Argumentative Essay- Plastic Surgery

Reflection:
In class we started to write argumentative essays about things that we either encourage or want to change to
make the economy better. Plastic surgery has been bugging me for quite a while so I decided to write about
that. I think that plastic surgery should only be used when necessary. So only when there was an injury,
disease, or illness that changed their appearance. Unnecessary plastic surgery can sometimes just make
someones appearance and health worse. I started my editorial by stating what plastic surgery was made to do.
People sometimes say that plastic surgery should be allowed for everyone, everyone has the right to do what
they want but you know what? In order for our community to stay alive and healthy then plastic surgery
shouldnt be used on unnecessary things because there are a lot of risks to plastic surgery like infection,
nerve damage, smoking, scarring, and many more. With these problems our community wouldnt get any
better.
I ended my piece by adding the important things. I said that God has made us in the best way, we cant do
better than what He has done. Why cant we enjoy how God has made us instead? So I think that
unnecessary plastic surgery should be banned.

Plastic surgeries are used for many different reasons. It can be used to correct defects that are present from
birth or to repair skin and tissue damage caused by disease, illness or injury. Some states are debating
whether to make unnecessary plastic surgery banned so shouldnt Missouri start to think about it? Plastic
surgery can ruin many peoples appearances and can lead to death but can still help people that have been
through an injury or disease.
Scarring is a possible disadvantage of plastic surgery. These scars are thick and red, they usually dont fade
like most surgical scarring. Bruising and swelling for a period of time after the surgery are often difficult to
hide, especially when the work was done on the face. Other disadvantages are sagging in the surgical area.
Some patients find the results of the procedure not what they expected and start to regret it. They start to look
older than they really are and others would be able to tell that they did plastic surgery.
Plastic surgery was made to help peoples appearances look normal after an injury, illness, or disease.
Insurance doesnt pay for unnecessary things like a face lift, making your nose smaller,etc. When someone
does unnecessary plastic surgery they begin to look abnormal which then leads to addiction. Once someone
is addicted they never stop; if something turns out to be differently than they wanted it (like if they wanted to
make their nose smaller) they may redo it until it works. Then once they got that over with they may begin to

think that (for instance)their face doesnt match their nose so they decide to do surgery on the rest of their
face and so on.
death can be caused by plastic surgery. There are many risks to be aware of like infection, nerve damage,
smoking, scarring, and many more. Many celebrities have died from plastic surgery.Though rare, possibility
of death cannot be ruled out during plastic surgery. The surgical process involves usage of chemicals and
equipments that are not suitable for a persons body. Excessive bleeding, heart attack or even a drop in blood
pressure, while the surgery is going on, are some of the things that might lead to death of the patient.
Plastic surgery has effected many people; it has helped the injured but may have depressed the ones that
didnt need it. If you look around you can see many people in this world whose plastic surgery went wrong
thats why its always better to stay the way God has made us, its the best way. Plastic surgery can ruin
many peoples appearances, can help people that need it because of an injury or disease, and can lead to
death.
Plastic Surgery: An Ugly Trend
Society has always valued beauty. In literature, attractiveness often symbolizes an admirable protagonist,
while ugliness indicates the abominable antagonist. As children we are taught, without even realizing it, to
prize beauty. People of every race and culture have gone to extremes in the name of beauty from footbinding in China, to dangerously constricting corsets in Victorian times, to nose jobs in 800 B.C. India.
While plastic surgery has been around since ancient times, it has only recently become accepted by the
masses.
Television programs that promote plastic surgery I Want a Famous Face on MTV, The Swan on Fox,
Extreme Makeover on ABC, Nip/ Tuck on FX, and Dr. 90210 on E expose the public to a business
once kept under wraps. Reality television embraces the topic due to its shock value however, the public is
becoming

more

and

more

accustomed

to

the

idea

of

plastic

surgery.

Not only have these programs created a generation that isnt fazed by images of blood, Botox, or bandages.
Sometime during the process of beautifying average humans, they have implanted something besides
silicone: the belief that cosmetic surgery will improve lives. Now, not only do people accept plastic surgery,
they embrace it as a solution to personal and professional problems. While appearance has always been
important, mainstream acceptance of plastic surgery has created a society that values appearance over ability.

