Plastic Surgery - Is It Just About Vanity?

Plastic surgery has come to carry a lot of stigma these days. People who engage in surgery to change their appearance are often considered 'fake' or shallow, and are criticized for attempting to change the looks nature gave them. Whether it be an attempt to defy ageing or reduce body fat via surgical means, there's a growing reaction against changing one's appearance. The general thread behind this kind of thinking is that plastic surgery is always about vanity - people trying to look better when they don't really need to. Cosmetic surgery in this respect is seen as a sign of excess. But is surgery really always just about looking good?

The truth is, certain plastic surgery procedures are actually practical ways or dealing with serious health conditions. The now infamous 'tummy tuck' is an excellent example of this. Many people get confused between liposuction and tummy tuck surgery - while they sound similar, they are in fact different procedures. Liposuction is a procedure in which fat is surgically removed from the body. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, involves actually changing the way the stomach and digestive system work.

The tummy tuck procedure is essentially a way of controlling appetite in people with chronic over-eating disorders. Often health nuts are critical of people who resort to surgery for this reason, claiming that 'anyone can get in shape with a bit of hard work.' While in many cases this is true, there are instances where it doesn't map to the facts. For example, some people have genuine physical or psychological issues that make it almost impossible for them to lose weight, or even maintain their current weight, through a typical diet and exercise regime.

In other cases, a person may reach such an advanced stage of obesity wherein starting and exercise and diet regime is impractical - there is a certain point where physical fitness is reduced so fully that beginning an exercise routine is almost impossible. In cases like this, patients need surgical procedures to get them into a healthy weight range and reduce risks of problems such as diabetes, so that they can actually begin an exercise routine.

When it comes to other types of plastic surgery, such as face lifts, some of the critics may have more of a valid point. However, there are psychological benefits that come with 'vanity' surgery that often aren't taken into account. Surgery can help boost confidence and fight off the depression that can often come with growing older and a perceived loss of attractiveness. While such 'vanity' surgery can also easily be taken over the top, a few small procedures can help someone feel younger and as a result find a new joy in life.

All in all, it's important to put the role of cosmetic surgery in perspective. The excesses of surgery are largely a product of the society we have chosen to create for ourselves, with its constant demands on a perfect appearance. Still, though, cosmetic surgery has real health benefits in many situations and in others can provide a psychological boost to someone who may be in need of one.

To find out more about cosmetic surgery procedures, visit the website of Dr John Masters, a professional cosmetic surgeon in Wellington, NZ. ( http://www.nzcosmeticsurgery.co.nz )