Abstract
Different methods that allow relatively easy and safe appearance transformation have emerged. They enable people to meet the existing beauty standards and to fix the imperfections. Nonetheless, plastic surgery, unlike the medical one, is a commercial product in the first place. The media is full of images that promote new standards of beauty and every year more people join the beauty industry entrusting their well-being and peace of mind to the scalpel. Though the ideology of cosmetic surgery gives individuals perception of a sense of fulfillment and acceptance, it could cause self-esteem harm in the aftermath. Importantly, people may have illusory ideas of the operation results and often feel frustration afterward. Nevertheless, many patients claimed that they feel healthier, calmer, and have higher self-esteem after undergoing an intervention. Despite the potential positive effects, it is impossible to state whether an intervention will be successful. In that matter, it is essential to consult a patient on the possible consequences and to check the psychological well-being of the individual to ensure he or she has truthful perceptions. Nonetheless, there are cases when cosmetic intervention is essential to allow a person to lead a normal life.
Gaining Confidence with a Scalpel
Many people, who are dissatisfied with their appearance, tend to change their looks through a variety of procedures. It is essential to note that not everyone resorts to plastic surgery as some people try to improve their inner world in the first place. Nevertheless, the 21 century is the time of cosmetology and plastic surgery; the beauty industry is so highly developed that people often lose their individuality in the pursuit of perfection imposed to them, and importantly, many of them later wish to regain their old face and body, which has been changed with the help of a scalpel. Over the last decade, various methods that allow relatively easy and safe appearance transformation have emerged.
They enable people and women especially to meet the beauty standards that exist in their minds or, at least, to fix what they dislike the most (Khazir, Dehdari, Mahmoodi Majdabad, & Pournaghash Tehrani, 2016). However, the number of men turning to plastic surgery is also increasing. Nonetheless, plastic surgery, unlike medical one, is a commercial product that the beauty clinics want to sell. The media is full of images that promote new standards of beauty and every year more people join the beauty industry entrusting their well-being and peace of mind to the scalpel. It should be stated that, though, the ideology of cosmetic surgery gives individuals perception of a sense of fulfillment and acceptance, it could cause self-esteem harm in the aftermath.
Argumentation
Most studies conducted by clinicians and professionals working in the field of plastic surgery showed that patients are satisfied with the results in the majority of cases. However, researches conducted by scholars revealed the statistics indicating that there are factors significantly affecting the positive assessment of the results. For instance, aspects such as patient’s age, sex, psychiatric and psychological problems, depression, or anxiety syndrome, as well as the individual characteristics of personality affect the results greatly. It is important to note that younger patients may have high expectations or illusory ideas of the operation results (C. Markey & P. Markey, 2009). Due to the overvalued expectations, they quite often feel frustration afterward.
Moreover, studies have shown that patients are often disappointed with the results of operations that have radically changed their appearance rather than patients who resorted to minor interventions. In addition, the patient’s motivation plays an important role. For example, patients turning to surgeons to meet their individual needs are satisfied with the result more frequently, which is reflected in their increased self-esteem, which cannot be noted in patients who have pursued other purposes (for example, problems in personal life, desire to be celebrity look-alike, the transformation of Asian appearance in European and so on). A study conducted by Davis and Vernon (2002) revealed that young women experiencing attachment-related anxiety tend to undergo operations more frequently out of fear to lose their partner. Therefore, in the case of women, it is especially difficult to distinguish the underlying reasons (Khazir et al., 2016).
Interestingly, the conducted psychological studies have raised an important topic of body dysmorphic disorder (a disease in which a person is highly concerned about minor flaws). This mental disorder occurs in almost 20% of all cases. It is necessary to note that BDD is accompanied by a high risk of suicide (Ericksen & Billick, 2012). Patients with BDD that had plastic surgery frequently find new defects in themselves, which leads them to the plastic surgery all over again, and if the outcomes do not meet their expectations, it might result in suicide.
