You hear it on TV, "The Today Show", your local news, everywhere! Plastic Surgery. It seems like that's become the main topic on all the news. But, is it okay, or right, of us, teens to do it?
I came across this question while watching "The Today Show" on Thursday. The topic was, of course, plastic surgery. Anne, (who I think was the reporter) asked the professionals the question, "Is plastic surgery right for teens?" I was puzzled. All the movie stars do it, why can't I? (Of course, I really don't want to have it, I was just wondering.) I couldn't see the answer because my mom told me to turn of the TV and get some exercise. So, I decided to search on the Internet, Google, ask.com, etc., and write an article about it.
Plastic surgery: The field of surgery concerned with reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment of diseases, such as melanoma.
That's according to a medical dictionary.
So, plastic surgery is a good thing if you had a serious injury, but that's not the one we're talking about, is it?
Cosmetic plastic surgery: an autonomous and independent specialty of surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal.
That is the definition of cosmetic plastic surgery according to wikipedia.org.
To narrow it down to understandable words, it basically means, surgery to make people look better.
The real question is: is it alright for teens to use cosmetic plastic surgery?
I looked and looked all over the Internet (exaggeration, but you get what I mean) until I came across this article on kidshealth.org.
Apparently, there's a difference in the way teens think plastic surgery is than adults (amazing isn't?). Teens think that plastic surgery is another way to fit in and look like their friends and people at school, but adults think of plastic surgery as another way to stand out from the crowd.
Hmm . . . it makes you wonder if peer pressure is another reason teens turn to plastic surgery huh?
Different people do different things, so different people want different cosmetic plastic surgery. Just to name a few, otoplasty (a surgery to pin back the ears that stick out) and, dermabrasion (can help smooth or make not as visible acne scars).
The most common surgeries are, nose reshaping, ear surgery, acne and acne scar treatment, and breast reduction.
But, let us get on to the answer to out question, is to right for us, teens to have cosmetic surgery?
Plastic surgery is very unlikely to change your life, but most certified plastic surgeons spend a lot of time interviewing teens who want to have plastic surgery to see if they are a good candidate. One of the reasons they do this is to see if they are emotionally mature enough to handle it, and if they're doing the surgery of the right reasons.
Plastic surgery isn't any different then regular surgery. They still have wound healing and serious risks. The risks conclude: blood clots, brain damage, death, heart attack, nerve damage, stoke, temporary paralysis, unusual heart rhythm, and malignant hyperthermia.
Before you go under the knife, here are some things to consider.
- Almost everybody is self-conscious about they way they look. (for instance, I really hate my right blue eyes) We all wish that we can change something about they way we look. We usually get over this in time (example: hate your nose on Monday, but then like it on Thursday) Do you want (want ever thing you want to change) be changed forever?
- Our bodies change through the teen years. Body parts that may look to you, too big or too small right now, may become "regular" sized through the years. For example, your nose may be big right now, but it might just grow quicker then the rest of the face, so the rest of the face just has to catch up.
- Being in good shape through weight control and exercise is a good way to change your look without having surgery.
- Your emotions. That's right, emotions your crying, sadness, angry, and frustration. Emotions may be the big effect of how you think you look. If you're depressed, really self-critical, or have a inaccurate view of what you really look like. If you think having cosmetic surgery will take away these problems, well you are wrong with a capital W. It won't work. You need to treat these problems first, before having cosmetic surgery.
You still want cosmetic surgery? Talk with your parents about it and if they agree with you, meet with a plastic surgeon. Learn what to expect before, during and after the surgery. Also learn the pain you may feel as you recover and temporary swelling or bruising.
Don't rush to plastic surgery. If you think you want it, learn as much as you can about it, talk it over with your parents and your doctor.
So the answer is . . . drum roll please! Yes and no. I personally, think not, but the facts say, it depends. If your parents think it is okay and your doctor does, then be careful.
Think before you go under the knife.
~Rexyp1
Author's Note: Bibliography:
Larissa Hirsch, MD, Paul H. Izenberg, MD "Plastic Surgery" http://kidshealth.org 2006 On-line.
Internet. June 25, 2009.
Available http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/body_image/plastic_surgery.html
"Plastic surgery" http://en.wikipedia.org 2008. On-line. Internet. June 25, 2009.
Available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_surgery
"Definition of Plastic surgery" http://www.medterms.com 2000. On-line. Internet June 25, 2009.
Available http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13666
"A Guide To Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Risks and Complications" http://www.miamibeach411.com 2002-2009. On-line. Internet. June 25, 2009.
Available http://www.miamibeach411.com/cosmetic/guide_3.html
