Should Teens Undergo Cosmetic Surgery?

Should teens undergo cosmetic surgery?

In today's society the picture of beauty is a rail thin super model with the body of a goddess posted on billboards all around the world. Children are brought up playing with Barbie dolls with the body measurements of would be 39, 18, 38. Because of these pictures and other figures of beauties projected all over, today teenagers are convinced to believe that to be beautiful and happy they must look like these images. According to a survey by Bliss Magazine, Four in ten teenage girls have considered plastic surgery and two thirds of the 2,000 girls quizzed, average age 14, said the pressure came from celebrities with perfect bodies and boys. (BBC news)

Society today has brain washed not only today's teenage girls, but also the boys to believe that in order for a person to look beautiful they must look like the images seen on television, in movies and on the cover of magazines. These images portray grotesquely thin women and muscular men with the infamous six-pack abs. The Hollywood figures that are so famous for their looks and bodies also encourage the belief that thin is beautiful. These images are plastered all over billboards, television shows, commercials and magazine advertisements. With all these visions of beauty seen everywhere in teens’ every day life, they feel compelled to look just like those images. To most, the easiest way to achieve this is by having cosmetic surgery performed. This, however, can be a dangerous choice. But no matter how good the technological advancements are, there is always the risk of not only the surgery resulting in unwanted outcomes but in some cases, death.

There are risks or complications associated with any surgical procedure including bleeding, infection, ugly scarring and anesthesia-related risks. According to Todd M. Wider, M.D., a plastic surgeon at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, “Each plastic surgery procedure carries its own risk”. (Wider) Therefore, I personally think that teens should not undergo cosmetic surgery because of medical complications, high cost and no guarantees of satisfaction.

Even though cosmetic plastic surgery offers a world of possibilities for teenagers to be thin and attractive, it is not without risks. “There are risks or complications associated with any surgical procedure including bleeding, infection, ugly scarring and anesthesia-related risks.” (Wider) Therefore, teenagers who are looking into having a surgical procedure performed should take these risks into account.

One of the most popular procedures among teens is breast augmentation either because they want to attract men or just to look better. This procedure, however, is not without risks. Complications that could occur are delaying wound with diabetes, history of radiation, autoimmune disease, smokers, capsular contracture, bleeding, infection, and irregularity of skin. After having surgery there is swelling, and there may be some asymmetry. The first week a patient cannot lift anything or exercise. Moreover, According to Wider, recent studies have suggested that implants may interfere with mammography, possibly hindering early detection of breast cancer.

Another common procedure among adolescents is liposuction. This procedure also has some potential risks according to Todd M. Wider, MD. “Although most patients