Bioethics Today
By Julie Fierro
February 17, 2006

When someone mentions cosmetic surgery, the first thoughts that pop into my head are Michael Jackson and Dr. 90210. In addition to shows such as Nip/Tuck, True Life and I Want a Famous Face, cosmetic surgery receives overwhelming attention from the media.

Topics commonly discussed include which celebrities have received plastic surgery or the relative ease of current procedures. And there is usually a buzz about the procedure du jour.

Today, incisions are often so small that it is nearly impossible to tell whether someone has received surgery.

In addition, many procedures do not even require incisions with the advent of laser surgery. However, does the media give an honest portrayal of cosmetic surgery?

Michael Jackson, needless to say, is an example of plastic surgery gone wrong. Yet, on shows such as Dr. 90210, it always seems that patients go under the knife and wake up looking and feeling great. Are such procedures really this painless?

After doing some research on the topic, it becomes evident that this is not the case. Pain can be experienced for up to a week with many procedures, and it can take anywhere from four to six weeks for swelling to subside after some surgeries. All too often, however, this is not accurately conveyed to the general public by the media.

The media infuses the public with a diluted and misconstrued image of cosmetic surgery. It is perceived as an activity for when one is bored or has time to spare. If you have an hour lunch break, go get Botox; or if you have an afternoon free, go get the bags under your eyes removed. Should cosmetic surgery be viewed so lightly?

The number of cosmetic procedures received by women increased 16 percent from 2002 to 2003, to nearly 7.2 million procedures completed. The top five procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, breast reduction and rhinoplasty.

This morphed view of plastic surgery keeps people from realizing the possible risks involved.

At the start of the cosmetic surgery craze that continues today, many see nothing wrong with traveling to Mexico to receive such procedures at cheaper prices.

The downsides are that the doctors performing these surgeries in Mexico may not have the same high-level technology or qualifications as American physicians and as a result, many complications can occur.

Faulty procedures may even require several follow-up surgeries to correct or restore an individual's appearance.

As is, there are many complications that may arise, including skin death, asymmetry, slow healing, or permanent numbness. Irregularities, dimples or seroma (the collection of fluid under the skin) may also develop following breast augmentation, liposuction or a tummy tuck.

In addition, it is common to experience depression after cosmetic surgery due to stress from preparation for the procedure, dealing with others' reactions, or just general guilt from having received the procedure.

Don't get me wrong: Receiving cosmetic surgery has its benefits. It can improve one's self-confidence, which ultimately has very positive effects on one's life.

But the media's warped image of cosmetic surgery often downplays the risks that are associated with cosmetic surgery. It is not as simple as going for surgery one morning and waking up with double-D breasts the next.

There is a lot of risk at the time of the actual procedure as well as days, weeks, months and even years to follow. In some cases, not all of the side-effects of these relatively new procedures are known.

Look beyond the media for information on these matters; you may be surprised with what you find.