Abstract This paper presents a clear argument against elective cosmeticsurgery. The paper discusses the various costs involved in cosmeticsurgery, including financial, unknown long-term outcomes and the risks of the invasive surgery.
From the Paper "Human beings have gone to great lengths to make themselves attractive to members of the opposite sex for thousands of years. Tribes in Africa have extended their ear lobes or elongated their necks. Women in China..."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that in today's contemporary society, cosmeticsurgery is more popular than ever. Studies including those by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggest that an increasing number of teenagers and young adults are seeking cosmeticsurgery to enhance or change their figure or parts of their body. The writer points out that many are opposed to the concept, suggesting teenagers should not have the choice to utilize cosmeticsurgery. This paper argues that teenagers should have access to elective cosmeticsurgery when they have their parents' permission, as parents are more likely to be able to understand the potential side effects of surgery and help the patient make a secure and well-thought out decision. The writer maintains that patients that do not have parental consent should not have the option of cosmeticsurgery.
From the Paper "Undoubtedly cosmetic surgery may benefit patients' interpersonal relationships and self-esteem, which ultimately leads to a better quality of life. This is more so the case when the patient suffers from a birth defect or other abnormality that affects their appearance. However, cosmetic surgery is not something to be taken lightly, as for many it can prove very damaging and have long-lasting side effects. Adults undergoing surgery are more likely to make wise decisions because their brains are fully matured and because their bodies have stopped growing."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that while the concept of cosmeticsurgery remains a controversial topic amongst many people today, the practice of cosmeticsurgery has become a common procedure for many North Americans. The writer points out that despite growing popularity, there is an increase in social debate over the accessibility and utilization of cosmeticsurgery for teenagers. This paper seeks to explore how cosmeticsurgery can be damaging, both physically and emotionally, for teenagers. The writer discusses that teenagers struggle to express themselves, yet disdain for their appearance may be deep-seeded and may have more to do with personal dissatisfaction than how they actually appear. The writer maintains that teenagers considering cosmeticsurgery should have to undergo certain levels of counselling, both to determine whether they are making a wise decisions and to teach teenagers to look inwards for answers and not assume that purchasing a new body will solve all of their social and emotional problems.
From the Paper " We are not helping teenagers by offering singular and evasive surgeries as solutions to their social woes. Understandably there may be cause for argument that some procedures are acceptable, but cosmetic surgery should never be seen as a necessary solution to the difficult pubescent years. If parents are going to allow their teenagers to undergo cosmetic surgery, they should remain part of the process and not distance themselves from the decisions their teen will have to make. Becoming involved and asking questions a teenager may not have thought of may in fact deter a teenager from making a decision they ultimately may live to regret. Teenagers have yet to develop a sense of mortality and permanency in their train of thinking. Cosmetic surgery is permanent and rarely reversible. A teenager may be enchanted by the idea of a perfect quick fix, but should the procedure go awry, as they may, teenagers are not emotionally equipped with the tools that will allow them to deal with such trauma."
Abstract This paper argues that, for most women, cosmeticsurgery is a foolish option because the potential risks and complications outweigh any possible cosmetic benefits. The paper argues that the results of many procedures are temporary and affected by aging and changes in lifestyle. The paper also shows that cosmeticsurgery skews the public's perception of how a woman's body should be.
From the Paper "We currently live in a society that is utterly obsessed with the concept of youth. Everywhere we turn we are bombarded with airbrushed images of scantily clad women advertising everything from cosmetics to cars. We flip on our televisions and are shown a perpetual reel of synthetic beauty that is forever touted as "natural" and "healthy", and sadly, many Americans have been persuaded to accept this notion. Rather than concern ourselves with expanding our minds and appreciating life's changes as they are bestowed upon us, thousands of people throw away billions of dollars each year in an attempt to fight the inevitable. Many continue to finance these costly procedures that result in a lengthy healing process, a great deal of pain, and in many cases only marginal results. Yet, this is the current popular trend and it only appears to be gaining speed as time goes on. Will there eventually come a day where women are expected to undergo cosmetic surgery because a natural physique is no longer deemed as attractive?"
