Thoughts on Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery has always fascinated me. While I don’t enjoy watching the actual procedures happen (if you’ve ever watched someone’s nose get broken during rhinoplasty, you’d agree with me), I think the stories behind them are so interesting.
I’ve watched my fair share of True Life, Extreme Makeover, and Real Housewives, so I think I have a pretty good grasp of the world of plastic surgery- or at least how it is portrayed on television. I’ve seen celebrities take the Botox a little too far and witnessed a girl I went to college with transform herself one summer with a little nip and tuck.
All of these experiences just made me more interested in the topic, so here are some of my thoughts on plastic surgery.
Why are Some People So Against It?
When I mention about how after my student loans are paid off (which will probably be in 20 years), I would seriously consider getting a nose job, my friends and boyfriend gawk at me with disgust. “You don’t need a nose job, your nose is fine”, “You’d be crazy to do that”, “That’s such a waste of money”. However, I bet every single one of these people who tells me how stupid I am for wanting it would get something about their appearance changed if offered the opportunity. Certain aspects of our appearances can be changed or altered without surgery- such as losing weight with diet and exercise, wearing makeup to accentuate our best features and try to hide our bad ones, and wearing flattering clothing for our body shape. But something like the shape of our nose can’t be changed without something like surgery. Yes, I realize my nose makes me “me”, and if I changed it I would look completely different. From time to time it’s something I contemplate and wonder about.
Plastic Surgery Doesn’t Mean You’re Shallow
I’m proud to say that I’m not a very shallow person- I’m friends with plenty of ugly people (that was supposed to be a joke). But seriously- not every woman who gets breast implants is an attention whore who wants to pose for playboy. Not every man who gets liposuction to reduce their tummy is a vain and lazy person. Plastic surgery is a way to alter your appearance- just like dying your hair, wearing makeup, and even dressing a certain way. Yes, surgery is a more permanent way of doing this, but the concept remains the same.
If it Makes You Happy, It Can’t Be That Bad
If getting plastic surgery makes you feel better about yourself (and we all can agree that looking your best on the outside makes you feel better on the inside), then who is anyone to tell you otherwise? People who love you should support whatever makes you happy. I understand if your family or friends may worry about the complications and risks involved with the surgery, but that is another story. If someone is unsupportive and rude towards you about it, then they may just be insecure or jealous. At the end of the day, it’s your body and yours only.
Why Do People Try to Hide Their Plastic Surgery?
Do they honestly think not posting photos of yourself for the month when you are recovering and avoiding all social situations is going to NOT look sketchy? And what about when you come back a month later with lips twice the size of your old ones? Do you think that we aren’t going to notice? If you’re going to get surgery, at least own up to it and don’t try to pull it off as “Oh its natural, its just weight gain or loss” like the celebrities do. Come on J Wow.
What are your thoughts on plastic surgery? Do you think the celebrity obsession with it is getting out of hand? Would you ever get it yourself?
Wow, thank you for this post! I got breast implants when I was 21 because I had very low self esteem and I didn’t fit into any clothes. They were actually a 21st birthday/college graduation gift from my parents because they knew that me going into the business world without confidence would be disastrous. My boobs aren’t porn star huge, but now I feel proportional and confident. Some days I wish they were smaller, and some days I wish they were bigger. But I am happy I got them and I would do it again given the same situation. I agree, as long as you don’t go overboard, you can afford it, and it makes you feel better about yourself, then go for it!
Thanks for sharing your story, AJ. I totally agree- if it’s something you can afford and something that will benefit your happiness and health in the long-run, then I say go for it!
great post!
Thanks for reading Alessia!
The matter of fact is people in this world are way too judge mental and i think it keeps people from admitting the fact that they did it for themselves not for others. So my reaction to people with surgery is do what makes you feel better about yourself and dont worry what others think. I however am against plastic surgery taking over your life and you as a person….which i feel some get addicted like anything else. Moderation!
