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Should cosmetic surgery be banned?

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Background and context


Cosmetic surgery (also known as plastic surgery) is surgery that is unnecessary from a medical perspective, but is
carried out to improve appearance. Cosmetic surgery is an ancient practice. In the 8th century BC, the Indian surgeon
Sushruta Samhita described what is known today as rhinoplasty (surgery to the nose) and otoplasty (to the ear).
Body alteration more generally has been carried out by all peoples, from tribal tattoos to the neck-extending Kayans of
Thailand. But modern medicine has made the possibilities of cosmetic surgery far more extensive.
Anaesthesia has made procedures less unpleasant and less dangerous. In the aftermath of each of the two World Wars,
cosmetic surgery leapt forwards as the demand for reconstructive surgery created skills and techniques that could be as
easily applied to (perceived) improvements to image as to medical necessity. Consequently, cosmetic surgery has become
increasingly popular. In 1948, fewer than 300 board-certified plastic surgeons were in practice in the USA; today the
number is more than 4,000. In 2004 12 million cosmetic operations were conducted in the USA alone. Where America has
led, much of the world has followed. Television shows and newspaper supplements are now devoted to cosmetic surgery
and makeover programmes advocate it. Today more and more parts of the body can be improved. Once the possibilities
for surgery were relatively restricted, now almost anything can be the subject of cosmetic surgery. To name but a few,
common operations include abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck or reshaping/firming of the abdomen), blepharoplasty
(eyelid surgery), buttock implants/reductions, chemical peels (removal of acne scars and sagging skin), chin and cheek
augmentation, lipectomy (or liposuction removal of fat from the body), and rhytidectomy (aface lift) Among the most
popular procedures are the otoplasty and rhinoplasty mentioned earlier, and finally and most commonly, surgery for the
breasts: both mammaplasty ("breast enlargement/reduction") and mastoplexy (breast lift) collectively known as boob
jobs. Cosmetic surgery to genitalia is increasingly common. This article considers only cosmetic surgery carried out
purely to improve appearance, and does not address plastic surgery for medical reasons, for example post-disfigurement
reconstruction or remedial surgery.

Argument #1
Yes

No

We live in a world that is image obsessed, and

Thats nice. But given that the reality is that

this kind of procedure panders to that. We

were judged on our appearance all the time,

should promote the idea that appearance is not

its perfectly rational to want to look good.

as important as character. People should be

Nobodys forcing anyone to have cosmetic

content with themselves and not be so hung

surgery the market is driven by demand.

up on their looks.

Argument #2
Yes

No

There are dangers involved in any kind of

We should not restrict freedom of choice.

surgery. Sometimes we must accept those

Certainly theres an element of danger

dangers, as they come in the course of

involved. But we let people box. We let people

necessary medical procedures. But with

bungee jump. They undertake these dangers

elective surgery procedures people dont

for fun or for money. Why shouldnt we let

need, but rather merely want the risks cant

people undertake dangers in the pursuit of

be justified. These risks apply both to the

beauty, and higher self esteem? Furthermore,

surgery itself, and to the long term. For

cosmetic surgery is becoming safer and safer.

example, leaking silicone breast implants have

It is increasingly strictly policed and sky-high

been a widespread problem and can lead to

legal pay-outs by bad surgeons have ensured

death. Once, paraffin was often injected into

that practitioners take more and more care.

the face to smooth wrinkles, with disastrous

Technology in surgery and in implants and so

effects. Silicon often finds its way into other

forth is forever improving. The scare stories

parts of the body, such as the lymph glands,

the proposition talk about are the worst

and can prevent the early detection of breast

examples of thirty years ago theyre nothing

cancer as doctors often think real lumps are

to do with cosmetic surgery today.

silicon leakage. Who today knows the full


future implications of injecting the highly
dangerous poison Botox into ones face?

Argument #3
Yes

No

To attempt to dress cosmetic surgery in the

This freedom issue is particularly important to

flag of feminism is absurd. If anything,

women, who have historically been subjugated

cosmetic surgery is the latest phenomenon in

by men, their bodies regarded as owned and

the long history of the objectification of women

for the use of men. Cosmetic surgery the

in society. Women are driven to meet male

ultimate control over ones body, perhaps is

standards of beauty, exaggerating their shape

the latest stage in the emancipation of women

and seeking to remain youthful lest their

and their ability to decide what happens to

partner leave them for (often literally) a

their bodies. Cosmetic surgery is empowering.

younger model. Today many operations are


arranged by male partners rather than by the
women themselves. Cosmetically-enhanced
celebrities are redefining definitions of
attractiveness for new generations, leading
young girls who would have been considered
naturally beautiful in past decades to see
themselves as plain and to seek their own
surgical remedies.

Argument #5
Yes

No

Doctors should heal, not waste their talent on

People pay handsomely for cosmetic surgery. It

appearance. Precious talent and resources are

costs the state nothing, except in situations in

spent on this frivolous activity. Surgeons

which the operation is necessary medically.

should do medical operations that are needed,

Cosmetic surgery can turn a profit for hospitals

not cosmetic procedures that are desired.

that is put towards more general medical


areas. And doctors receive training and
practice in difficult techniques which can then
be used to help patients in genuine need.

