Who Needs Plastic Surgery?

Well, nobody, right? Is it just for the rich and self-absorbed? Is it just an exercise in vanity? At our plastic surgery practice we hear these questions often, so let's look at a few interesting facts.

First of all, "What is the function of a face?" For all other types of "necessary" surgery we look at what the functional aspect is and consider the value of the surgery based on the functional issues. For example, if someone were to be born with feet that were malformed to the degree they didn't function as well as they could or that they interfered with function with standing. It clearly is important to try to fix feet and make sure they are present and functioning properly. A foot is critical for everyday life. It gets you to work, it helps you stand in front of others, and it helps athletes to run, and so on. No one would question the value of fixing your foot. However, what does a face do? What is the difference between someone born with a great face and someone born with one not as great or even malformed? While most people don't question surgery for those of use with congenital defects like craniofacial syndromes; on the other hand, if you have a huge hump nose, or ears that stick straight out, or eyes that droop on the side, or any other type of facial issue where the issue doesn't cause major social stigma, there are many loud voices willing to be critical of you for seeking to change something that nature gave you calling it vain. Why do these people even care? It's your nose or whatever. Anyway, they are out there, the critics of plastic surgery who find the occasional bad complication and use it as a soapbox to wail against any attempt to improve on something nature gave you that is less than what we would desire or is frankly malformed but within the range of acceptability for carrying on a normal life.

So, what is the function of a face? Well our face is what we meet the world with and physical attractiveness is the number one source of how we are initially perceived by others. The research on the subject of how attractive children and adults are treated by others compared to those considered less attractive is enormous. The fact is that more attractive people and younger-looking people will always be perceived differently. Not everyone has the IQ of Albert Einstein, the charisma of Benjamin Franklin, or the talent of Whoopi Goldberg. For most of us, appearance plays some role in confidence and opportunity.

If a face has a safely correctable issue then it is to our benefit, in terms of how our face functions in society, to have it modified into a more attractive or younger shape. Research has shown that after cosmetic surgery self-esteem rises dramatically and people often enjoy better interpersonal and business relationships. So let's not be so quick to criticize those that seek to change things which bother them because nature was not as kind. The function of a face is definitely something to consider.

Curious which options could help you feel more confident? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Core to discuss your goals.