I definitely agree Janet- everyone is so judgmental of others before they even listen to the story. I see how people can get addicted to it as well, I can name so many celebrities who should have stopped at one surgery! Thanks for reading.
I think you’re right on point Rachel – plastic surgery gets a seriously bad reputation. When people think of plastic surgery, I think we’re all quick to associate it with the “slut” who got huge boobs or the celebrity who got a little too much work, but we forget about the women who get reconstructive surgery after breast cancer, or the people who get surgery due to some medical condition, or someone who is simply unhappy with a feature and wants to improve it and thus improve their self confidence. I don’t think I would ever get surgery myself, but I certainly respect people who do it for the right reasons and don’t take it too far. Great post!
Stephanie,
I didn’t even mention things like reconstructive surgery in my post- but you bring up a great point! I’m yelling at myself for totally forgetting that aspect of it. I say “to each his own” in terms of plastic surgery. Thanks for reading!
I wouldn’t do it, mainly just because I’m a huge wuss and hate any type of pain. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it though.
I worry about the pain and the recovery, too. Mainly not being able to do anything for a few days/weeks afterword and all the nausea!
While I respect the right that people can do whatever they want with their own bodies, generally I’m not a fan of plastic surgery. Mainly because I think if someone’s self-esteem is SO LOW that they feel the need to chop off body parts or insert foreign objects into their bodies, they need a therapist more so than a surgeon (granted, I have a degree in psychology so I am more prone to therapy than the general public). I’m not saying it makes you shallow to care about your appearance, but I do believe surgery is a DRASTIC decision that shouldn’t be tossed around like a cure-all. American culture shoves surgery at women specifically by providing a very small standard of “beauty” and then judges them for striving to meet that standard, and I think it’s very damaging to our mental health.
And as far as the “Oh well if it makes you happy, then it can’t be that bad” theory- are you serious? If that’s your best defense, then you’re almost wrong- or not actually thinking through your argument. “Oh doing coke makes me happy so it’s fine, even if I blow all my money so I can’t buy groceries and my children starve to death while I’m out partying.” Yes, that’s an extreme view- but if you want people to take your argument seriously, you should really consider coming up with a more logical and adult reasoning. That attitude is probably a big reason why you receive such negative feedback. It does not, in any way, imply that you have considered the gravity and ramifications of such a surgery.
Brittany,
I respect your right to your opinion, and my blog post was exactly that- me expressing my own opinion.
I don’t think everyone who gets plastic surgery has low self esteem. In fact, many people I know who get it are happy with themselves but just want a little boost or want to change one part of themselves that bothers them.
Surgery is 100% a drastic decision and I by no means think it is a cure-all to anything. Some women can try to lose weight for years and have a hard time due to a health concern, so they turn to surgery to help.
The “if it makes you happy” defense is something I like to use instead of being judgmental. If a close friend of mine wanted to get breast implants and it would truly make her happy and enjoy her life, I would support it. I don’t see how something like plastic surgery can be compared to a drug addiction- they are two separate things. This plastic surgery is a personal choice that only affects the person who is getting it. If a mother blows all her money on getting plastic surgery and then can’t feed her kids, well that’s another story entirely (and not what my post was about).
The point of the post was to show that we should all be al little less judgmental of people in general and focus on happiness and self-love. As far as “negative feedback” I’ve received, yours is the first. So the positive feedback overcomes that any day.
Yikes, it sounds like this is a touchy topic for you. You went from “respecting” the right that people can do whatever they want to themselves to lashing out at Rachel for voicing her opinion out on her own blog.
“Mainly because I think if someone’s self-esteem is SO LOW that they
feel the need to chop off body parts or insert foreign objects into
their bodies, they need a therapist more so than a surgeon”
What about people who get tattoos? Over half of young adults my age have one. I have a dove tattoo on my back. It has nothing to do with low self esteem or my looks, it actually means something special to me, but it was painful to go through. Are your ears pierced? If so, you must have low self esteem according to your logic. Maybe you should see a therapist. Do you see how invalid this argument is? Women go through so much pain for their appearance — ripping hair out of the cuticle with hot wax, putting products with chemicals onto their skin such as creams and makeup, using highly toxic chemicals to change hair color, I could go on for ages.
