Pros and Cons of Plastic Surgery

What Is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is a branch of medicine wherein surgery is done to reconstruct or repair damaged tissues and skin. It is a prevalent misnomer that plastic surgery means artificial. However, the word plastic is derived from the Greek word “plastikos,” which implies molding or folding to give a proper form. Hence, plastic surgery aims to improve the person’s appearance that has changed due to congenital disabilities, burns, accidents, and other serious injuries. Plastic surgery must not be confused with cosmetic surgery, which is done to give the desired look to a person.

What Are the Pros of Plastic Surgery?

Undergoing plastic surgery is a life-changing decision for most patients. The common concern is whether the surgery would provide long-term benefits. Some advantages or pros of plastic surgery are listed below:

• Improvements in Mental Health: Plastic surgery is effective for people with low self-esteem and confidence. Sometimes patients remain depressed due to the deformities in their body parts and feel embarrassed. However, plastic surgery is a new ray of hope for them. For example, people having excess belly fat or other facial deformities find it hard to cope with life. However, after undergoing plastic surgery or a facelift procedure, they develop a new outlook toward life and tend to stay happy. Plastic surgery is also a boon for transgenders, who can undergo gender affirmation or reassignment surgery to reduce their gender dysphoria. It is also beneficial for men suffering from gynecomastia. Plastic surgery helps remove excess tissues, so the patient does not feel ashamed or embarrassed.

• Reduction of Pain: Several plastic surgeries can help reduce pain and limit the need for pain medications to boost the quality of life. For example, women with large breasts tend to have increased back pain, headache, and neck pain. A breast reduction surgery can be done to reduce this pain and numbness. In addition, patients who lose weight and have excess skin can find it painful to have regular body moments. Removal of skin through plastic surgery helps one to get rid of the pain and restores mobility.

• Improvement in Breathing: Rhinoplasty is a type of plastic surgery procedure done to improve the appearance of the nose and breathing. Similarly, a deviated nasal septum occurs when the nasal septum becomes unaligned or deviated. As a result, the patient might have the following complications:

  • Difficulty in breathing.

  • Pain.

  • Recurrent sinus infections.

  • Dryness of nose.

  • Swelling.

Hence, plastic surgery is one of the best ways to fix a deviated nasal septum and the associated breathing difficulties.

• Weight Loss: People with excess belly fat sometimes get frustrated because they fail to lose weight despite trying all the effective measures. Plastic surgery is of great use for such patients because the removal of excess skin and excess fat can make them happy and boost their self-confidence. For example, liposuction can be done to remove fat from the body. As a result, a person gets an improved body shape and stays motivated to maintain the same.

• Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases: The most surprising benefit of plastic surgery is that it reduces the risk of cardiac diseases. For example, excess fat deposition in body tissues is linked to heart disease. However, if this fat is removed surgically, the chances of cardiac diseases are low.

• Improvements in Vision: People with sagging skin on the face and near the eyelids can have vision difficulties. However, surgical procedures like blepharoplasty can be done to reduce the sagging skin present near the eyes. This surgery helps improve eyesight and gives the person a young and bright appearance.

What Are the Cons of Plastic Surgery?

Every coin has two sides, and the same goes for plastic surgery. On the one hand, the surgery can completely change a person’s appearance, but on the other hand, it can present the following complications:

• Wastage of Money: Plastic surgeries are usually considered elective, so they do not come under health insurance schemes. However, sometimes, people get fascinated by the results to the extent that they tend to borrow money from others or take huge loans. As a result, the debt increases resulting in frustration, anger, depression, and other mental health issues.

• Painful Procedures: Plastic surgery can be painful if it involves multiple body parts. Some patients believe that the pain only occurs when general anesthesia is administered. However, pain is one of the long-term complications of plastic surgery.

• Risk of Addiction: The most severe disadvantage of plastic surgery is that individuals tend to get addicted to it and want to undergo it repeatedly until they get the desired results. Patients suffering from body dysmorphic disorder are more vulnerable to undergoing the same because they feel that multiple surgeries can alter their appearance. As a result, their muscles and skin get permanently damaged.

• Results Do Not Meet the Expectations: Another significant disadvantage of plastic surgery is that the outcomes sometimes fail to meet expectations. Before undergoing the procedure, patients might agree to some adjustments because they feel that they would look good. However, the patient might regret those changes after the procedure. Hence, discussing the procedure's outcomes with the doctor and conducting proper research is important.

• Recovery Time: The most unfavorable factor after plastic surgery is that the recovery time can be lengthy. Depending on the procedure, it lasts for two to four weeks or more. This implies that the patient’s life changes after the surgery, and one might find it too difficult to carry out daily activities. As a result, people tend to lose their jobs and might not be able to return to work anytime soon.

• Chances of Mistakes: The most significant disadvantage of plastic surgery that is often overlooked is that there are chances of mistakes after the procedure. Though technology has advanced, the chances of mistakes exist. For example, patients undergoing facelift procedures might have facial paralysis due to permanent facial nerve damage. Hence, this complication must be taken into consideration during the surgery.

Conclusion:

Plastic surgery is a blessing in disguise for the ones looking to have a new outlook on their bodies. However, it can result in several complications, including pain, infections, and permanent facial paralysis. Therefore, the patient must carefully listen to the doctor’s instructions before undergoing the procedure to avoid further complications. Also, the patient must not become addicted to plastic surgeries.