Pro-Con Position Paper

Running Head: EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 1

Effects of Cosmetic Surgery

Millicent Osaretin

Professor; Tatiana Cvetkovic

ENGL147

Date; June 2020

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 2

Cosmetic surgery, also referred to as anesthetic surgery is a surgical technique that tries

to improve the physical aspect of people's appearance. Its main purpose is to improve one image,

encompassing reducing signs of age and correction of a believed deviation of body parts. It

restore the normality and appearance of an individual. Cosmetic surgery procedures are usually

performed on health body parts; hence it is optionally and not medically fit. According to

studies, many people undergo cosmetic surgery as a result of the displeasure of their body

image.which is highly accompanied by lower levels of self-esteem and psychological wellbeing.

The most common forms of cosmetic surgeries are mastopexy, reduction mammoplasty, and

Brachioplasty and augmentation mammoplasty. Cosmetic surgery is an elective surgical

procedure and is accompanied by several risk factors (Jovic et al., 2017). This paper discusses

the detrimental effects of cosmetic surgery together with its pros and cons.

Cosmetic surgery is continually increasing to grow in popularity, with nearly 15.1 million

procedures carried out in the United States in 2013.This represent an increase of 3 percent from

the previous year. The choice to undergo cosmetic surgery should not be taken lightly, its

consequences are long-lasting, and therefore one needs to be sure about the choice (Higgins &

Wysong, 2018). It is highly advised that before making a concrete decision. It is important to

determine first its advantages and also its disadvantages. The main disadvantages of cosmetic

surgery are; surgical risk, emotional damage addiction, and huge financial costs.

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 3

Huge financial cost

Many surgical processes cost thousands of dollars. The price rise with the doctor's

expertise and the intricacy of the process. However, it is sometimes difficult for one to save cash

towards cosmetic procedures, and individuals often choose to take loans, which can lead to debt.

Consequently, after the surgery, patients will also need to take time from work to recover fully,

especially when one has undergone a more detailed procedure, therefore, taking some time away

from their work( Vijaya, 2019).

Emotional damage

The majority of individuals who undertake cosmetic surgery are at risk of missing the

self-fulfillment after they have undergone the process. Also, it takes sometime before on adjust s

to the new body changes, not as a result that one dislikes the new self but due not simply being

used to it yet, which can sometimes be unsettling and result in a feeling of insecurity. Also, it is

not guaranteed that one will be completely satisfied with the new appearance or the adjustment

made to either the face or the body. This may sometimes be undesirable, and one may begin to

regret undergoing the surgery which can lead to emotional trauma (Matera et al., 2018)

Surgical risks

Cosmetic surgery may greatly result in death. This may happen due to the reaction to

anesthesia and the general underlying health history of a person, which results in complications

during surgery. Additionally, mistakes can do happen during surgeries, although very rarely with

the increased growth of technology( Flawless, 2019). For instance, a mistake of a facelity which

can cause perpetual nerve damage leading to facial paralysis, which is a distressing outcome that

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 4

should be taken into deliberation before undertaking surgery. Such types of surgical errors can

even result in death.

Addiction

A great drawback of cosmetic surgery is that it can lead to addiction. This has risky

effects on a person's state of mind as they are at an increased risk of developing Body

Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). In this situation, one continually finds faults and defects with their

look. Such persons believe that they can only get rid of their conditions by undergoing a series of

surgeries. Whereas, surgery is not the right cure for this type of severe disorder. These people

will continually undergo the same procedure, and they will end up with common waves of anger,

which include permanent damage to one's muscles and skin (Trujilo, 2006).

More often, most people assume that the pros of cosmetic surgery are only on personal

appearance. Besides, there are also other benefits associated with the procedure such as enhanced

self-esteem and confidence,improved health,physicalal comfort and more permant results.

