The Pros And Cons Of Having Cosmetic Surgery
In modern society's quest for perfection, cosmetic surgery
emerges the victor. The rewards of cosmetic surgery are beauty,
youth, and vigor - a modern Fountain of Youth that can be hard
to ignore. Yet cosmetic surgery does present significant risks
and obstacles that cannot be ignored. Only by weighing the
benefits and risks of cosmetic surgery can you determine if the
procedure is the right decision for you.
The Pros Since cosmetic surgery reshapes the natural contours of
the body, it can improve those areas that the individual finds
unattractive or undesirable. Cosmetic surgery can reduce signs
of aging, thereby enhancing the individual's natural beauty and
lending to a more vibrant, youthful appearance. It can also
repair damage caused by trauma, illness, infection,
developmental abnormalities, or heredity.
Since the desirable result of cosmetic surgery is a more
attractive appearance, successful surgeries can have a strong
positive effect on an individual's psychological health.
Enhanced beauty can elevate self-esteem, increase a patient's
sense of self-confidence, and combat depression. Many
individuals will find that they feel more comfortable in the
company of others after cosmetic surgery. Still others feel
their improved appearance helps them conform to the standard of
beauty and vitality expected of them, thereby elevating their
status in society.
The Cons First off, cosmetic surgery is an expensive endeavor
that can present a financial hardship for many patients. Many
single procedures come with price tags well into the thousands
of dollars, and those individuals desiring multiple surgical
procedures will easily find themselves with medical bills that
far exceed the average worker's yearly income.
Also consider that cosmetic surgery is an invasive procedure
that seeks to reshape the natural contours of the body. Surgeons
must cut, bend, stretch, chisel, poke, and otherwise forcibly
manipulate structures of the body into the desired shape in
order for the procedure to be a success. This causes undue
stress on the body resulting in pain and discomfort, bruising,
swelling, and stiffness. The recovery period from cosmetic
surgery can be lengthy for some procedures, lasting up to
several months. Many procedures, though relatively safe, have
the potential for serious complications that may even be
permanent in nature. Side-effects such as nerve damage,
scarring, infection, and chronic pain may result if a surgery
does not go smoothly.
Patients must frequently take time away from normal activities
for the surgery and subsequent recovery period. This means that
patients may have to take time off from work or school and avoid
favorite activities such as sports and playing with their kids
during the initial recovery period. Many patients also find that
they need assistance for a few days after the surgery to help
them get around and take care of daily activities.
Finally, it is important to remember that the desired results
cannot be guaranteed. The potential exists that the surgery will
not produce the "ideal" look the patient was seeking in spite of
the surgeon's best efforts. Cosmetic surgery is not an exact
science, so potential patients need to keep in mind that there
is no way to know what the final outcome will look like until
the procedure has been performed and the recovery period has
passed.