Does plastic surgery give you the opportunity to shine, or is it simply a way of telling you that without costly procedures, you’re just not good enough? You decide.
Plastic surgery, it seems, is not just about achieving physical perfection. For many, it’s a magical, overnight cure for feelings of undesirability or low self-worth.
From drooping eyelids and sagging breasts to wonky noses and stained teeth, the makeover experts on reality shows like Extreme Makeover and Ten Years Younger have never met a physical imperfection they couldn’t correct. But is there a darker message? Yes, says philosophy professor Cressida Heyes. She believes that what these shows are basically hammering into us is that without a little nip here or tuck there, we’re not attractive enough, young enough or feminine enough to live happy lives.
But what if, like many others, you do decide to take the plunge in the hope that a perkier pair will send your confidence skyrocketing? Could it actually work?
Apparently, yes. Research does actually show that women who undergo surgeries like breast enlargements often experience a huge boost in self-esteem and positive feelings – and even have better sex lives. One study has even shown that cosmetic surgery can improve your mood to such an extent that some patients actually stop needing antidepressants after having plastic surgery.
“Plastic surgery patients are taking a proactive approach in making themselves happier by improving something that has truly bothered them,” says Dr Bruce Freedman of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “We have just begun to uncover the various physical and psychological benefits of plastic surgery, but by helping our patients take control over something they were unhappy about, we help remove a self-imposed barrier and ultimately improve their self-esteem.”
But it’s not all good news. For those with deeper insecurities who view plastic surgery as a cure-all miracle treatment, it could be less than satisfactory. One recent study actually found that women with breast implants have a 73% higher suicide rate than the general population – although of course, having breast implants does not cause suicidal thoughts, rather women who are already insecure or depressed are drawn to cosmetic surgery as a way of making themselves feel better. But clearly, it doesn’t work. Quick fixes don’t face underlying problems, and often patients who expect their whole lives to change after surgery are tempted to invest in endless further surgeries but find they are never satisfied.
Studies also suggest that people often try to replace healthy lifestyle choices – like keeping fit and eating healthily – with procedures such as liposuction and tummy tucks. These don’t offer nearly as many health benefits as losing weight the natural way, plus even plastic surgeons admit that they don’t work in the long term unless you change your lifestyle too.
Think you’d like a go anyway? Find out what the nation’s favourite procedures are, Click Here.
Plastic surgery isn’t the only thing you can become obsessed with – you might be surprised by the new eating disorder on the block. To read more, Click Here.
