Cosmetic Surgery Essay

History

The med-dictionary defines cosmetic surgery also commonly referred to as plastic surgery as any that modifies or improves the appearance of a physical feature, irregularity, or defect.“Plastic surgery” comes from the Greek word Plastikos which means the shape or mold. The most commonly known procedures are for aesthetic purposes. However, most plastic surgery procedures do not serve this purpose. Burn victims for example may require cosmetic surgery due to damaged tissue. In this society where remaining young and beautiful seem to be an obsession, millions of people all over the world undergo cosmetic surgery each year.

Cosmetic surgery can be traced back to 600 BC when a Hindu surgeon reconstructed a nose of a patient using a piece of the cheek. Nose reconstruction was a common procedure that was being performed by 1000 AD because of the custom of cutting off the nose and the upper lips of the enemy. Although cosmetic surgery’s history is rooted in medical applications, over the years it has become a tool to preserve youth and beauty. “In the 16th century, Gaspare Tagliacozzi, known as ‘the father of plastic surgery,’ reconstructed noses slashed off by swords during duels by transferring flaps of upper arm skin. This procedure was also used to correct the saddle nose deformity of syphilis” (Donohoe, 2006, p. 11).

In the 19th people were aware of the existence of reconstructive but it took a turn from its reconstructive roots that was traceable to India and Italy to more cosmetic applications.

Between 1887 and 1898 rhinoplasty publications came to the United States and Germany. Many doctors began an in depth study attempting to improving such procedures. In 1892 Robert F. Weir, a doctor, began restoring sunken noses ...

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...lion soft tissue fillers, 1.2 million chemical peels, 1.1 million laser hair removals and 970,000 microdermabrasions.

Breast augmentations, rhinoplasties and liposuctions were the top three surgeries performed in the United States in 2010 to 2013.The fair surgery costs are $5,889, $7.015 and $4,403 respectively (Healthcare Bluebook, 2014). In the year 2011 to 2013, women had more than 10.3 million cosmetic procedures. This accounts for 90.6% of the total. The top five surgical procedures for women were: breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast lift and eyelid surgery. Men on the other handhad more than 1 million cosmetic procedures. This accounts for 9.4% of the total. The top five surgical procedures for men were: liposuction, eyelid surgery, nose surgery, male breast reduction and ear surgery( American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2014).