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Tiffany Chen
Ms. Gardner
English 10 Honors
6 May 2014
Behind the Mask of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is on the rise. As a yearly $10.1 billion industry, these costly procedures
draw women, men, and young teenagers to undergo surgery in hopes of improving their bodys
functional abilities or appearance (Goudreau). There are two general types of plastic surgery:
reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive plastic surgery is used for medical purposes, such as
fixing physical birth defects and other abnormalities. Cosmetic plastic surgery however, is
typically unrelated to medical conditions and is instead used to achieve a desired appearance.
While reconstructive plastic surgery can dramatically enhance ones life, cosmetic plastic
surgery which is mainly used for modifying physical features, is a controversial issue. Cosmetic
plastic surgery is rapidly latching onto the standards of social norm and as Diana Zuckerman, the
president of the National Research Center for Women and Families states, there is an increase
in all kinds of plastic surgery among children and teens under 18 (Olding). As tolerant attitudes
are established towards these procedures, the increasing negligence of risks becomes apparent.
Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures should be limited by regulation of laws due to the excessive
cost, emotional health risks, and physical hazards.
Cosmetic plastic surgery has beneficial aspects as it can provide the patient with self
satisfactiona factor that is able to enrich a persons lifestyle. In the article Change of
Face...Change of Fate, a respondent Kearney-Cooke notes, often plastic surgery modifies the
body image, and that modifies behavior. An increase in confidence and physical appeal can



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garner new possibilities, such as relationships or job promotions. In addition, plastic surgery
patients are viable to argue that they posses full responsibility and rights over their body. New
York plastic surgeon, Joseph Michael Pober, remarks that cosmetic plastic surgery is a way of
changing your own genetic lineage, your own future, your own fate (Neimark). Though these
positive effects may deem plastic surgery worthwhile, an individuals acceptance and usage of
the procedure can affect those around them. Young adults, friends, and family members, could
be persuaded to join the rising plastic surgery rates after viewing only the positive effects. It is
true cosmetic plastic surgery patients will experience substantial benefits in these procedures
however they can significantly influence people around them and establish a skewed perspective
on plastic surgery.
Indeed, cosmetic plastic surgery can change ones lifestyle, but it can also change the
amount of money in their wallet. A sufficient amount of money is necessary for these cosmetic
procedures and while this may be basic knowledge for cosmetic plastic surgery enthusiasts, the
expected cost may end up staggeringly higher. Statistics from the 2012 Plastic Surgery Statistics
report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons indicate the cheapest surgical cosmetic
procedure is dermabrasion, costing $1,262 and the most expensive is the lower body lift, costing
$8,082. Along with these hefty prices are the additional fees that can emerge from hospital
charges or further complications such as scar removal after surgery. There can be financial
pressure on the patient if they perceive their procedure as an investment. The American
Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has disclosed that two thirds of its
members used plastic surgery to remain competitive in the workplace (Wolgemuth). Those
who consider cosmetic plastic surgery as a future career boost are at an especially high risk of
being financially pressured if their procedure is not executed as originally planned. The cost of



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these surgeries can be easily belittled by patients and is therefore an important risk factor in
cosmetic plastic surgery.
In addition to the excessive cost, cosmetic plastic surgery can trigger emotional
and mental sensitivity such as depression. In the April 2004 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, it was revealed that seven exhibited emotional stress out of thirty seven studies. These
few were found to have a history of depression, anxiety, or unrealistic expectations; researchers
indicated they desired a repeat procedure and experienced dissatisfaction, social isolation, and
self destructive behavior (Dittmann). These cases symbolize underlying problems of patients
unfixable by plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery can be regarded as a type of treatment to
increase confidence. This mentality is only temporarily however, as the results from the
procedures wear off over time. Mary Pritchard, a psychology professor at Boise State University
expresses her opposition towards young teenagers undergoing procedures to fix emotional
problems, If you haven't solved why you feel as you do about yourself, there are few things you
can do externally to erase internal issues." (Collins).
In addition, Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD can be evident in patients seeking
cosmetic plastic surgery. Through recent study, it was reported that in nearly half a sample of
180 subjects with BDD, 70% sought cosmetic treatments and 58% had already undergone a
procedure (Crerand). Cosmetic plastic surgery is unpredictable and can result in dissatisfaction.
If society disregards the perceptions linked to popular standards, both the young and old will
undergo pressure to attain an accepted body image; this is exhibited in the thriving rates of
plastic surgery procedures which many rely upon to achieve their goal. Before performing
surgery the patients intentions should be thoroughly analyzed to confirm the procedure will not



