The Cons of Cosmetic Surgery, Research Paper Example

Arguably, the mention of the term plastic or cosmetic surgery immediately ignites a stream of conflicting opinions as to the merits and demerits of this medical procedure. Often times, the facts cited in justification of any of the positions are gyrated from medical and psychosocial view points. As part of this ongoing debate, this essay seeks to highlight the most rewarding elements of the process of plastic surgery that explains the reasons behind the increasing number of people going in for the process.

Whilst doing say, this essay takes a cautious posture that will ensure that the issues raised in here will reflect the highest possible level of objectivity in an attempt to contribute to yet another contentious debate that extends beyond the confines of traditional medical practice. It is a common practice for proponents of a position believed to be right being guilty of the charge of lopsidedness in their process of advocating for their respective positions. Taking cognizance of this, this essay acknowledges from the onset that cosmetic or plastic surgery like every surgical procedure comes with a degree of risk to the patient (Verheyden 2005, Brackeen, et al 2005). Therefore, coming with a blanket argument against plastic surgery on sheer medical risk factors is just doing the argument no good. Should all surgical procedures be condemned and abandoned because of the attendant risk component associated with it? No. In the same vein, dismissing the procedure of plastic surgery on this account is also untenable within the paradigms of this discourse.

Having said this, the essay proceeds to address the substantive case at hand. Fundamentally, the facts being agitated for in this essay gyrates from the two foundational benefits that comes from going through the cosmetic surgical process, namely: 1. Medical benefits 2. Psychological benefits.

Judging from the increasing number of people who are patronizing the services of specialists to offer them cosmetic surgical processes, there is reason to believe that the need is unprecedented notwithstanding the risk component stated earlier in this paper. Cosmetic surgery provides a way by which people with physical defects either through birth or inadvertent painful circumstances can obtain correction or restoration. Suffice to cite a few illustrations of cases of circumstances that have called for the need to seek cosmetic surgical assistance. A young lady whose face has been disfigured by tragic painful burns that has left scars will have every reason to cease the opportunity of a shot to face of normalcy. The same can be said of a person born with a webbed finger, who feels motivated to seek a surgical correction to this physical anomaly.

Another cautious point worth the most utmost attention when considering a cosmetic surgery has to do with both the cost factor and the choice of expert. For obvious reasons, these two factors seem to work in a complementary fashion. In other words a patient might opt for a particular surgeon of lower expertise and experience on the sheer basis of the charges offered for the service (Verheyden 2005 & 2006). It is also known that in most industrialized economies, cosmetic surgical procedures are not covered by the regular health insurance plans. This means that a patient has to finance his or treatment from his or her own pocket.

On the psychological front, there is increasing evidence to support the fact that any reconstructive process that improves the physical appearance of a patient adds up to the overall self-esteem build up of the person in question. Research has proven that most people coil back into their private shells the very moment they recognize a defect that signals them out of the regular social milieu (Reference).  A particularly common assertion held amongst cosmetic surgeons is the recognition of the central role they play in adding expert hands in the process of enhancing the aesthetic posture of human beings. Against all odds, there is no reason to place an injunction on an individual whose quest for psychological fulfillment is hindered by an overt physical defect.

It is also known that for the most times psychotherapy has not being able to adequately address the psychological difficulties of patients who are gravely concerned about their physical deformity. Cosmetic surgery becomes the most potent admonishment in such case. Naturally this becomes justified on the grounds that a well informed pre-operation session clearly makes known to the patient what he or she can expect after the surgical process (Brackeen et al 2005). It creates an important soothing conviction in the patient’s subconscious mind; leading him or her into believing that he she has absolute control over the decisions regarding their physical stature. There satisfaction derived from such a feeling cannot be overestimated especially measured against the background that the surgical process actually turns out successful.

Reference

Verheyden C.N. (2006). The History of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons: reply. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 118[2], 579.

Brackeen A.R.; Weber R. A. & Verheyden C.N. (2005). The effects of public education on the incidence and presentation of cutaneous melanoma in Central Texas. Tex.Med 101[4], 62-65.

Verheyden C.N. (2005). The history of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons, 1954 to 2004. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 116[7], 1960-1969. 2005.