Cosmetic Surgery Essay

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Cosmetic surgery is a globally well-known term, which is undertaken to alter and enhance human self-imageand esteem.Cosmetic surgery is different from all other forms of surgeries and is a treatment for “want” rather than for “need”. Along with gaining popularity due to social obsession, it also creates health risks due to invasive surgery. This essay will argue for government control of cosmetic surgery in the areas of advertisement, medical malpractices and human welfare.

Media advertising industry is playing a vital role in an exponential increase in cosmetic surgery. These advertisements need to be regulated that mislead viewers by showing unrealistic programs, for example rapid weight reduction reality shows. Recent data released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons states that there are more number of aesthetic surgery and weight reduction surgery such as face-lift and liposuction than ever before (as cited in Petrie, Faasse and Fuhrmann, 2008, p.244). According to Crockett, Pruzinsky and Persing, the major reasonbehind this increase is reality television programslike fox’s ‘The Swan’, that attracts viewers by offering various types of discounts, special offers, two for one deal, etc. (as cited inAtiyeh, Rubeiz and Hayek, 2008, p. 835). Crockettet al. depicts that 4 out of 5 patients that undergo cosmetic surgery are regular viewers of reality television programs, which influenced their decision (as cited in Petrie, Faasse and Fuhrmann, 2008, p.245). According to Spilson, Chung, Greenfield and Walters, the reality shows harm viewers by hiding real consequences of complications, infections and failed procedures and thus showing the false picture and misleading audience (as cited in Atiyeh, Rubeiz and Ha...

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...O and Figen Özgür. 2007. "Postoperative satisfaction and the patient’s body image, life satisfaction, and self-esteem: A retrospective study comparing adolescent girls and boys after cosmetic surgery." Aesthetic plastic surgery 31 (6): 739-745.

McHale, Jean V. 2012. "Regulating cosmetic surgery: a scalpel where it is needed 21 (3): 190-191.

Mcsherry, Bernadette. 2007. "COSMETIC SURGERY IN AUSTRALIA : A RISKY BUSINESS? 15 (1).

Newell, Brittany L. 2011. "Informed Consent for Plastic Surgery: Does It Cut Deeply Enough?" Journal of Legal Medicine 32 (3): 315-335.

Petrie, Keith J, Kate E Faasse and Sarah AI Fuhrmann. 2008. "Influence of television on demand for cosmetic surgery." Med J Aust 189 (5): 244-5.

Sterodimas, Aris, Henrique N Radwanski and Ivo Pitanguy. 2011. "Ethical issues in plastic and reconstructive surgery." Aesthetic plastic surgery 35 (2): 262-267.

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