Outline

Purpose: to argue that plastic surgery can be beneficial as long as society doesn’t overly
advocate for it
Thesis: Plastic surgery around the world differs from country to country based on societal
expectations and perceptions of beauty. When plastic surgery is well regulated and patient
satisfaction is kept in mind, plastic surgery is an outlet for increasing self-confidence and
perception. However, when a society pushes people to believe that they need plastic surgery, a
line is crossed and plastic surgery becomes destructive.

1. Introduction
2. History
a. The Ugly History of Cosmetic Surgery
i. Summary: Discusses the history of plastic surgery as it dates back to
syphilitic deformities and racialized ideas about acceptable features
ii. Connection to Thesis: plastic surgery ebbs and flows with the times and
society, however the goal is to improve the physical attributes of a person.
If done correctly and with the right expectations in mind, plastic surgery is
a great way to increase self confidence. However, there is a thin line to
cross when plastic surgery becomes dangerous to mental health.
3. Plastic Surgery Around the World
a. America
i. Nip. Tuck. Or Else.
1. Summary: discusses American plastic surgery and its increasing
popularity and normalization
2. Connection to Thesis: this connects because it shows the current
state of American plastic surgery and how society influences the
prevalence of plastic surgery
ii. New Plastic Surgery Statistics Reveal Focus on Face and Fat
1. Summary: statistics about American plastic surgery
2. Connection to Thesis: the rising number of surgery procedures that
emphasize face and increasing the size of breasts and butts are a
reflection on the factors of a body Americans find the most
important to maintain
iii. Cosmetic Surgery Laws Often Aren’t Enough
1. Summary: laws in America about plastic surgery
2. Connection to Thesis: regulation is important and can be improved
even in places like America
b. South Korea
i. About face: Why is South Korea the World’s Plastic-Surgery Capital?
 1. Summary: discusses how plastic surgery is so intensely rooted in
South Korean society that it has the highest rate of plastic surgery
per capita in the world
2. Connection to Thesis: South Korea is an illustration of how a
society can negatively influence plastic surgery and create it to
have a negative impacts on people and patients who feel pressured
to get work done
4. Social Media
a. Snapchat Dysmorphia Points to a Troubling New Trend in Plastic Surgery
i. Summary: discusses the prevalence of using snapchat filters to suggest
plastic and cosmetic procedures
ii. Connection to Thesis: this article shows the impact of social media on the
increase in plastic surgery, which depicts American society
b. Selfies Make Your Nose Look 30% Bigger, Study Says
i. Summary: this article discusses how selfies distort your facial image
ii. Connection to Thesis: this article connects to my thesis because it shows
how social media in society can be used to influence the desire to get
plastic surgery for a person; societies which heavily use social media are
very influenced to modify their bodies to increase their self esteem
5. Implications
a. Psychological Impacts/Patient Satisfaction
i. Psychiatric Issues in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
1. Summary: discusses patient satisfaction, self-image, and patients
who are likely to report low levels of satisfaction
2. Connection to Thesis: plastic surgery can have negative effects
when patients have a different expectation of a result than the
reality of it, yet plastic surgery can also have positive effects on
self-esteem and image
b. Young Patients
i. Children’s Bodies, Parent’s Choice
1. Summary: discusses underage plastic surgeon patients and their
rise over the years in a multitude of countries
2. Connection to Thesis: plastic surgery is controversial and can be
taken too far when societies expect children to get plastic surgery;
the article is an example of negative implications of plastic surgery
6. Conclusion