When most people think of cosmetic surgery they think of shows such as Botched and Atlanta Plastic. Media has conditioned individuals to see cosmetic surgery as a magical cure for those who are displeased with some aspect of their body but that is simply not the case. In fact, those with mental disorders who receive cosmetic/plastic surgery often show worsening symptoms and even develop an addiction to procedures. As of today, Bariatric surgery is the only kind of cosmetic procedure that requires any degree of psychological screening (ASMBS). Unfortunately, doctors are letting patients down by not evaluating a patient’s psychological health before performing cosmetic procedures. Some may argue that psychological screening is too expensive, …show more content…
Largely due to media, cosmetic procedures are on the rise as a magical fix for physical discontent. From 2003 to 2004 cosmetic procedures (surgical and nonsurgical) have risen 22%; lip fillers alone have increased by 115% in 2004 (Schneider). While shows provide content about the surgery itself and the results, many are still unaware of the dangers of individuals with mental disorders seeking out cosmetic surgery. A study has shown that nearly half of those eligible to get cosmetic surgery have/show signs of a mental illness (Golshani, Mani, et al.). A prominent mental illness that drives people in the direction of cosmetic procedures is Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental disorder that causes one to obsess over …show more content…
Patients with mental disorders, primarily BDD, are suing doctors for malpractice because they are never content with the results of the surgery and the courts are ruling in their favor. For example, a woman named Lynn G had 50 cosmetic procedures done (surgical and nonsurgical) by Dr. Hugo because she was dissatisfied with the results of a tummy tuck (Nugent). The court case of Lynn G v. Hugo has ruled in favor of the patient (Lynn G) because the patient cannot consent due to her Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Lynn G’s argument included the fact that Dr. Hugo should’ve recognized Lynn G’s abnormal demand for surgery and that she was on medication for depression to conclude that she had a mental disorder; therefore, Dr. Hugo lost due to negligence (Nugent). The problem can be solved by plastic/cosmetic doctors educating themselves on the matter. If this problem continues to get ignored, patients will continue to suffer and doctors will continue to get sued. However, education is just the beginning of the
Surgeons discussed their widespread discomfort about how many people were getting plastic surgery because of these programs. When they were asked what they’re greatest fear is they responded, “The reason for getting plastic surgery”. They believe it is encouraging them to altar themselves in a negative manner. This is also one of the issues that Pink, an American singer, song writer, and actress brings to attention in her video “Stupid
...cosmetic surgery has been created to bring back the features to its original condition there are still those who avail of it to recreate themselves. Cosmetic surgery has an intention of restoration and to achieve a normal look for those who are unfortunate to be born disfigured. There are good benefits such as an increase in beauty, self-esteem, confidence and monetary benefits. Aside from this, there are negative consequences such as a chance of a failing operation, scars and a risk of complications arising. In addition, a person who is an addict may choose to undergo cosmetic surgery even if it is not needed and even if there is a great risk. Perhaps something can be done to regulate the accessibility of undergoing cosmetic surgery to reduce complications. The explanations may be different but getting under the knife be should not be a tool to recreate one’s self.
“Individuals are encouraged, even expected to make ‘lifestyle’ choices to maximize their life chance and simultaneously held responsible for managing and minimizing the risk associated with these decisions” (Leve, 2012:124). Media discourse is part of everyone’s day to day life, ideals of bodies are shown in all these media communication’s in order to appeal to the consumer. This could be considered to have made society become obsessed by looks, meaning that individuals feel the pressures to keep up with how people are represented in the media, for example recognized celebrities in magazines. According to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or BAAPS, there was a 16.5 percent increase of procedures in 2012. These statistics show that cosmetic surgery is becoming normalized, “This is how we live now. Anything that makes us feel better about our appearance, whether it involves needles, knives or acid, is acceptable’ (Wiseman, 2012)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder, referred to as BDD, is a mental illness that is termed when people struggle to control their negative thoughts regarding their physical appearance. These thoughts may cause severe emotional distress and may begin to interfere with everyday functioning. When a large amount of distress is brought about, issues relative to work or school may occur along with social problems between family and friends. Those affected from BDD may undergo unnecessary plastic surgeries to correct what they view as imperfections. People who suffer with BDD present compulsive or repetitive behaviors and will, most likely, attempt to hide what they believe are flaws. For example, individuals are likely to ‘camouflage’ themselves by changing their hair, body position, or even clothing until they are satisfied with the way they see themselves. In order for one to fully comprehend Body Dysmorphic Disorder, one must be able to recognize reoccurring symptoms, be able to determine the possible causing factors of the disorder, and understand how serious the disorder can be in relation to death.
The media has had an increasingly destructive effect on young people who are becoming worryingly obsessed with their body image. The media is saturated in sexual imagery in which young people have to face every day. The sheer volume of sexual imagery in the media today has resulted in the vast majority of young people to become hooked on looking as near to perfection everyday by using the latest products and buying the latest fashions. This used to be enough but lately the next step to achieving perfection is cosmetic surgery. Everyone wants to look attractive, especially teenagers who are not only put under massive strain to succeed but to look beautiful and climb the ranks of the social ladder, and it seems that the only way to achieve the much desired beauty is to turn to drastic measures.
