Is plastic surgery a form of self-mutilation?

Question

Some American women see it as a right of passage as they get older to have their faced pulled, peeled, plucked, and carved. These procedures are painful, expensive, and life-threatening. We have television shows depicting how such procedures can effect positive change in anyone's life (Extreme Makeover, DR 90210). Is this vanity of is it something deeper? Is the increase in plastic surgery a feminist issue?

Answer 1

You could say that it is a feminist issue, since we encourage women to worry about their health more than what they look like. I don't understand why any woman would have these things done to her. They may not be beauty queens, but how important is that to them?

I had a bit of plastic surgery to remove a large birthmark on my thigh. It wasn't for any aesthetic reason; it was changing shape and colour, and skin cancer was a potential result, so I had no choice.

Answer 2

It is vanity for some people. There are others, however who may have had a lifetime of struggle because of their looks, and there is no need to judge their decisions to go through surgery to change if this surgery might better their lives.
I worked for a plastic surgeon who turned many people away telling them that they had no need for the surgery that they were requesting. He would then suggest that they seek psychoanalysis for body dysmorphic disorder if they really felt that their nose, or whatever body part they wanted changed, was really that disturbing since there was nothing wrong with it. He is now retired from practice and volunteering with Doctors Without Borders doing reconstructive surgery.
My suggestion to anyone seeking plastic surgery is to always look for a Board Certified surgeon in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and stay away from Cosmetic Surgeons. Cosmetic Surgeons are going to do whatever you want, a Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon will be more inclined to make you a better you, if at all possible.

Answer 3

Some people can take it that far, but some routine procedures aren't. And I don't believe it is always a sign of being "hideously insecure". I have had three kids, with the last two I put on a lot of weight and I have loose skin on my belly. I would like a tummy tuck, and not just because I think a flat belly will look better(I really don't care if my tummy gets flatter, I just want the loose skin gone). My clothes will fit better, and this loose skin won't pinch, bunch, be painful, or get in my way when I lean over or forward.

Answer 4

I wouldn't say it's SELF mutilation unless you're trying to do the tummy tuck yourself.

Plastic surgery is very personal, but I think that often people don't fully appreciate that it is SURGERY, with chances of infection, pain, recovery times, etc.

In the context you are referring to, (ie. women who elect to have it, rather than someone who is having it to correct major deformations) it is very similar to many women's obsession with diet and size. Some women might decide to have a facial peel, (some procedures can be done during a lunch hour) while some women obsess about themselves and their bodies and get extreme surgery to look thinner.

I don't see it as an inherent "wrong;" it is major surgery, yes; but it's also true that there are people who really DO need that kind of solution to feel better about themselves. Like other things there are those people who take it to the extreme.

Answer 5

I dunno; it really depends on the situation. Like tattoos, or piercings, "enhancements" can become addictive and a possible manifestation of a problem.

I don't think having a procedure done automatically indicates insecurity. I had a friend who had breast augmentation at the age of 23 because her breasts sagged horribly after the birth of her child. She moved on with her life and is very happy. Then there are women who end up suicidal, because they expect that cosmetic surgery will fix relationship problems or improve their personal lives.

It depends on your expectations; whether it's really for you or you're being coerced; whether you're spending money you have to burn and whether you can and do stop without always feeling compelled to go further. Some people become a little OCD with cosmetic surgery. I wouldn't rule out breast augmentation if they started to sag, but that's all I'd consider, and I'm married. He couldn't care less if they sagged, so that would be entirely for myself.

And the number of men having procedures done has increased exponentially in recent years, so I don't think compulsive plastic surgery is necessarily only an issue for women.

Edit: I don't understand why people are yelling at the questioner. I don't think she passed a harsh judgment. She asked a legitimate question...

Answer 6

If you have a really bad doctor performing the surgery it can result in mutilation but I don't think that's what they set out to do. I think it is most definitely vanity which seems to have gotten to the point that if you don't get, there's something wrong with you. This is typical social behavior manipulated by the media and nothing more. Unfortunately, albeit typically, folks who have nothing better to do with themselves or their money, readily buy into the frenzy - making others very rich.

I think they fail to realize that even tho' they may appear 10 years younger - their organs continue to age (and rot). This is a temporary (and expensive) fix in their quest for perjpetual youth. Why? Good question.

Answer 7

You can say what you will about plastic surgery, but it's all a personal decision and there are a zillion different reasons for them to do it. We could put all the overweight people in a catergory and say they just eat too much. But let's not forget some have thyroid problems, slow metabolisms, just had babies, got injured and mobility is limited.....Alot of women, especially, have body dysmorphia, low self esteem, deep inner problems, that lead to procedures that are unnecessary and make them look disfigured. But for me with a healthy ego and a happy life decided at 48, it was time for me to indulge myself and get boobies! You can call it a midlife crisis if you choose. I call it: was always flat..kids grown..just me and hubby home now..have good jobs...still flat..wanted em..got em! I am the same person, just now a person with cleavage!!!!

Answer 8

No; why would you take that view? As for the shows you refer to, those women ALL looked 100 percent better after their surgeries. There is a woman, born rather plain, not ugly, just nondescript and when her father died he left her a lot of money. She had about 150,000.00 worth of plastic surgeries, mostly on her face, and the result was truly astounding. She was absolutely gorgeous and her self esteem shot up through the roof. Her model for the face? Barbie doll. She's sweet, self effacing but fiull of self confidence brought about by her ducking to sdwan transformation and she went on a talk show and all these women attacked her verbally. I couldnt believe it. Her face and body, her money none of their business. She wound up looking like the proverbial rose and they looked just like what they were; a gaggle of nasty jealous miserable witches, only with a "B."
Bottom line? If a woman wants plastic surgery that is up to her and no one else and enhancing your looks or a radical makeover is exactly what some women want and need to make themselves have more self confidence and "self-mutilation" is totally wrong. Whatever the motivation, vanity or self esteem, again, her business, not anyone else's.

Answer 9

I can understand getting plastic surgery for things like deformities, birth marks, scars, and the like. However, many of those TV shows turn the women into cookie-cutter looking freaks. Don't they know that by undergoing these procedures, they are submitting to what their plastic surgeons consider to be attractive? Do they really want to conform to someone else's standard of beauty?

Answer 10

See this article:

http://www.medhunters.com/articles/wereSoVain.html

I think Kinz asks a very valid question. None of you even seem to get it. If we keep getting more and more obsessive about our looks as a society, where will be in 10 years? All you women yelling at the asker just have surgery yourselves and want to defend it, i am sure. no man likes surgery on a woman. surgery is disgusting. get a life. unless you have a serious deformity, you should not be getting surgery. do it if you want, but of course people will judge you.