Argument #4
Yes

No

The pressures of appearance apply particularly

If women or anyone else are secure enough

to women. Pregnancy and ageing have

not to bother with cosmetic surgery, then fine.

predictable effects: they should be accepted

But there are many who find that their

with grace, not fought against. The messages

appearance truly troubles them and that

sent when some women have procedures are

improving it would greatly enhance their

firstly that the prejudices some have about

quality of life. If they can afford it, let them.

appearance are valid, and secondly that those


women secure enough not to contemplate
going under the knife are letting themselves
go.

Argument #6
Yes

No

The black market argument applies to

Cosmetic surgery happens because people

everything illegal. Of course that risk exists,

want it often, desperately. If banned,

but the number of those undertaking the

cosmetic surgery will flourish on a black

activity will be smaller, as you concede. Lack of

market. It will still happen, but it will be very

legal safeguards and medical accountability,

expensive (and therefore only available to the

and the probability that only badly qualified

very rich) and it will be much more dangerous

doctors will offer illegal operations will deter

as it will be done by unscrupulous doctors and

almost everyone from risking black market

outside all the safety precautions the legal

surgery. Fewer operations must be desirable if

environment provides.

it is agreed that the activity concerned should


be banned. Black market activity will be
vigorously policed and after all, its usually
pretty obvious if someone has had surgery.

Argument #7
Yes

No

Cosmetic surgery is addictive: look at Michael

This is patronising, insulting and wrong. The

Jackson, or Lolo Ferrarri, who got breast

vast majority of people who have cosmetic

implant after breast implant despite the harm

surgery have one procedure and never look

it did her body. The compulsion to change

back. Theyre made happier and more secure

ones body is often a symptom of a deeper

in themselves because of it. Its fine to oppose

mental instability. It should be treated as a

cosmetic surgery, but dont falsely portray

problem, not indulged and encouraged with

those that have it as being mentally unstable.

surgery. Its only a plaster patched over a


much deeper problem.

Argument #8
Yes

No

Pointing to accidental side-benefits of cosmetic

The development of cosmetic surgery over the

surgery will not cover up the fact that its

years has been intertwined with that of

intention is to make money, not make people

reconstructive and more general medical

better. If a fraction of the efforts pumped into

surgery. Cosmetic surgery has greatly aided

it went into proper medicine, the medical world

reconstructive surgery. For example,

would be much more advanced than it is today.

maxillofacial surgery, or surgery of the jaw,

And the fact that the benefits arise from

has developed with insights from both plastic

chance merely serves to highlight the greed

surgeons and oral surgeons. Its impossible to

that constitutes the essential nature of

say in some areas who contributed the

cosmetic surgery: those benefits ought to be

greatest advances, the cosmetic or the

all of medicines aim, not an accident resulting

mainstream. To shut down cosmetic surgery

from it. Certainly people make money and

would be to cut off a valuable outlet for

careers in normal medicine, but they are giving

research and discovery. The market can

treatments that aim to make people well, not

sometimes create great benefits: people work

look different.

hard in pursuit of profits and often their work


can help us all. Plenty of people make a good
living from normal medicine and they are not
criticised, the same should be true for privately
provided medicine: theres nothing wrong with
turning a profit.

Argument #9

Yes

No

Theres a fair debate to be had here about

How do you define cosmetic surgery? Much of

what we all know we mean when we talk about

the cosmetic work done greatly improves not

cosmetic surgery. Balloon-breasted Barbie-doll

just appearance, but quality of life. Operation

models and self-indulgent collagen boosters

Smile, which fixes oral and facial deformities

are the issue, and trying to squirm out of

found in poor children across the world, is

defending them by pointing to sad children is

doing cosmetic surgery. Sure you can survive

pretty weak. Because the answer is obvious -

with a hare lip or a cleft palate. But your

hare lip correction is legitimate surgery.

quality of life your self esteem, employability,

Collagen injection to hide aging is not.

acceptance in a traditional society, etc is


much better without one. Following this
principle, breast reduction or augmentation or
the removal of acne scars can be just as
important.

Argument #10
Yes

No

If the opposition is right and plastic surgery is

You can spend your money how you like. Why

desirable, then such surgery is unfair. Only

shouldnt people be allowed to make the

those that can pay for it get it. So if it has

personal choice to change their appearance with

the advantages the opposition claims, the

their own cash? Better that than ask others to

rich will look good, and the poor will not.

contribute through the state. Furthermore, the


appearance division the proposition seeks to
suggest between rich and poor is much more
dependent on quality of diet. Diet is a universal
factor that affects complexion, height, etc, while
cosmetic surgery is a relatively insignificant
factor in statistical terms and one that only
affects the particular thing on which surgery is
conducted.

Argument #11
Yes

No

In fact, often, people look appalling after

That might be true. Let people choose what

plastic surgery. Celebrities with trout pout

happens to their bodies for themselves. For

overblown lips, or absurd, balloon-like breasts,

every horror story, there are hundreds of

are only the most well known examples.

people who are happier with their appearance


after surgery whether you prefer their new
appearance or not.

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