Abstract Throughout history, women have been fed the notion that beauty is all that matters in life. Today, in the 21st century, women are the primary targets of the media industry. The paper shows that media manipulation of women's perspectives related to their appearance routinely occurs, as media moguls persist to work hand in hand with the cosmetic industry, feeding society with unattainable ideals, encouraging women to mutilate themselves for psychological reasons, often with lethal consequences usually hidden in fine print.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Thesis
History and Ideals of Beauty
Modern Day CosmeticSurgery as a "Panacea", the Cure All for Life's
Problems
Beauty and Unattainable Ideals
Beauty as a Business Industry
Media and Manipulation
Wrong Reasons for Undergoing Plastic Surgery Lethal Consequences
Conclusion
From the Paper "Initially, "cosmetic surgery" was intended and typically reserved as a repair mechanism to assist wounded and deformed soldiers in war. Soldiers returning from WWI with missing limbs and shrapnel torn faces entrusted their appearance to the hands of skilled surgeons of the time. The development of cosmetic surgery received a push for movement from the need to repair gross deformities sustained in WWI to the need to change normal and typical physical appearances. Early surgeons intended cosmetic surgery for surgical repair of congenital or acquired deformities and the restoration of contour to improve the appearance and function of tissue defects (Kazanjian, 250). Today however, cosmetic surgery takes on a whole new meaning, and the players are participating in a totally different ball game. Though many plastic surgeons are still touted and well received for their remarkable abilities to restore dignity to the deformed, cosmetic surgery has also taken on a new meaning. Cosmetic surgery has become a mechanism women have turned to in hopes of changing not just their appearance, but also their life."
Abstract The paper aims to show that while stigmas still exist, more men are opting for cosmeticsurgery because of the availability of new, less invasive procedures. The paper also attributes the rise in cosmeticsurgeries to cultural changes and better access to information.
Outline:
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
From the Paper "The past decade has seen the dramatic rise of cosmetic surgery performed on men and women. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) the numbers grew by 457% from 1997-2007. The cause of this has been attributed to many factors such as television, magazines, and the Internet. In the past, cosmetic surgery has been associated with women who are thought to be more conscious of the way they look. This time, however, it is men who are becoming more aware of their appearance and the need to improve it. As of 2007, men comprise 9% of those undergoing cosmetic procedures. This increased by 17% since 2006 (ASAPS, 2007)."
Abstract Doctors and patients alike are faced with ethical dilemmas with regard to several aspects of the cosmeticsurgery industry. This paper explores several of these ethical issues, namely, factors in the decision to have elective surgery, deceptive marketing strategies, and bartering professional services for publicity. The analysis for each topic includes research from the professional societies, the general public, and the author's own subjective opinion.
From the Paper "Plastic surgery has a very long history. As early as 1000 B.C.E., the first plastic surgery was reported in India, where a person's nose might be cut off as a form of punishment or, in the case of an adulterous Hindu wife, bitten off by the wronged husband. Procedures, which displayed remarkable similarity to present rhinoplasties, were developed to reconstruct the noses of such errant individuals (Davis 14). Plastic surgery appeared much later on the European continent. In the early fifteenth century, physicians began doing nose surgeries, by using skin flaps taken from the arm. Other forms of plastic surgery began to appear around the early sixteenth century. With the invention of ether and antisepsis, plastic surgery was able to emerge as a full-fledged medical specialty (Davis 15). In the first part of the century, nearly all plastic surgeries were done to alleviate deformities due to disease, birth or mishap; however, in the second half of the century this was no longer the case."
Abstract This paper studies the plastic surgery industry in the United States. It focuses on breast implants and face lifts. It describes the history of the field and discusses the current techniques. The paper contends that cosmeticsurgery has become a multi-billion dollar industry and involves many more average Americans than stars and wealthy patients. The industry is thriving despite the controversy over the breast implant surgery and the future looks very profitable. The paper concludes that the industry of plastic surgery will continue to thrive and prosper in the future, especially in the United States.