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potentially lead to mental or emotional instability. The patients need to be prepared for the
physical results, negative or positive, so there will not be severe physiological consequences.
Physical health issues are a major concern involved in plastic surgery, as they can be
unexpectedly acquired after the procedure. With the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
reporting 14.6 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were done in 2012 alone, the rapid
progression largely represents the increase of social acceptance towards cosmetic plastic surgery.
As the demand to acquire a favored appearance increases, the critical health risks become less
emphasized. The physical consequences are highlighted in the article Teens Cosmetic Dreams
Dont Always Come True. Kacey Long, a participant guest featured in MTVs documentary, I
Want a Famous Face, discusses the silicone poisoning she contracted from her breast
augmentation when she was merely 18. Only a couple years later she had to have the implants
removed; she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and suffered from discomfort,
rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. These unprecedented aftermaths reflect the extreme
influence of society, as young adults and even children are willing to jeopardize their well being
to fit in with social standards. Approximately 100 deaths per year are tied to plastic surgery
procedures (Rodale). Though rare, these cases show the possible danger in undergoing a
procedure without careful precautions and maturity.
In conclusion, financial sustainability, emotional conflict, and physical damage are
serious aspects involved in cosmetic plastic surgery that are avoidable through consideration and
self reflection. The age limit and established law for the procedures should be solely eighteen
and older to prevent young children and teenagers from making impulsive decisions that stay
permanent throughout their lives. This limitation would also ensure they are nearly or fully
developed after puberty. Another important complication is the issue of emotional stability.



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Doctors should confirm their patients are being monitored and under stable mental conditions to
be able to undergo any kind of plastic surgery. Being that plastic surgery can be lethal, the
consequences of the procedures should be thoroughly warned to patients beforehand.
Society itself requires regulations towards the misleading images it is instilling in the
youth. Depicted daily in billboards of thin models, magazines of artificial beauty created by
photoshop and makeup, established list of worlds prettiest faces, are the social flaws that
humans often support unconsciously. A significant step in demolishing the fixed notion of beauty
is to tackle the artificiality that masks it. By applying more laws and exposing the reality behind
cosmetic plastic surgery, we can prevent more risk factors as well as promote inner beautya
lifelong quality.







Works Cited
Crerand, Canice E., Martin E. Franklin, and David B. Sarwer. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
and Cosmetic Surgery. Philadelphia: Prs Journal, Dec. 2006. PDF.
Collins, Lois M. "Teens Turn to Plastic Surgery." Deseret News. 12 Mar. 2013: n.p. SIRS
Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.



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Davis, Robert. "Teens' Cosmetic Dreams Don't Always Come True." USA TODAY. 29
Jul. 2004: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Dittmann, Melissa. "Plastic Surgery: Beauty or Beast?" Apa. American Psychological
Association, Sept. 2005. Web. 05 May 2014.
Goudreau, Jenna. "The Hidden Dangers Of Cosmetic Surgery." Forbes. Forbes
Magazine, 16 June 2011. Web. 02 May 2014.
Neimark, Jill. "Change of Face...Change of Fate." Psychology Today. May/June 1994:
42+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
Olding, Michael, and Diana Zuckerman. "Cosmetic Surgery and Teens."Washington
Post. The Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2004. Web. 07 May 2014.
Rodale, Maria. "What Would Wendy Davis Do? The REAL Threat to Women's Health."
The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost, 29 July 2013. Web. 08 May 2014.
"2012 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report." American Society of Plastic Surgeons. N.p., n.d.
Web. 5 May 2014.
Wolgemuth, Liz. "How Plastic Surgery Can Boost Your Career - US News." US News
RSS. Us.news, 12 May 2008. Web. 06 May 2014.