Plastic Surgery and Its Effects on Society

Introduction:

Plastic surgery has gained popularity over the past few years because of the advancement in technology and its ability to change people's physical appearance. However, the surgery has different effects on various sections of society. It influences people to undergo some rare transformations that impact their lives psychologically. Hence, the surge in the number of people undergoing plastic surgeries is definitely a matter of concern. In addition, psychologists are concerned about the long-term psychological effects of plastic surgery on society. Liposuction and botox are the two most commonly performed surgical procedures.

Why Do People Want to Undergo Plastic Surgery?

There are several reasons why people tend to undergo plastic surgery. However, the following reasons compel one to undergo plastic surgery:

• Aging is a natural phenomenon that leaves numerous fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging breasts and eyelids. In addition, excess sun exposure can sometimes make one look old. Hence, plastic surgery allows them to get tight skin and reduce those fine lines and wrinkles.

• People with retained injuries due to assaults, accidents, or other incidents can have disfigurements of different types. In such cases, plastic surgery provides a provision to undergo repair or reconstruction of disfigured body parts to restore their functionality.

• People with excess fat deposition in certain body areas and finding it difficult to lose weight despite diet and exercise can undergo liposuction to get rid of the excess weight.

• People who are planning to have a job interview or make a social appearance often find plastic surgery an effective method to improve their looks. This is because they believe that the first impression is the last one.

• People who lose weight often discover that their skin droops or sags, along with the presence of stretch marks. This is a natural phenomenon and is commonly known as skin laxity. Hence, the only way for such people to improve their appearance is to undergo body sculpting surgery.

• Pregnancy is a phase during which women undergo a lot of changes in their bodies, including sagging breasts and facial lines. Hence, such females can undergo breast reduction surgeries to rejuvenate their looks.

• People with a deviated nasal septum often find breathing difficult because of the narrowed airways. Rhinoplasty, a form of plastic surgery, is a surgical procedure wherein the doctor reshapes the patient's nose to improve breathing.

• Some teenagers and adults wish to undergo plastic surgery because they have been body shamed by their peers or other family members. They feel that plastic surgery can help improve their self-esteem.

• Plastic surgery is a ray of hope for those who do not feel good about themselves. It gives them confidence and new hope for life.

What Are the Effects of Plastic Surgery on Society?

Every individual has some complaints about their physical appearance. Some want chiseled jaws, whereas others want a nose that fits their face. Plastic surgery is a one-stop solution that helps people overcome their insecurities. People younger than 12 to 13 years of age also wish to undergo these surgeries. However, most procedures are harmful or unnecessary at such a tender age. Hence, it is of no use for people below 13 years of age to undergo such procedures.

Plastic surgery not only improves the appearance but also corrects the defects or flaws that people try to conceal through several other ways. Some individuals are not candid about their plastic surgery procedures and fail to admit that they have undergone surgery. In addition, some eminent people and celebrities tend to influence and promote the results of plastic surgeries. They boast about the surgery results, which makes them want to change their looks. Studies report that the most popular procedure among teenagers is rhinoplasty or nose job.

However, one must know that plastic surgery procedures are risky and have a prolonged recovery period and anesthesia reactions. Therefore, people usually need to put their daily activities on hold until the recovery is complete. Hence, society needs to understand the flaws, appreciate the external beauty, and refrain from undergoing unnecessary procedures.

What Complications Can Society Face Due to Plastic Surgery?

Studies report that people spend considerable money on plastic or cosmetic surgeries. Surgical procedures like breast augmentation or eyelid surgery can change how a person looks, so they are becoming increasingly common. However, plastic surgery can cause the following complications:

• People undergoing plastic surgery can present with hypotension or a significant drop in blood pressure because of excess blood loss. In addition, it can cause life-threatening outcomes.

• The formation of a pocket of blood, known as a hematoma, is one of the complications of facelift and breast augmentation procedures. Though it is encountered in only one percent of the population, it can increase the chances of additional surgeries. Sometimes, doctors need to administer additional anesthetic solutions to drain the blood.

• People who are undergoing tummy tuck surgery often present with seroma, which is a condition wherein serum or sterile fluids accumulate beneath the skin surface resulting in pain and swelling. It affects nearly 15 to 20 percent of patients and needs to be drained with a needle. However, if the seroma is left untreated, it can recur.

• Plastic surgery is always performed with utmost care and protection. However, bacteria always find a chance to seep in, causing infections. Studies report that one to two percent of people who undergo breast augmentation procedures tend to suffer from post-surgical infections. Skin infections, including cellulitis, are the most common complications of plastic surgery.

• Breast augmentation surgeries often cause nerve damage resulting in numbness and tingling sensation in various body parts. Though the nerve damage is temporary, the signs can be permanent.

• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the commonly encountered complications in 0.09 percent of plastic surgeries. Though it is a rare complication, the formation of blood clots due to deep vein thrombosis can be harmful.

• One of the most common complications of liposuction is organ damage. Visceral perforations can occur when the surgical probe comes in contact with the other internal organs.

• Scarring or scar tissue formation is a common complication of tummy tuck surgery.

Conclusion:

Plastic surgery can have positive and negative effects on society, depending on the person's understanding. Nowadays, people want to look perfect and have an ideal body shape and physique. However, one needs to understand that no individual is perfect. Hence, one needs to understand the risks and benefits of the surgery to avoid complications.