From the Paper "Until several decades ago plastic surgery was reserved for the very wealthy and Hollywood movie stars. They would go into hiding, and come out a few weeks later looking younger than they did before. Everyone knew something had been lifted or tucked but it was rarely vocalized in public. Then the breast implant market hit the scene and the plastic surgery industry exploded into a Mecca of revenue and business. Women between 18 and 80 were rushing to have their breasts enlarged. Once this became an accepted practice it was not long before the "average" person was taking vacation time from work to have a face-lift. Cosmetic surgery has become a multi-billion dollar industry and involves many more average Americans than stars and wealthy patients. The industry is thriving even given the controversy over the breast implant surgery and the future looks very profitable. "
Tags: Plastic, Cosmetic, surgery, Hollywood, face, lift, breast, implant, United, States, industry
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that it is common knowledge that many people find it desirable to undergo surgery for facelifts and other kinds of "corrective" surgery. However, the writer points out that what is not perhaps as well known is that many people have "cosmetic" surgery for reasons that go well beyond vanity. Some have plastic surgery to eliminate severe facial deformities; some go under the knife to deal with the erosion of their self-esteem, while others get plastic surgery to repair a bothersome physical feature. This paper takes the position that while there are definitely risks involved in plastic surgery proceedings, in most cases the potential good that came come from the surgery is well worth the medical risk. And further, the writer maintains that the science of corrective surgery has reached the point where the risks are minimized and the results are very worth the risks. Still, it is very important for the patient to do his or her homework prior to going into cosmeticsurgery. The material presented in this paper explains why advance research is vital.
From the Paper "There have been instances in which people undergoing plastic surgery have been injured or killed. Two women died in New York in the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital after undergoing plastic surgery in 2003, Shute explains; the hospital was fined $20,000 for "egregious violations" of safety procedures because of those deaths. In Florida there were eight deaths of plastic surgery patients over an 18-month period in 2003-2004; as a result, Shute continues, the health officials in Florida imposed a three-month ban on surgeries that combine liposuction and tummy tucks. What happens during cosmetic surgery that can cause death? According to this article people can and do get infections, especially when they go abroad to places like the Dominican Republic or Mexico for "cut-rate" surgery; in some foreign countries the attention to sterile, clean surgical conditions is perhaps not as great as it should be."
Abstract The paper discusses plastic surgery and poses some questions: Is plastic surgery right for you? Why even think about plastic surgery? What are the reasons for someone to have plastic surgery? What are the risks? The paper notes that the number of cosmeticsurgeries is rapidly increasing. The paper points out that it is important to consider the risks involved in plastic surgery compared to the benefits of having it. The paper adds that it is also important to check the credential of the plastic surgeon and to interview the surgeon.
From the Paper "Is plastic surgery right for you? Why even think about plastic surgery? What are the reasons for someone to have plastic surgery? What are the risks? In a recent issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, it shows that only 5% of young college-aged women have plastic surgery (Epidemic of Cosmetic Procedures 81). However, the number of cosmetic surgeries is rapidly increasing. "The number of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the United States increased by 44% in 2004 to a total of nearly 11.9 million" (Cosmetic procedures 50). What are some of the cosmetic surgeries that people have? "Top surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures among all Americans in 2004 included liposuction, Botox, breast augmentation, laser hair removal, eyelid surgery, chemical peel, rhinoplasty, microdermabrasion, face lift and hyaluronic acid" (Cosmetic procedures 50)."
Abstract This paper discusses the background of plastic surgery. It looks into both genres of plastic surgery - reconstructive surgery and cosmetic or aesthetic surgery. The paper discusses the pros of plastic surgery, particularly in the realm of reconstructive surgery and then discusses its cons, particularly the medical risks and uncertainties that are associated with it.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Background of Plastic Surgery Plastic Surgery Cons
Plastic Surgery Pros
From the Paper "Plastic surgery also has several advantages, especially in the area of reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is used to correct deficiencies that would otherwise have no means of treatment. Reconstructive surgery has made some of the most notable advancements in the area of microsurgery, and can be used to repair birth defects, such as cleft pallets, and internal forms of function. It can also be used to repair injuries suffered in accidents, and has led to saving limbs and restoring joints that otherwise would be irreparable. Burns can be repaired by skin grafting, and facial injuries involving extensive dental repair are common procedures for plastic surgery, that can improve an individual's self esteem as well as their ability to perform usual and normal functions. Additionally, the field of plastic surgery has widely grown, increasing the accuracy of procedures. Finally, as innovations in this area allow plastic surgery to flourish, the restoration of normal human form and function will become safer."
