Cosmetic Surgery

Separating fact from fiction

The world of plastic surgery

The world of plastic surgery

Cosmetic surgery is no longer the taboo topic it was 10 years ago. In the last several years, it has become embraced and—in some cases—even celebrated.

Parties to share the experience of cosmetic procedures have even begun to rise in popularity. "Coming out" parties—parties in which procedures such as Botox injections are given to guests—have become all the rage for everyone from Hollywood startlets to suburban housewives and many people in between.

Note: Cosmetic Surgery became an uptrend specially with women... all types of women.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 11.7 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2007. Ninety-one percent of those procedures were done on women; the top five procedures being preformed included breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty and breast reduction.

The remaining nine percent of the cosmetic procedures were preformed on men, most of which consisted of liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and hair transplantation according to statistics published by Time Magazine.

Note: This is intresting to note that Men are into Cosmetic Surgery too.

The biggest question surrounding plastic surgery may be, when did society begin to embrace such procedures?

Some believe that the media has played a large role in this new attitude towards surgically enhancing one's looks. Shows such as "Nip Tuck" and "Extreme Makeover" have helped popularize the industry.

"TV shows have increased the public's awareness of cosmetic surgery and like anything else, cosmetic surgery has evolved from being only affordable to the rich and elite to mainstreet USA," said Dr. Bhamoo Sharma, a plastic surgeon at Mercy Hospital and St. Francis. "These [plastic surgery] shows usually only show the great benefits and very little of the downside. There could be a lot of misinformation on the risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery. Our society prizes exterior beauty so I guess we are vain."

Note: Indeed, Media played a vital role on marketing Cosmetic Surgery.

With the popularization of cosmetic procedures, it has become easier than ever to change insecurities one might have about their looks just by having cosmetic surgery. "Media is definitely influencing teens," said Leah Bryant, a human communications professor.

"Instead of subscribing to Cosmo, there are other alternative media outlets that critiques current media to help you realize that the current message being sent out is notthe message that you are okay no matter what you look like."

The concern over increased approval of cosmetic surgery is whether or not it conditions people, and young people in particular, to make extreme choices to fix their appearance. Has plastic surgery become a way out of dealing with an undesirable appearance?

"If you can't meet expectations of society, just get surgery" Janice Styer, an adolescent counselor who specializes in the pressure that society puts on teens, told MSNBC.

Cosmetic surgery is now an accepted graduation present to many children from their parents, a trend that some see as unfortunate.

Note: This is such an eye opener!

"I would like to see adolescent girls become more rebellious. They might think they are rebelling by staying out late or drinking too much," said Kathryn Grant, a psychology professor. "But, true rebellion would be to stand up to society and not let it dictate how they must look, what they must value, and who they must be."

Cosmetic surgery can also be used for positive reasons, such as reducing the breast size of women with back problems, correcting a deviated septum or helping patients cope with breast cancer. But as the popularity of plastic surgery procedures increases, it may also lead to more people making quick decisions about changing their appearance.

Anyone considering plastic surgery should visit the following Web site for important information: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/SN00006.