Cosmetic surgery consists not just of enhancing someones beauty, but also to help those who have been badly damaged in an accident or who have physical birth defects. Many believe that women are the main gender that go for cosmetic surgery. Yet studies have shown that 11% of men are also getting cosmetic surgery - in fact since 1992, the percentage of men getting cosmetic surgery has gone up by 50%. Middle aged men see plastic surgery as an investment in their career prospects. It is important to know that it is neither sex nor age which makes some type of aesthetic surgery procedure feasible, but what is important is a good general health condition.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), formerly known as dysmorphophobia, is characterized by a preoccupation of one or more perceived defects and or flaws in one’s physical appearance. These defects and or flaws are either not observable to others or appear slightly to other’s. This disorder is also characterized by repetitive behaviors and mental acts as a response to their beliefs on their personal appearance. These behaviors can include but are not limited to mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, and comparing ones appearance to others. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013), those with this disorder have concerns on their physical appearance ranging from “looking unattractive, not right, to looking hideous or like a monster”. The most common concerns those with this disorder have are obsessions about their skin, hair, or nose; however it is not limited to these specifications of the body. Any part of the body can be of concern to an individual such as eyes, teeth, breasts, legs, lips, etc. These preoccupations are time consuming, intrusive, unwanted, and are generally difficult for the individual to control or even resist.
According to Discourse and Society “Cosmetic surgery needs to be seen as an important social practice because it merges the attention given to the body by an individual person with the values and priorities of the consumer society.” Younger generations are easily drawn to the hype that is presented by the media, and in turn look at themselves as imperfect, and seek to make changes to their body as a result.
Some people have decided that plastic surgery may help improve someones mental health and therefore should be included in health care insurance, I think this is just absurd. I am all for the improvement of mental health care considering it is very lacking in this country but I also think that until there is more proof to this argument we should not include it in everyones medical insurance fees. America is having a crises when it comes to mental health care and already doesn't include mental health care in many insurance policies as it is and this far fetched idea may not be a good thing to add in for the general public until we have more evidence to support this topic. However, I don't think general cosmetic surgery should be allowed, I do see the benefit of other "cosmetic" surgeries such as gender reassignment surgery which I feel these are less cosmetic and more geared towards mental health.Basically, I generally disagree with the idea that cosmetic
In conclusion, the benefits of cosmetic surgery differ between people and situations; any negative thoughts of others may have an effect on a person’s decision to have a procedure done, but it is for the patient to decide if changing their body is the right decision for them. Regardless of the influences on the younger generation, unrealistic ideologies of patients, and moral issues others may have, plastic surgery will continue to be a huge part of society. However, society should be focusing on how to encourage others to seek happiness in whatever they seem fit, rather than choose to destroy the aspirations of others who choose to build a perfect body for
While many people think that cosmetic surgery can help them to reach the flawless beauty, it may be true that their actual inner illnesses or lack of confidence in themselves is still not
Some people’s obsession with plastic surgery is obviously getting out of control. It starts with only getting one thing fixed or corrected but then quickly escalates and before you know it, a face that once was all-flesh turns into plastic. According to a study conducted by Nigel Mercer (2009), “The number of official cosmetic surgeries has more than tripled to 34,000 since 2003”. The two reasons why plastic surgery should be banned are because of its high health risks, and because of the additional pressure it puts on people to look picture-perfect.
If you think about all of the mental diseases that have to do with body image, they could all have an impact on whether or not someone considers mutilating their body. A study in August of 2007 shows that the long term risk of suicide in tripled for women who have undergone cosmetic surgery. It has been strongly suggested over the years that to improve mental health of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery should have a mental screening and follow up meeting prior to the surgery, to make sure they will be mentally okay with the change and that they are sure they want to go through. Although these tripled suicide rates could vanish if we all in all ban cosmetic surgery. An article about why people seeking plastic surgery should have mental health screenings says, “Women with breast implants also had higher rates of death from psychiatric disorders, including a three-fold increase in deaths resulting from alcohol and drug dependence. Several additional deaths, classified as accidents or injuries, might have been suicides or involved psychiatric disorders or drug/alcohol abuse as a contributing cause. "Thus at least 38 deaths (22% of all deaths) in this implant cohort were associated with suicide, psychological disorders, and/or drug and alcohol abuse/dependence," the researchers write.” (Espejo) Having a mental order like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) could be a huge influence on wanting plastic
There has been a substantial increase in cosmetic surgery being performed on individuals to enhance their looks leading to perception of beauty being changed in society. Many people who receive cosmetic surgery claimed that the surgery has improved their overall mental and physical well being. We must understand that, the most crucial and motivating factor of people wanting cosmetic surgery is through body image. There is two components of constructs in body image, body image through orientation, refers to how important the body is to the person. The second leading factor for cosmetic surgery is body image evaluation,
In 2007 alone, Americans spent $13 billion on 11.7 million cosmetic procedures. This is a fact that, to me is astounding. In such a world of debt and loss of jobs this industry has flourished with out even a hint of slowing down, for some this has become and addiction. Many major television networks have covered the dramatic growth and addiction of the procedure, which such shows as “MTV’s True life I’m getting unusual plastic surgery” or “True life I hate my plastic surgery” as well as “botched” and “My strange addiction”. Now the shows show different spectrums of this billion-dollar industry. For example on an episode of My strange addiction on addict has had 125 different procedures to look like the Ken doll which has cost him up to nearly $160,000. On botched this show centers on procedures that have gone wrong. In once instance the show features a woman named Alicia that has had a breast augmentation that has gone completely wrong from the position of the implants to the location under the skin where they were put