Plastic surgery is not as socially acceptable, but it is quickly becoming more popular and I have a feeling it will soon be another run of the mill way for women to “improve” upon their appearance. Their self esteem is no lower than women who wear makeup or get their ears pierced. We just want to be the best we can be, and if you have the money for surgical procedures then more power to you.
But wait, by saying “more power to you” I’m not also saying that you can get high on coke and starve your children. I’m still not sure why you used that point as a comparison, by the way. They are completely unrelated topics. I’m not even going to go into this because my comment is probably too long as it is.
“if you want people to take your argument seriously, you should really
consider coming up with a more logical and adult reasoning. That
attitude is probably a big reason why you receive such negative
feedback.”
Sorry, I snorted on my drink. Your comment is the first negative feedback I’ve seen on Rachel’s entire blog, not to mention your argument was anything but logical. I’m not sure if you’re joking or just ignorant to how confrontational and immature your comment was.
And finally, I’m sorry Rachel. I just couldn’t avoid the chance to reply. Glad to hear you value the positive feedback over negative, and hope to see more posts like these in the future!
I agree with you Rachel! I think plastic surgery is a personal choice and we have no right to judge other people based on it. I understand people being against it maybe for some religious reason or financial reasons, but to each her/his own I say!
I’d do it!
I’ve contemplated a nose job for ages to fix a bump, and fat grafting under my eyes. (My eyes are so genetically hollow that unless I cover it with makeup, I get asked if I’m sick!) Like anything beauty (or health!) related, it’s all up to the individual. We all have to make our own choices!
On a side note, whenever I mentioned this topic in my old town (Orlando) it met negative response. Yet when I mention what I want to do in my new town (Los Angeles) I hear, “Go for it!” Crazy how different places have different reception!
My beef with plastic surgery is when people go way too far and end up looking like a freak. It’s their choice yes, but my goodness!! Some people just go too far. I also find it annoying when they pretend they didn’t have any at all when it’s blatantly obvious that they did.
Yes- it’s very important not to go overboard or become addicted.
I’m all for it! Everyone has the right to do as they wish with their own body. It’s no ones business. People can get so judgemental and self righteous, frankly they should get over it!
Good thoughts here, and a controversial topic for sure. I have mixed feelings about plastic surgery, to be honest. While there’s nothing I’d permanently change about my appearance now, how do I know I won’t want a lift somewhere when I’m 50? I can’t judge someone for changing the way they look just because I can’t relate to having the same desire.
But I do think anyone considering going under the knife has to take into serious consideration WHY they’re doing it. Is it for you, or for someone else? Because if it’s at ALL about the way you want to be perceived by others, you will be disappointed eventually. For every man who likes your new boobs, there are plenty who prefer itty bitties.
And it’s important to remember that while a physical change might make you temporarily happy, it won’t have truly deep effects on your overall happiness. Your life may be improved in one way, but it’s key to examine your overall quality of life. If you’re unsatisfied for a number of reasons (many of which have nothing to do with your physical appearance), a new look won’t be a cure-all. It’s like buying a new purse when you’re in a funk. Your spirits feel temporarily lifted, but if the issue is still there, the shopping therapy high will fade, and you’re still left to deal with the problem.
Great reply Cassie! I definitely agree that for some people it may be a temporary happiness, but for some it lasts their whole life.
I agree with you, Rachel.
I agree, with you Rachel. I think what we have to keep in mind, is that one cannot use cosmetic surgery in place of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise and diet and lots of sleep are what really keep people young and attractive at core. However, aging inevitable and there is nothing wrong with trying to keep aging at bay. Certainly self-esteem should not be based only on how one looks, but if you have realistic expectation, and a good attitude there is nothing wrong with rhinoplasty, or any other surgery. Thanks for being so honest on a controversial subject!
Thanks for your input Rhys!
This is a great post – I think it is totally up to the person!