Plastic Disasters

Plastic Disasters is an HBO original, that follows three different people as they cope with their horrible plastic surgery results. The first woman, Lucille has undergone two face lifts, collagen injections and a nose job. Her surgeon performed these surgeries too close together and now she is dealing with breathing problems, and extremely saggy skin that makes her appear much older than she really is. The second patient is an older woman named Mona. Mona received a punctured bowel from a liposuction procedure, which led to many other injuries and eventually both of her legs had to be amputated. Finally there is Tony who had a nasal reconstructive surgery to make him look younger, and since has permanently damaged his nasal bones and has had additional, (unsuccessful) surgeries to correct the problem.

This source provides excellent insight into the life of a plastic surgery patient. It is quite heartbreaking to see how much these people have suffered; they already felt bad enough about themselves to get procedures done, and now they have to deal with horrible consequences. This documentary also introduces the history of plastic surgery, and how it evolved out of necessity. Surgeons began performing surgeries for people who suffered horrible disfigurements, and then people became more and more dependent on it to fix their minor imperfections. Now it has turned into an obsession, and is becoming more out of control.

Plastic Surgery Statistics of 2006

Teenage Obsession

Teens all over the world are obsessing over plastic surgery. Most teens are even considering cosmetic procedures because their parents are...Bingo! Adolescents are extremely likely to follow in the footsteps of their parents, and when little girls hear mommy talking about her recent collagen injections, or breast augmentation, they take notice. Also according to Faze Teen, "the media has also done a good job of making people aware of the procedures available. Another reason is acceptability. In a way, plastic surgery has come out of the closet." Plastic surgery is more acceptable now than ever before. Don't get me wrong, it is not a bad thing it is not a bad thing to discuss one's body and its functions, but it is quite another to have the desire to completely change it...and for parents to be okay with that. Technically when children turn eighteen, they no longer need parental consent for procedures and such, but I think that parents should still take a very active interest in their children, and continue to look out for their well being even though they are "of age." 

The media is an obvious outlet to promote and advertise cosmetic surgery. Magazines and movie stars have a tendency of making people feel bad about their bodies and become extremely self critical. Television shows such as Nip Tuck openly and blatantly show that people should be critical of their bodies, and almost promote examining one's self in such a negative light. 

Faze Teen shows a multitude of opinions from young people who are outspoken about the subject: 

"People should just stop caring so much about everybody else’s opinion. Yours is the only one that matters." - Carrie, 17

"If you’re doing it because of what other people think, then it’s wrong." - Mike, 15

"You should be able to do whatever you want to your body, and no one should judge you." - Susan, 16

I think that all of these people make very good points and all are correct in a sense. Why do we care so much about what other people think of us? We should love the bodies that we were given and just accept them for what they are and what they can and can't do. However people, more specifically adolescents, tend to think too much about the opinions of their peers, and therefore want to change themselves to "fit in" or go with a trend. That is where the argument of "you should be able to do whatever you want to your body" comes in. However this argument can be applied to so many other issues, which we will not get into at this time. I am honestly torn between these two points: People should be allowed to do whatever they want to their bodies, if I disagreed with that than that would be hypocritical seeing as I have body piercings, and would consider getting a tattoo...is it the same thing? I honestly don't know if plastic surgery should be classified alongside tattoos and piercings. Surgery is taking things a bit too far, most piercings can be removed and allowed to close up, and tattoos can be lasered or temporary. This is a very difficult subject to form a clear opinion on!

Overview

Today I was surfing the Internet and I came across an advertisement for plastic surgery; "$99 gets you started. No one is turned down. Create a new you!" Apparently my body is worth only $99. My name is Ashley and I am creating this blog to address the issue of plastic surgery in American society (it is also for my English class, so I'm killing two birds with one stone). I will address both the positive and negative effects of cosmetic work and discuss the differing views of aesthetic versus reconstructive operations.

*Just for background information, and for those who don't know, reconstructive procedures are performed to correct functional impairments that are caused by accidents such as burns, fractures, cancers, or birth defects. Cosmetic surgery is strictly aesthetic, and is not for any of the above reasons.*

Going to high school in Scottsdale Arizona, I was surrounded by people who were enamored of their looks. I knew people (specifically and stereotypically girls) my freshman year who were getting nose jobs, and talking about receiving breast implants as a Christmas or birthday gift prom their parents. A very close friend of mine got a nose job as a graduation present because she was unhappy with the way it was shaped. Is this enough to justify permanently changing your body?

There are so many factors that influence both younger and older generations to look badly upon their bodies and want to change them. Television shows such as Nip Tuck and Dr. 90210 are constantly making people self-analyze, and very rarely in a good way. What are the leading stories in most magazines about? Weight loss, and how to get a "quick fix" to make yourself look better.

There is always the chance of having a "botched surgery", should men and women risk the only body they have to look more physically attractive? In this blog, I will address these concerns as more as I further analyze the world of plastic surgery!