Aesthetic Surgery Procedure Effect on Mental Health

Name
Professor
Course Code
Date
Plastic Surgery: A Key to Happiness?
Plastic surgery has been around for millennia. The complexity of procedures, tools, and materials used has changed, and the scope of procedures increased. It remains one of the most lucrative industries today, and it is increasingly becoming popular. $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. in 2020 CITATION Tay21 \l 1033 (Taylor). First, it is important to note that there are two main types of plastic surgery: reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Reconstructive surgery is performed on an individual to restore normal appearance or functioning of the body or part of the body after an accident or dilapidating disease. This is primarily done to improve the patient's quality of life. On the other hand, aesthetic surgery primarily improves the body's appearance. Aesthetic plastic surgery is elective, and while it is not covered by insurance and is very costly in many cases, it has grown in popularity in the last few decades. As its popularity grows, it is important to ask ourselves if it has a corresponding effect on the mental health of those who seek it. This essay will focus on aesthetic surgery and evaluate whether the procedures lead to or alleviate mental stressors.
The primary goal of aesthetic surgery is beauty, and becoming more beautiful does not always translate to good health. Most people who do plastic surgery do not have underlying issues that compel them to do plastic surgery. In most cases, individuals who go for aesthetic surgery have a primary goal of appearing more beautiful. They are usually uncomfortable with some part of their body appearance and hope that if they can reflect the definition of beauty according to society. They believe that if they are more beautiful, they would be more comfortable and hence mentally healthier. Not being comfortable with your body or a part of it can lead to mental health issues, especially if the society or people around the individual judge each other for appearance. Therefore, an individual can go for aesthetic surgery to reflect the judgmental attitudes of his/her environment, and this does not always translate to good mental health. However, though in some instances improvement in personal appearance can boost self-esteem, confidence in an individual's life, aesthetic plastic surgery does not always guarantee better mental health. The environment may continue to be judgmental and even call out the individual out for plastic surgery, further worsening the situation.
Plastic surgery is very expensive. Many insurance companies do not cover plastic surgery or complications that may arise thereof. Medicare and other government-sponsored insurance doot cover cosmetic surgery CITATION Med21 \l 1033 (Medicare). Simple procedures such as breast implants may go up very quickly. For example, a breast implant procedure can go as high as $40,000 for high-end services. Other procedures such as facelifts are more expensive. Covering these costs out of pocket for low-income earners may lead to financial problems that may kickstart mental health issues. Additionally, there is always the risk of complications arising from the procedures. Many insurance firms do not cover these costs, and the planned procedure may cost more money than earlier planned. Covering these costs out of pocket may lead to financial problems in the long term and cause mental health problems rather than preventing them. Going for cheaper services also carries the inherent risk of poorer services with higher complications and poor work quality. Therefore, the individual may get 'uglier' after the plastic surgery, which would cost him/her more to find better quality plastic surgeons to do reconstructive surgery. Additionally, some of the compounds that are used for plastic surgery have adverse effects on the body. They may be carcinogenic and lead to cancer, which eventually would lead to disastrous health outcomes and cause more mental distress.
Plastic surgery compounds may trigger other health problems. Each plastic surgery procedure carries an inherent risk of side effects and complications. In most cases and especially for cheaper service providers, they do not do adequate tests and or advise the individual seeking their services for the best option for them. Rather they go ahead with the procedures without considering the potential side effects. They are also more likely to use lower quality products and hurry over the procedures to make money. The cumulative effect of these factors heightens the risk of many side effects. The side effects include bleeding, allergic reaction, inflammation, tumor growth, uneven growth of tissue, stiffening of the tissue, and infection. Breast implants can cause cancer (Mennie). These factors can cause more distress than if plastic surgery was avoided. Additionally, since plastic surgery involves introducing other artificial compounds in the bod...