Enhanced self-esteem and confidence

The most apparent benefit of cosmetics is that it increases confidence and enhances

improved self-esteem. The sense of confidentiality in the appearance makes one feel better in all

aspects of life. For instance, a female with stubborn fat in the middle section can feel more

confident and relieved after the liposuction. Nevertheless, a mother of three who feels that her

childbearing days are over can be regained back some of her youthfulness looks. Although these

changes are aimed at improving an individual external appearance, such changes can assist one

in rebuilding confidence and self-esteem.

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 5

Improved health and bodily function functions

Cosmetic surgery is also accompanied by several health benefits, as well. For instance, a

Rhinoplasty surgery will not only mend the appearance of a person's nose but also clear the nasal

cavity and the air passages, which in turn make it easier for a person to breathe. Also, liposuction

allows people to become more physically active after surgery. Thereby reducing their chances of

developing problems related to increased blood pressure and heart diseases.

More physical comfort and ease

Cosmetic surgery also helps to increase a person's physical wellbeing. For example, a

lady who suffers from backs pains associated with having large breasts and recognizes the

benefits that a breast reduction can have when it comes to reducing her level of anxiety after

breast reduction. She might also be able to walk around more easily with comfort and even

engage in more enthusiastic excise and physical activities (Walker et al., 2019).

Permanent Results

Cosmetic surgery always produces long-lasting results. It relieves worries of getting

undesired looks back. Worth noting is that one must find ways of looking at themselves after the

procedures in order for the new look to the last longer, for instance, if one has undergone a

stomach reduction surgery, one should stick to a healthy and active lifestyle to sustain the new

appearance.

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 6

In conclusion, cosmetic surgery focuses on improving a person's appearance. It involves

surgical procedures and is usually performed on a healthy person; hence it is an optional process.

Being a surgical procedure, it is accompanied with several heaths benefits as well as limitations,

some of the benefits of cosmetic surgery are that it enhances, more physical comfort, improved

health, increased in the level of self-esteem and confidence and creates permanent results. Some

of the limitations of cosmetic surgeries are surgical risks, emotional damage, and also, it is a very

expensive act. It is, therefore, essential for one to be aware of these risks before undergoing the

procedure.

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 7

References

Flawless.org( 2019). Disadvantages of cosmetic surgery Retrieved from

https://flawless.org/journal/advantages-and-disadvantages-cosmetic-surgery/

Higgins, S., & Wysong, A. (2018). Cosmetic surgery and body dysmorphic disorder–An

update. International journal of women's dermatology, 4(1), 43-48.

http://ajops.com/index.php/ajops/article/view/29

Jovic, M., Sforza, M., Jovanovic, M., & Jovic, M. (2017). The Acceptance of Cosmetic

Surgery Scale: Confirmatory factor analyses and validation among Serbian adults.

Current Psychology, 36(4), 707-718.

Lee, K., Guy, A., Dale, J., & Wolke, D. (2017). Adolescent desire for cosmetic surgery:

associations with bullying and psychological functioning. Plastic and

reconstructive surgery, 139(5), 1109-1118.

https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/wk/prs/2017/00000139/00000005/art00

021

Matera, C., Nerini, A., & Stefanile, C. (2018). Why are men interested in cosmetic

surgery procedures? Examining the role of different forms of peer influence,

social comparison, internalization, and body dissatisfaction. Body image, 26, 74-

77. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fppm0000099

Trujilo, M (2006). Death unveils underground cosmetic surgery network. Retrieved from

http:/proquest-com-chamberlainuniversiry.idm.oclc.org/docreview/420464412

EFFECTS OF COSMETIC SURGERY 8

Walker, C. E., Krumhuber, E. G., Dayan, S., & Furnham, A. (2019). Effects of social

media use on desire for cosmetic surgery among young women. Current

Psychology, 1-10https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-019-00282-1.

Vijaya, B (2019) Pros and cons of plahttps://www.medicoverhospitals.in/india-

hyderabad-prosS and-cons-of-plastic-surgery/stic surgery.