Plastic surgery has existed since ancient times, with evidence of cosmetic procedures by the Romans and Egyptians. Over time, plastic surgery evolved from purely aesthetic procedures to those focused on reconstructing or repairing physical defects caused by accidents or illness. In modern times, advances in medical technology and research understanding have given rise to a specialty: Plastic surgery. During the twentieth century, there was increased focus placed on plastic surgeons providing facial reconstructive surgeries for individuals who had experienced horrific facial injuries during World War I. During this period, research began into immuring synthetic materials, including rubber silicone gel implants inside tissues, aiding post-operative wound healing while preventing infections and improving visual outcomes beyond what natural tissue could do alone. These techniques became commonly known as fold recoil flaps, forming new areas around missing sections using spare skin surrounding it and repositioning it. Sentinel patches also helped expand structures such as ears, noses, breasts, and eyes without causing excessive distortion (Mackenzie et al., 2021). A fair number of people in today’s civilization deem seeking out cosmetic surgery to be an unreasonable choice and judge those who decide to push through with it as vain or fragile.
In contrast, these opinions generally originate from a need for more knowledge about the multiple possibilities for gain that plastic surgery can provide. It can recover usual ability after an incident, aiding self-worth improvement and fulfilling demands from one’s partner. It is far from only a cosmetic operation to enhance one’s look. Plastic surgery can be an excellent tool for fostering inner and outward beauty when carried out appropriately and with reasonable objectives.
The principal task of plastic surgery is to reconstruct elements of the body that have been damaged due to trauma, illness, or congenital disabilities. Reconstructive plastic surgery works on abnormal body parts induced by inherited deficiencies, developmental issues, injury, contamination, tumours, or sickness (Nerad, 2020). It is often done to enhance function, but it may also be done to get as close as possible to a natural look. Nerad provides a detailed explanation of the intricate procedures applied to reconstruct damaged face features and ocular regions. Nerad (2020) explains that due to the intricate design of facial and ocular skin, extended preparation is needed to adequately perform complicated procedures such as blepharoplasty, a procedure utilized for correcting eyelids, rhinoplasty, used for reconfiguring the nose shape; and mentoplasty, which fixes the chin and jawline. Reconstructive surgery, as Nerad notes, is performed to restore normal motor function and sensory capacities, both of which may have been impaired as a result of an accident or sickness. Trauma and congenital malformations may significantly affect a person’s ability to sip and chew food, see and communicate with others, talk, and breathe. Reconstructive treatments are specific and sensitive surgeries performed to reinstate these essential capabilities. Reconstructive surgery may treat a patient’s appearance in addition to functional restoration to reduce the individual’s exposure to social stigma. As Nerad elucidates, plastic surgeons employ a wide variety of techniques, including tissue transfer, grafting, and suturing, to reconstruct sections of the body that have been damaged due to an accident or an aberrant development. Because of this knowledge, plastic surgery is a handy field for the rehabilitation of individuals who are afflicted with impairments and deformities. It gives these individuals a chance to restore their capabilities and a normal appearance.
Jordal et al. (2019) conducted a qualitative research study that focused on Swedish women who had undergone Female Genital Cutting in the past and chose to have Clitoral Reconstructive Surgery afterwards. The results of their work revealed how the participants felt it would repair them, making them feel “complete,” “regular,” “appealing,” “lovely” and “‘certain.'” These ladies sought to enhance their self-perception and get rid of the outward signs of the prior pain that had been inflicted on their genitalia. One of the participants made a profound statement when she said, “I want what every other woman has… I want to feel attractive.” According to Jordal et al. (2019), “I do not want to be different.” Plastic surgery may be a highly therapeutic psychological act for persons who struggle with difficulties related to their body image or who have had events in the past that have damaged their self-confidence, as this research demonstrates. Although some people may think that people who get cosmetic surgery are vain, for many others, the procedure is the conclusion of years of emotional suffering and feelings of inadequacy. People are now able to see themselves as attractive because of cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentations, face contouring, and labial reductions. These procedures also help restore a feeling of completeness. According to the findings of Jordal and colleagues’ study, cosmetic surgery may bring significant psychological and emotional advantages if the patient approaches the process with the appropriate mindset.
In addition, some people choose to get cosmetic surgery so that they can conform to societal expectations of what constitutes beauty and attractiveness. The dominant cultural ideas of attractiveness often emphasize youth, face symmetry, and physique types communicated via the media. As a consequence of this, a significant number of people seek out cosmetic surgery with the expectation of achieving these goals and making themselves more desirable to potential love partners. Physicians Moak et al. (2020) said these social influences led to women undergoing 91% of all cosmetic operations in 2018. These treatments were conducted in 2018. There is significant pressure on today’s women to conform their appearance to the latest beauty trends to maintain a competitive edge in dating and their romantic relationships. According to Moak et al. (2020), addressing the gender imbalance among plastic surgeons might be one way to reduce the severity of this inequality. Botox, implants, and liposuction are just some operations that help consenting individuals satisfy their and their partners’ expectations. It is foolish to seek surgery just because it is expected of you, but these procedures can help. People can regain control over their sexuality and self-image when they undergo procedures of this kind and give it careful consideration beforehand. Therefore, cosmetic surgery offers a viable route for achieving one’s intrinsic aspirations and extrinsic relational demands, boosting one’s confidence.
In conclusion, plastic surgery has advanced so that it is no longer a specialized field reserved for the vain and wealthy. Those individuals who have suffered from disfigurements and disabilities may have their shape and function restored by highly trained plastic surgeons. They can also significantly enhance a patient’s mental health and quality of life by boosting their external look using customized operations to meet each patient’s requirements. Plastic surgery may give a path to normality, self-acceptance, and the satisfaction of intimate needs, but care must be taken to ensure that realistic expectations are maintained. When employed conscientiously, the procedures performed within this medical area provide a superb and morally sound way of enhancing one’s inner and external attractiveness. Those interested in cosmetic surgery should consider their reasons for doing so while maintaining faith in the transforming power of such operations. Patients undergoing cosmetic surgery have the potential to look and feel their best when open dialogue, stringent safety standards, and compassion for all decisions are included in the process.
Jordal, M., Griffin, G., & Sigurjonsson, H. (2019). ‘I want what every other woman has’: reasons for wanting clitoral reconstructive surgery after female genital cutting–a qualitative study from Sweden. Culture, health & sexuality, 21(6), 701-716. Link https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2018.1510980
Mackenzie, E. L., Larson, J. D., & Poore, S. O. (2021). Plastic surgery and speciality creep: an analysis of publication trends. Archives of Plastic Surgery, 48(06), 651–659. Link https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.5999/aps.2021.00745
Moak, T. N., Cress, P. E., Tenenbaum, M., & Casas, L. A. (2020). The leaky pipeline of women in plastic surgery: Embracing diversity to close the gender disparity gap. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40(11), 1241-1248.
Link https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/40/11/1241/5609346
Nerad, J. A. (2020). Techniques in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery E-Book: A Personal Tutorial. Elsevier Health Sciences. Link https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=L5v-