Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has been a growing fascination for many people over the last couple of decades. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic surgery statistics have shown that from 1997 to 2002 there has been a 22.8 percent increase in the number of cosmetic procedures performed. Messages within the media indirectly contribute to this rising rate. However, the question that everyone needs an answer is, “Is cosmetic surgery helpful or damaging to an individual’s mind and body?” As far as I am aware of, Plastic surgery has more benefits than risks; it is helpful to an individual’s mind and body. I agree with the statement to a large extent. The benefits of plastic surgery consist of, the increase in an individual’s self-esteem, better health and quality of life and lastly, people who undergo plastic surgery are easily accepted in society.

Plastic surgery is a medical procedure that comes in two forms, cosmetic and reconstructive. Cosmetic surgery is focused on enhancing certain body features or changing a certain part to make it conform to the looks that we want to have. Reconstructive surgery is performed to restore something in the body that has been damaged. (Benefit 1): For many patients, successful cosmetic surgery can lead to an increase in self-esteem and confidence. As we make the changes to achieve a certain look that we desire, we become more confident with ourselves and become more comfortable in our interaction with others. These may help an individual to live a happier life as the woes and worries about not being accepted in society will be eliminated. For instance, a woman who as a young teen was mocked for her “buck-toothed” smile, and eventually stopped smiling until she finally was able to have her smile surgically corrected.

(Benefit 2): An individual’s health and quality of life will also be improved with the help of reconstructive surgery. It can reconstruct physical defects and injuries due to accidents, genetics, and diseases.