Sarcastically referred to as plastic surgery because of its use of silicone implants and perceived superficiality, cosmetic surgery has gained both a good and bad reputation over the years. However it seems as though only the negative aspects of cosmetic surgical procedures such as laser liposuction procedures are highlighted while its benefits remain underrated or flat out ignored altogether.
Unfortunately, because of societal stigmas, stereotypes surrounding people who choose to have cosmetic surgery, and an overall sense of fear, it seems that the people that would benefit the most from cosmetic surgery are often the ones who are pressured out of doing so by family, friends, and peers. When it comes to cosmetic surgery, it seems that both beauty and judgement are in the eyes of the beholder!
But why is this? Well, there are several reasons. Analyzing and understanding societal values and norms is a long, complex process because humans have long, complex thought process and modalities of thinking. So the reasons why cosmetic surgery is viewed in such a negative light cannot be condensed into a single sentence or phrase. However religious influences, personal fears, and the perpetuation of unrealistic beauty ideals all factor into plastic surgery’s negative reputation.
For a long time, continuing even in today’s progressive times, cosmetic surgery was considered unnecessary and vain. The irony of this lies in the constant perpetuation of unattainable beauty ideals in the advertising, marketing, entertainment, and beauty industries. Consumers are routinely bombarded with images of light haired, light eyed, thin women, with delicate facial features and rounded curves. There are even painfully obvious ironies within this being the standard for beauty!
Unfortunately, so much emphasis is placed on the negative aspects of plastic surgery and far less is placed on the good. Yes, there are actual, real, and tangible health and wellness benefits to common cosmetic surgical procedures such as laser liposuction procedures, injectable fillers, and more. So before making a concrete ruling on what cosmetic surgery is, why it’s done, and why someone might seek it out, it’s important to take a look at some of it’s benefits, as well as its risks, in order to make an informed opinion.
First and foremost, it’s important to realize that not all cosmetic surgical procedures are done for cosmetic reasons. Though improved aesthetics is certainly a factor, it’s not the main reason that dictates the need for the surgery. A good example of this is breast reduction surgery, for women (or men) will uncomfortably large natural breasts. Large breasts can lead to a slew of serious health problems including chronic back and neck pain, skeletal damage, muscle strain, and even anxiety, depression, and low self esteem.
All of these can take serious mental and physical tolls on a person, however, it’s nothing that a little cosmetic surgery can’t easily fix. Many health insurance providers have now warmed up to the idea that breast reduction and lift surgery is less about looks than it is about physical well being. It’s common for many health care insurance providers to cover most, if not all of, the cost of breast reduction surgery depending on the plan.
People often have negative views regarding liposuction procedures such as stomach liposuction, liposuction for men, and other forms of cosmetic sculpting and weight loss. Many people falsely assume that people getting laser liposuction procedures are simply lazy and don’t want to lose weight or gain definition the “right” way by dieting and exercise. This is rarely, if ever, the case. Like most forms of liposuction, laser liposuction procedures are more about definition and sculpting than they are about weight loss. Laser liposuction can target areas that are nearly impossible target or sculpt by diet and exercise alone. This is something that weight loss doctors understand all too well, yet the public continues to struggle with.
Sure, there are risks with cosmetic surgery, yet there are no greater than those of other forms of surgery. And in many cases, cosmetic surgery is minimally invasive, which dramatically reduces the chance of infection. Luckily, beliefs about cosmetic procedures are finally changing for the better.