Cosmetic Surgery: Beauty or Beast

The rise of cosmetic surgery. A curse or a blessing to mankind? Based on the medical definition, cosmetic surgery is known as a subspecialty of medicine that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is entirely different from reconstructive surgery, as it is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.

Well, in today's world, who isn't familiar with that term.It has become such a hype among women, especially, from all age groups.And turning into a habitual practise even among the teenagers, across the continent. And television is one channel adding on to the excessive publicity, transforming cosmetic surgery into a "MUST-HAVE trend", through their hit series like ABC's Extreme makeover, MTV's "I want a famous face", Fox's The Swan and even drama serials like Nip Tuck! Since when is it that going under the knife becomes the current fashion style?

We see Hollywood stars, Taiwanese/Korean/Japanese celebrities tried to delay the effects of ageing by going through this medical procedure. Sharpening of the nose, higher cheekbones, puffier lips, slimmer figure/hips/arms.. the list just goes on. And for what? For the sake of eternal beauty or to eradicate public scrutity. Then again, fame does come with a price. And this could be the cost of being famous, that they are paying for the rest of their lives.

External beauty, yes, you see it almost immediately. A frog turning into a beautiful swan. A transformation nt due to a kiss from her lover, but that of the surgical tools! ;) However, as the market for cosmetic surgery is booming(surgeons benefitting from the increasing societal demand), let us take a step back, and think.. what's the real mental cost of changing your appearance?

True Effects of cosmetic surgery

1. Positive

a. Heightened one's self esteem.

b. More attractive equals to better dates. People are really shallow sometimes. When you look like a sexbomb, your market share shoots way high..when ur just an average girl, with some imperfections, no one even bothers to give u that second glance! Sigh..

c. Better, more satisfying sex. Enhancement done on your boobs, butt etc. You are more confident about your outlook, you perform better in bed. And your partner is satisfied that your assets are now worth a million dollar, they are happier in bed too! Why cant we all just be happy with what we've got! Boobs are after all boobs..

d. Better jobs, better business. For example, most people in the corporate world are concerned about presenting their clients with the most clean and pristine image possible. Looks come first before paper!

2. Negative

a. Strong cultural pressures. Cosmetic surgery, out of your own free will, or societal obligation? For instance, based on research, teens view plastic surgery as a way to fit in and look acceptable to friends and peers. Adults, on the other hand, frequently see plastic surgery as a way to stand out from the crowd. In US, 2005, 330000 of the 18yrs n younger have done at least one surgical procedure! Similar worrying statistics for teens in Japan, Korea, Taiwan! What is our world becoming into?Is this the direction we want to embrace?

b. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): A preoccupation with an aspect of one's appearance. People with BDD repeatedly change or examine the offending body part to the point that the obsession interferes with other aspects of their life. And this refers to at least 7-12% of plastic surgery patients. When is enough ENOUGH then?

Moral of the story: Just be happy with what we are born with. It is a god given gift to us. Change, not only has to come on the outside (altering the body form through cosmetic surgery), but also the change needs to come from the inside. If you are not grateful with what you have, what makes you think others do? So do you learn to respect yourself, and others will soon respect you too.