Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is the specialized branch of surgery concerned with repairing deformities, correcting functional deficits, and enhancing appearance. Unlike most surgical specialties, plastic surgery is not confined to one specific anatomical or functional area of the body. Often, plastic surgery is classified as either reconstructive or aesthetic surgery. All plastic surgery procedures seek to restore or improve patients' appearances, however, reconstructive surgery focuses on patients with physical problems or deformities while aesthetic (or cosmetic) surgery often focuses on patients who want to improve their appearance even though they have no serious physical defect.

Drawbacks to aesthetic surgery

Although there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good, there are some troubling ethical issues associated with aesthetic plastic surgery. First and foremost, they are not 100% safe. Almost all surgical procedures are associated with the risk of infections, which can lead to death if not identified early and treated properly. In rare cases, liposuction has resulted in too much fluid loss and the formation of blood clots, which can also lead to death. Despite the lack of concrete scientific evidence, some concern has arisen over the possibility that silicone gel breast implants may cause a variety of diseases, including cancer. As a result, most implants are now filled with a saline solution similar to that naturally produced in the body.

Another important issue to consider is that not all aesthetic surgeries result in an improved appearance. Some surgeries, like facial reconstruction, have occasionally resulted in the patient being maimed and disfigured. Others, like the facelift, only last 3-10 years. Finally, some people may come to rely on these form of surgeries to improve their looks while ignoring the need to maintain the healthy lifestyles that not only promote looks but prolong life.