A person’s success and happiness in life greatly depends on his or her physical appearance. As absurd and superficial as that statement sounds, it is the message sent in some of the nation’s highest-rated television programs, such as FOX’s “The Swan,” ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” and MTV’s “I Want a Famous Face.”
The days when plastic surgery was shrouded in secrecy are over. Today, men and women are not only willing to discuss what latest “enhancements” they have had, but thousands are willing to let television networks broadcast their entire plastic surgery “reformations.” “The Swan” even hosts its own fan club and online forum.
The problem is not plastic surgery, but rather the way it is glamorized and portrayed as a solution to psychological problems. Most individuals at some point in time are self-conscious with an aspect of their bodies. Is the solution to that plastic surgery? If an individual has a nearly flawless appearance does that guarantee that he or she has high self-esteem? Changing the appearance of someone alone cannot change someone’s personality. People who cannot accept themselves are not likely to accept who they are anymore if they have a different nose or chin structure.
These television programs give the impression that plastic surgery is the route to self-satisfaction, however most people are never fully satisfied with themselves. When will the line be drawn?
Liposuction may result in considerable weigh loss, but it will not stop an individual from continuing unhealthy eating patterns and neglecting exercise. Implants may attract more attention from others, but alone they will still not turn a self-conscious, shy individual into a social butterfly.
Each person has different strengths and weaknesses. Even though MTV does not pay for the surgeries done on patients on “I Want a Famous Face,” why should it glorify people who cannot embrace their individualism?
Plastic surgery is being portrayed as a trivial option in life. It is important to remember that these are entertainment programs. There is a flip side to the “happily ever after” ending. There are risks involved in every operation and sometimes a rather painful recuperation period.
The controversy of whether or not to have cosmetic surgery may hint at interesting similarities with a seemingly innocent and routinely practiced operation in contemporary times: getting dental braces. Several decades ago, having braces was not nearly as common as it is nowadays. Today, everyone knows people with braces or people who have had braces. Though there are legitimate health concerns associated with some patients’ decision to have braces, many desire them simply to have straighter teeth. It is no issue today for a person with otherwise good dental health to have metallic braces attached to his teeth for months or years and endure the pains of regulatory tightening for the sake of being in accordance with an ideal of dental perfection. Might more intense cosmetic surgeries become as equally acceptable to mainstream culture tomorrow as cosmetic dentistry is today?
Today’s society does place a high value on physical appearance, and sadly, one cannot truthfully say that physical appearance does not play any part in the business world. However, appearance can only get an individual so far; on the other hand, think of the heights to which education, work experience and dedication to the community can take someone.
