Plastic Surgery (Essay Sample)

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Plastic Surgery
The modern society values looks and beauty. In literary works, for instance, attractiveness is a symbol for an admirable protagonist. On the other hand, ugliness is an indication of an abominable antagonist. At a tender age, children are indoctrinated to value beauty. This trend did not kick-off a few years ago--people constructed corsets dangerously during the Victorian era. It is true that plastic surgery has been around for millennia. However, it is only recently that masses began accepting the practice and integrating it in their life values.
Plastic surgery is not all about silicone implants. Those that dearly adore the process are convinced that their lives will improve greatly (Pusic et al. 1364). As such, it is arguable that people in the modern world embrace plastic surgery as a solution to professional and personal issues. The fact that appearance forms an integral part of human life implies that mainstream acceptance of plastic and cosmetic surgery is unavoidable. However, the mass adoption molds a society that neglects ability and opts instead for appearance.
Ancient Indians are credited for developing rhinoplasty. This form of plastic surgery entails mutilation of the nose and other facial parts as a form of instilling morals to wayward individuals. The practice conceived a connection between a crooked or unattractive nose and immorality. Nose is an organ mostly exposed to the public thus is regarded as a symbol of personal integrity besides being a vital beauty aspect.
Even in the western world, admitting that ‘work' has been done on an individual's body was a taboo. In fact, patients took extreme measures like sneaking backdoor to a doctor's office and hiding identities. However, such mindset has changed tremendously over the past few decades. As an era of TV and internet explosion took over, more patients became interested in transforming their looks. Today, plastic surgery facilities swell with patients seeking counsel on the way forward. Others accompanied by their friends and families as a demonstration of support (Jones 17).
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) notes that in the US alone, more than 11.5 million nonsurgical and cosmetic surgical procedures are conducted on an annual basis (Ahmad et al. 216). It is a common phenomenon to spot a website claiming that plastic surgery boosts vitality, self-esteem and the level of confidence. Plastic surgery marketers consider the process as a complete overhaul of flawed looks for perfection. Such statements are appealing to a targeted population, hence an upsurge in medical admittance.
With all the advances in medicine, adequate technology to support effective plastic surgeries is still out of reach. While many participants of plastic operation are wooed by meticulous and carefully choreographed adverts, those that fall into the trap soon realize that the newly-found confidence is temporary. A few months after operations, victims are affected emotionally and physically. From the beginning, they fail to realize that doctors are in business and aim to maximize profits. Only a handful of plastic surgery facilities care about patients' wellbeing. The rest fail to disclose long lasting effects of plastic surgery and the need for recurrent reconstructive operations. Even worse, insecurities immediately set in, especially if the process fails to produce the expected outcome (Shridharanu et al. 2246). Marketing strategies employed for cosmetic and plastic surgeries inscribes unrealistic expectations to the public thus heightening the potential for a disappointment.
Patients’ friends and family members have a role to play to ensure they are accepted in the society. For many, positive approval and attention implies that a transformation to ideal beauty has been achieved at last. It means that the emotional and financial costs are worth it. Studies show that an immediate increase of self-confidence after plastic surgery is an illusion. Patients often confuse joy of acceptance and the real self-esteem, even though in a real sense, nobody has approved their actions and new appearances.
Pop culture is shaping the future of plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery and implants are common in the entertainment industry. Resultantly, the American public is being exposed to images of altered beings. In the long-run, the culture becomes a new norm and is embraced by the youthful population. As appearances dominate societal values, people sideline other important human values. For example, teenagers abandon intelligence for beauty.
It is undeniable that vanity is deeply rooted in the Western culture. The desire to become attractive and enviable is no longer an abominable topic nor does it wield a negative connotation. However, the negative effects of plastic surgery are hard to ignore...