Cosmetic Surgery

“I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I 'd look like without plastic surgery” a quote by Joan Rivers taken from www.allgreatquotes.com (2008). Today’s society puts so much emphasis on what the media considers beauty that even Hollywood stars are unfortunately going to extremes to keep their appearances to what is considered beautiful. Even though forms of cosmetic surgery are medically necessary such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery has become a large issue in today’s society because some believe it is a solution to larger issues. In this essay I am going to tell how the progression of cosmetic surgery has impacted society; from the first impact to current impacts, I am going to tell how cosmetic surgery has changed the world. From the Greek word plastikos, meaning to give shape, the term “plastic surgery” in fact, is an ancient specialty – with proof of procedures being performed by the Egyptians as far back as 3,000 years ago. In 1827, Dr. John Peter Mettauer, the U.S. 's first plastic surgeon, performed the first cleft palate operation using equipment and instruments designed by him. Dr. Mettauer’s knowledge and skills of anatomy paved the way for many modern procedures used today. Plastic surgery can be divided into two main categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. During cosmetic surgery, one takes a body part that is of normal appearance, and tries to improve it. (Deneberg 2006) For example, a 20-year-old female may have a particular body part that is average for a 20-year-old woman. When she gets breast augmentations, she is trying to improve the look of something that was average to begin with; this is cosmetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, occurs when one takes a particular part that does not have a normal appearance, and tries to make it appear more normal. The repair of a cleft lip or the straightening of a nose that has been broken is usually considered reconstructive surgery,

References: • Denenberg, M.D., S, M (2006) What is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery? from: http://www.facialsurgery.com/ppagqfaq_plastic_vs_cosmetic.html • Allgreatquotes.com: Topic: Plastic Surgery Quotes - Famous Plastic Surgery Quotes, Quotations, Sayings about Cosmetic Surgery (2008) from: http://www.allgreatquotes.com/plastic_surgery_quotes.shtml • Yestheyrefake.net: Researching Culture: The Social and Cultural Significance of Women 's Involvement in Cosmetic Surgery (2002) from: http://www.yestheyrefake.net/media/Cosmetic_Surgery_Project.htm [pic]