According to Drs. Iva Sorta-Bilajac and Amir Muzur, rhinoplasty developed in ancient India due to the
practice of nose mutilation as a form of public punishment for immoral conduct. Therefore, the connection

between an unattractive nose and an immoral being was deeply rooted in this society. While the nose is not a
vital organ, it is exposed to everyones view and has become a symbol of integrity as well as an important aspect

of

human

beauty.

Only a couple of decades ago it was considered taboo to admit having work done, and it was not unusual
for patients to take extreme measures sneaking into doctors offices through the back door, or using fake
names to hide the fact. As noted in the New York Times article The Doctor Will See You, and Your
Party, Now by Anna Bahney, more patients became interested in procedures after seeing them on TV and
researching them online. Currently, plastic surgery is so commonplace that instead of scheduling secretive
meetings, patients often bring parents, siblings, spouses, or friends to consultations.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 11.5 million cosmetic surgical and
nonsurgical procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2005. On the website The Medical Tourism Guide,
readers are told, Plastic or cosmetic surgery can help to boost confidence and vitality. In the case of
cosmetic surgery, think of this procedure as an overhaul, much like youd add that new roof or coat of paint
to a car. Some of the appeal lies in the way it is promoted, like statements that market surgery as a
confidence-booster.

Our reality television shows are modern fairy tales. They all use a common formula: take an average,
unhappy individual, alter her appearance, and after a surgical transformation she is magically a success.
While the message is the same, there is one difference: these arent fictional characters, theyre real people.
The confidence that comes from a new nose, fake breasts, or liposuction is only temporary physically
(many procedures are not permanent and need to be repeated) as well as emotionally. Often, patients
insecurities about their appearance are symptoms of underlying psychological issues, such as depression, and
may be temporarily alleviated by surgery. But this temporary confidence is nothing in comparison to the
confidence one can obtain by excelling in sports, academics, or a hobby. Marketing cosmetic surgery as a
confidence-booster increases profits, but it also gives people unrealistic expectations. They believe that their
life

will

change

and

are

disappointed

when

it

doesnt.

After undergoing plastic surgery, many people finally feel accepted. By transforming into an ideal beauty,

they earn the approval of others and receive positive attention. Some people even have coming-out parties.
But

while

plastic

surgery

may

appear

to

increase

confidence,

its

often

an

illusion

even to the patients themselves, who might confuse real self-esteem with the joy of feeling as though others
approve of their appearance.
Psychologist David Sarwer believes the acceptance of plastic surgery goes beyond vanity: Weve become increasingly accepting of ways of changing our bodies. Were much more comfortable with our bodies as
malleable. People have always altered their bodies, mainly through diet or exercise, so its no surprise that
many view themselves as changeable. But what causes someone to want to alter his or her body? We all seek
approval from parents, spouses, children, coworkers, and friends. Even if its a subconscious desire,
everyone wants to be deemed acceptable. Plastic surgery can gain the approval of others, but why should you
care about the opinion of people who dont see you for who you are on the inside?

Parents often pressure their children to do well academically, but with plastic surgery becoming so accepted,
some parents are pressuring their children to have cosmetic work. Children as young as six are undergoing
minor procedures, and 13-year-olds are having nose jobs. Doctors and parents who support these surgeries
claim that the child understands. However, its more probable that she realizes her parents want her to
change, and is willing to comply.
Psychologist David Sarwer believes the acceptance of plastic surgery goes beyond vanity: Weve become increasingly accepting of ways of changing our bodies. Were much more comfortable with our bodies as
malleable. People have always altered their bodies, mainly through diet or exercise, so its no surprise that
many view themselves as changeable. But what causes someone to want to alter his or her body? We all seek
approval from parents, spouses, children, coworkers, and friends. Even if its a subconscious desire,
everyone wants to be deemed acceptable. Plastic surgery can gain the approval of others, but why should you
care about the opinion of people who dont see you for who you are on the inside?

Parents often pressure their children to do well academically, but with plastic surgery becoming so accepted,
some parents are pressuring their children to have cosmetic work. Children as young as six are undergoing
minor procedures, and 13-year-olds are having nose jobs. Doctors and parents who support these surgeries
claim that the child understands. However, its more probable that she realizes her parents want her to
change, and is willing to comply.