Dounia gives us her perspective on cosmetic surgery.
The popularity of cosmetic surgery is constantly increasing with time. In 2018, according to EurekAlert.org, there were over 1.8 million cosmetic surgery operations, and about 15.9 million minimally-invasive operations. Also, cosmetic surgery is no longer restricted to women only, so that allows for an even larger increase in popularity.
Cosmetic surgery is a type of surgery that changes a person’s appearance, as it is performed to alter a person’s appearance or body structure. Sometimes, a patient may want cosmetic surgery if he or she wants to adjust a facial feature. The following are some common examples of cosmetic procedures.
Augmentation or reduction of certain body parts
Liposuction, which is performed to empty the fat from some parts of the body. The most common parts are the abdomen, thighs, arms, and neck
Facial plastic surgery, which can fix drooping eyelids that come with age, for example
Non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels to treat acne scars, general scars, or wrinkles
However, cosmetic surgery is not a risk-free procedure. It carries the same risks associated with any surgery. Risks of wound infection, bleeding and scarring are present, but these risks are rarely life-threatening or long-term. The following are the most prominent health complications associated with cosmetic surgery:
Nerve damage
Infection
Scars appearing as a result of surgery
Anesthesia complications
That being said, cosmetic surgery does provide advantages for people that medically need it, such as people that have sinus problems and need to alter the shape of their noses. Also, men may opt in to cosmetic surgery because it can help with the treatment of their breast cancers. Additionally, some patients may need a boost of self-confidence, and cosmetic surgery can give them more comfort. Despite the health disadvantages of cosmetic surgery, it serves as an advanced and sometimes medically necessary procedure because it can potentially help cure a patient of his or her ills.
*Prompt taken from New York Times list of argumentative topics. This article is merely the opinion of the author and is not intended to sway beliefs in any direction.