Counter Arguments
Nevertheless, it is necessary to note a positive effect on the self-esteem of patients. The researchers stressed that often enough plastic surgery could help individuals solve their life problems. In general, the scholars found no significant differences in psychological and medical terms (mental health, life satisfaction, and depression) among people undergoing plastic surgery and those who were not interested in it. On average, patients claimed that they were satisfied with the results in the long-term (Menzel et al., 2011). After having their appearance changed, many patients stated that they felt healthier, calmer, and now have higher self-esteem. It can be concluded that the apparent improvement in the appearance invariably leads to increased self-perception. Moreover, patients who are satisfied with the outcomes show a significant increase in the degree of socialization, which further affects their self-esteem in a positive way due to the fact that the patient has no insecurities. It is essential to emphasize that the studies reflected a positive effect on private life and career prospects as well since many patients noted the way peoples’ perceptions of them have improved. People satisfied with their new appearance begin to participate in public life systematically, which is the indirect consequence of plastic surgery as well.
Rebuttal
Despite the potential positive effects of plastic surgery, it is impossible to state precisely whether the intervention will be successful. Every person has individual recovery abilities. There are many cases of severe complications for health, which inevitably entails psychological complications. Moreover, given the complex and often lengthy recovery period, and the possible inconsistency of the result with the initial expectations, patients may grow even bigger psychological issues accompanied by a decreased health status (Menzel et al., 2011). Apart from that, the new appearance can cause drastic changes in the patient’s internal world; therefore, it will be possible to talk about two different personalities of one individual. Accordingly, the self-esteem of this person could be different depending on the outcome.
Nevertheless, there is a category of people for whom plastic surgery is highly advisable. For instance, in cases when the need for reconstructive plastic surgery is evident. In most occurrences, when people have serious imperfections in appearance that hinder their normal life status (such as congenital or acquired as a result of an accident) plastic surgery will allow them to lead a normal and healthy life, which would entail the stabilization of the psychological background as well.
Ethical Implications
One of the most crucial ethical aspects in that matter is the psychological well-being of the patient. As mentioned above, patients with BDD may not realize whether there is a real need for surgery or not. In this regard, each specialist should necessarily refer the patient for psychological counseling in order to assess the psychological health of the individual. As a rule, the dysmorphic disorder is treated with the help of substances affecting the serotonin metabolism in combination with psychotherapy (Ericksen & Billick, 2012). Quite often, family members and close people can have a positive impact on the perceptions of the person. However, expert advice is essential. In some cases, plastic surgery helps people to improve their self-esteem and to get rid of the worries about their appearance, but turning to a psychologist can help determine the real need for the surgery or vice versa to protect the individual from unnecessary intervention.
Summary and Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that the debates over the positive influence of plastic surgery are rational. The overview of researches has revealed that there are both negative and positive implications of the issue. On the one hand, a person can regain confidence and improve self-esteem by eliminating the existing imperfection in his or her appearance. On the other hand, there are many aspects to consider. The outcome of the surgery is not 100% predictable, and the patient might end up with the face or body he or she rejects. In addition, health complications are rather possible. Moreover, there might be no actual need for intervention while, in fact, the consultation of a psychologist or family support is required. There are cases when cosmetic intervention is essential to allow a person to lead a normal life, but it would be reasonable to advise a healthy person planning surgery to consider the implications thoroughly.
References
Davis, D., & Vernon, M. L. (2002). Sculpting the body beautiful: Attachment style, neuroticism, and use of cosmetic surgeries. Sex Roles, 47(3/4), 129-138.
Ericksen, W. L., & Billick, S. B. (2012). Psychiatric issues in cosmetic plastic surgery. Psychiatric Quarterly, 83(3), 343-52. Web.
Khazir, Z., Dehdari, T., Mahmoodi Majdabad, M., & Pournaghash Tehrani, S. (2016). Cosmetic surgery; new cosmetic surgery study findings have been reported by researchers at Tehran university of medical sciences (psychological aspects of cosmetic surgery among females: A media literacy training intervention. Global Journal of Health Science, 8(2), 35-45.
Markey, C. N., & Markey, P. M. (2009). Correlates of young women’s interest in obtaining cosmetic surgery. Sex Roles, 61(3-4), 158-166. Web.
Menzel, J. E., Sperry, S. L., Small, B., Thompson, J. K., Sarwer, D. B., & Cash, T. F. (2011). Internalization of appearance ideals and cosmetic surgery attitudes: A test of the tripartite influence model of body image. Sex Roles, 65(7-8), 469-477. Web.