Topic > Cosmetic Surgery: Risky and Unnecessary Surgery

Is cosmetic or plastic surgery helpful or harmful to an individual's mind and body? The two main branches of plastic surgery are reconstructive and aesthetic (“plastic surgery dependent”). This is why the terms cosmetic and plastic are used interchangeably in the medical field. Some people may think that all surgeries are the same, although cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries are not identical. The difference is that reconstructive surgery is used to repair damaged body parts (Lee). Cosmetic surgery is used to remove, alter, or rearrange body tissues (Lee). The word plastic does not actually refer to real plastic. “Plastic surgery” comes from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means to shape or mold (Olesen 10). The significant problems with cosmetic surgery, such as self-esteem issues, surgeon errors, risks, and people becoming addicted, make me believe it is unnecessary. There is a 1 in 250,000 chance of dying when you go under the knife, but why risk going? under for cosmetic surgery? (Olesen 50). Plastic surgery is not something recently developed. It existed in India as early as 800 BC (“cosmetic”). As one of the punishments, people had their noses removed. Surgeons would try to repair them to the best of their ability. War also played an important role in plastic surgery. This was considered reconstructive surgery because the soldiers who performed it were usually seriously wounded in battle. Cosmetic surgery became more modern and well-known in the 1960s and 1970s (“Health Questions”). Cosmetic surgery will certainly expand its influence in the future as technology continues to improve. There are many reasons why patients have low self-esteem and believe... middle of paper... y." Advanced World Book. World Book, 2010. Print.Matthews, Sarah. "Addicted to Plastic Surgery: The Facts . May 29, 2009. Web. April 28, 2010. Mimon, Diana. About.com Web. April 28, 2010. Olesen, R. Merrel., and Marie B.V. Olesen Cosmetic Surgery for Dummies, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2005. Print.Pilcher, Georgie. This woman faked cancer to scam money for plastic surgery." EBSCOhost November 18, 2010. Web. April 28, 2010. "Plastic Surgery Addiction." Breast-Plastic-Surgery.Org. January 5, 2008. Web. April 29, 2010 "Plastic Surgery Addicts." Medical News Today. Web. April 29, 2010. "What is Cosmetic Surgery?" What is plastic surgery?" Medical News Today. June 30, 2009. Web. May 5 2010.