Abstract This paper explores the reasons women choose to have breast augmentation surgery and presents clinical research about the safety of the implants. The paper traces the history of this cosmeticsurgery, citing its use for reconstruction following mastectomy. The paper explains that ssome women choose to have breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons and discusses the types of implants are considered and their safely risks examined. The author concludes that breast augmentation may have health risks that could affect breast tissue. The author further suggests that more conclusive research is needed in the field to determine if women with a family history of breast disease should have breast augmentation for solely cosmetic reasons.
From the Paper "The desire to look beautiful is inherent and has thus forced many women to resort to plastic and other kind of cosmetic surgeries. Breast augmentation is one procedure which has gained rapid acceptance and popularity among looks-conscious women and in 2004 alone more than 330,000 women and teenage girls underwent this surgery mainly for augmentation purpose while 35,000 had to resort to breast implants after mastectomy. [1] The number of women seeking breast implant surgery has tripled since 1997. [2] But it is not known how many of these women are actually undergoing surgery for the very first time since many of them are those who have had breast implants and sought second or third surgery to correct various complications connected with this procedure. "
Abstract The paper explores the growing popularity in surgery as a choice of physical enhancement. The paper attributes this to fashion trends, the influence of the media and people living longer and looking to enhance their quality of retired life. The paper also notes the general wealth of society today and the minority who undergo cosmeticsurgery for medical reasons. The paper concludes by encouraging people to thoroughly consult their physicians before choosing plastic surgery.
From the Paper "The media plays a major role in popularizing cosmetic surgery. Reality shows such as "Extreme Makeover", "I Want a Famous Face" and "Extreme Makeover" for example tend to glamorize plastic surgery for its ability to provide instant physical enhancement. These shows make the surgery option more desirable than it might otherwise have been. The shows also do not issue particular warnings regarding the possible dangers of the procedure. The glamorization of surgical success, combined with diminishing the dangers, provide the illusion that any cosmetic procedures are simple, straightforward and relatively safe (BBC News Online)."
Abstract This paper discusses that modern plastic surgery has its origins in World War I as physicians attempted to return, to some degree of wholeness, the many soldiers who were so terribly mutilated. This paper focuses on plastic surgery with examples of nose and breast reshaping. The author feels that plastic surgery was used mostly not to express women's essential freedom and modernity but to try to please the men in their lives who still had substantial power over them.
From the Paper "But, it was even more controversial when performed for cosmetic reasons ? especially when it was performed on women. Women were gaining a great deal of social, political and economic power in the 1920s ? spurred by their having gained the franchise in 1920 ? and the look of the Flapper as the modern woman was seen as threatening to many. Bobbed hair, bobbed skirts and bobbed noses seemed to many people all to be symptoms of the too-great power that women were gaining in society."
Abstract This paper explains that body image is the one thing that haunts everyone, especially teenagers - males and females alike. The author points out that media images of picture-perfect celebrities, peer pressure and family factors are all causes of negative body image, which give teenagers low self-esteem and decreased confidence. The paper argues that, unless the media starts to show average bodies and natural beauty, males and females alike will feel pressured into certain looks, causing the cycle of crash diets, steroid use, cosmeticsurgeries and eating disorders.
From the Paper "Many eating disorders are caused by media and the images they portray to teenagers nowadays. For example, before television hit Fiji in 1995, "plump" bodies were considered sexy and attractive. However, after television sets were brought into the country in 1995, cases of eating disorders skyrocketed. Teens are bombarded with images of beauty and perfection, which is obviously unachievable. Many celebrities are stick-figures with flawless looks and men falling all over them. This gives teenage girls the impression that, in order to get a guy to notice them, they have to be extreme skinny."
Tags: stick-figures, cosmeticsurgery, lifestyle, fear of obesity, hunks
