make a decision and prepare for the negative consequences. The negative consequences usually lead to diminished health and unnecessary future expenses in trying to correct the problem. The uses of surgery to those who need it remain vital in their life and a personal decision. It serves a great purpose of allowing individuals to have an opportunity for expression in a way they feel most suitable. The benefits are through improvement of personal appearance and gaining self-confidence. These reasons and gains form the basis to justify that cosmetic surgery among individuals who wish to change their appearance. It has risk like any other medical surgery, but this does not make the procedure bad and unworthy. Even though individuals should avoid excessive and unnecessary use of these operations to remain healthy, cosmetic surgeries remain to be good, and their benefits are real in the society. Works Cited Associated Press in São Paulo. “Remodelled Brazil Reality TV Star Speaks out after Cosmetic Surgery Goes Wrong.” the Guardian. N.p., 2015. Web. 31 May 2015. Downie, Jocelyn and Llewellyn, Jennifer. Being Relational: Reflections on Relational Theory and Health Law. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2011. Print. Ericksen, William, and Stephen Billick. "Psychiatric Issues in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery." Psychiatric Quarterly 83.3 (2012): 343-352. Academic Search Premier. Web. 31 May 2015. Fogel, Barry S, and Donna B. Greenberg. Psychiatric Care of the Medical Patient. New York : Oxford University Press , 2014. Print. Judd, Naomi. Naomis Guide to Aging Gratefully: Facts, Myths, and Good News for Boomers. New York: Simon and Schuster. (2008). Print. Shoard, Catherine. “Jane Fonda: ‘Plastic Surgery Bought Me a Decade.’” the Guardian. N.p., 2015. Web. 31 May 2015. Slawson, Nicola. “Bullied Teenagers Increasingly Want to Have Cosmetic Surgery, Says Survey.” the Guardian. N.p., 2015. Web. 31 May 2015. Thaller, Seth R, and Mimis Cohen. Cosmetic Surgery after Massive Weight Loss. London: JP Medical, 2012. Print. Read More