Cosmetic Surgery among women: Cause

and Effect
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Page 2
Causes of Cosmetic Surgery (by Hilda)
Page 3
Physical Damage after Cosmetic Surgery (by Bonnie)
Page 4
Psychological Effects of Cosmetic Surgery (by Ashley)
Page 5
Conclusion
Page 6
Works Cited
Page7
Appendix A Women and Health: Power, Technology, Inequality,
and Conflict in a Gendered World
Appendix B Reflecting on Cosmetic Surgery: Body image,
Shame and Narcissism
Appendix C Body Work: Beauty and Self-image in American
Culture
Appendix D Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and
Prevention
Appendix E Nips & tucks: Everything You Must Know Before
Having Cosmetic Surgery
Appendix F Check list

Introduction
To examine the history of cosmetic surgery, Ratcliff stated that
cosmetic surgery was originally used to reconstruct the injuries of
the returning soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.
However, due to the long-time promotions of the media in the
standard of beauty of women and the turning of the effects of aging
to pathological changes by doctors, the usage of cosmetic surgery
has changed (133). Ratcliff reported the statistics in 1998 from the
American Association, which showed 3,892,149 cosmetic surgeries
for women (135).
Nowadays, cosmetic surgery becomes more common, especially for
women. Instead of needing it, women see it as a want. They want to
attain their ideal images by cosmetic surgery. However, the raising
of cosmetic surgery causes both physical and psychological
problems.
This paper will examine the causes and effects of cosmetic surgery.

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Causes of Cosmetic Surgery

by Hilda Kong Tsz Yan
Northrop reported the Davis and Gimlins findings in 1995 and 2002
that the judgment of men is not the main reason for women to have
cosmetic surgery. The opinions of men are just the supportive of the
cosmetic surgery decisions of women (157).
With the increasing number of women having cosmetic surgery after
divorcement, Northrop believed that many women would change
jobs or resume studying to enlarge their competence and
competitiveness. Cosmetic surgery would improve their body image
and increase the opportunities of employment (157). Northrop also
thought that cosmetic surgery had the meaning of getting back
control of the bodies for divorced women. They did not mind the
pain of cosmetic surgery as they thought it was the inevitable part
of process of retrieving ownership of their bodies (158). For common
women having cosmetic surgery, Northrop suggested that due to
the rejection and replacement by other people who had better
looking in daily life, women would have dispirited self image and
feel shame. They therefore want to improve their situations by
cosmetic surgery (159).
I am surprised that cosmetic surgery has a great meaning for
women. It does not only boost the self-esteem of women, but also
has the meaning of getting back their bodies. I have believed that
opinions of men are the main reason for women to have cosmetic
surgery all the while. However, it appears to me that there is
evidence to say that women want to have cosmetic surgery because
of women themselves.

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Physical Damage after Cosmetic Surgery

by Bonnie Hui Nga Ting
Gimlin highlighted cosmetic surgery can cause a serious problem on
health that the body may have rejection on tissue engineering
application. She also described women had breast augmentation
and it is extremely pain. They may feel difficulties and
uncomfortable when they lying or putting up the hand. If it is not
success, the surgeon chisels the chest wall of the patient for
removing the chemical part out. It cannot stay inside the body.
Furthermore, the breast may have scars or deform (77).
In addition, Gimlin stated if woman had cosmetic surgery for whole
body, the woman may get poor in facial expression. Also, if a woman
had liposuction, the patient may get corrugated and uneven
structure of the skin (77). Gimlin also claimed that due to new
benefits or more resources, the body can advance and transform
continuously (78).
However, I disagree with Gimlin that the body can advance and
transform after cosmetic surgery. If we had cosmetic surgery not
because of disability, I think it is not upgrading and this must have
side-effect that we use chemical way to change our body structure.
Moreover, I think women had cosmetic surgery for beauty purpose
and the physical effects are the cost of the beauty. I think the pain is
bigger than the value of beauty for me and beauty cannot be
everlasting. It is not worth a try. I do not want to stake my health for
whole life to get a beautiful appearance for few years only.

~Page 3 ~

Psychology Effects of Cosmetic Surgery

by Ashley Ngan Ka Yan
Not only the physical damage is serious, but also the psychology
effect should be concerned as well. Cash and Linda report that 515% of cosmetic surgery patients are having body dysmorphic
disorder which is a kind of mental illness that their body will be
criticized by themselves extremely such as their skin, hair or even
any body parts. Thus, they may not satisfy the postoperative results
as they will still look for the flaws of their appearance (396).
For women having cosmetic surgery, Cash and Linda highlight that
the occurrence rate of suicide are increasing frequently and having
mental disorder are happening most likely specially the women who
have breast implant, so they need to have psychological and
psychiatric remedies in order to prevent their self-murder ideation or
self- harm conducts (397). Moreover, Cash and Linda suggest that
producing preservative influence for women who may have those
risks for self-destruction because of mental illness and psychosis
(398).
I am surprised that cosmetic surgery can cause the psychology
effect seriously like suicide and self-harm behaviors, so I do agree
with Cash and Linda that providing more support for those women
who may have body dysmorphic disorder in order to deduct the
unfortunate happenings because life is important and it should be
treasured. It also reminds me that we should think twice before
making change to our body as once you did it, you might not be
able to go back.

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Conclusion
Although there are negative effects of cosmetic surgery, it cannot
eliminate the advantages it gives to women. Cosmetic surgery gives
self-esteem and a new body image to women. It makes women
accept themselves again and comfort them when they face others
and do not feel inferior when they saw their face or body. So, why
not look for outstanding doctor to help you fulfilling your goal.
To choose the right doctor, Barry suggested that the first thing is
comparing more than two doctors and taking consultations with
them (17). Second, choosing a doctor according to their experience
and technical abilities and do not trust any advertising, magazines
or television shows because great doctors do not need to get
promoted (18). Third, you must know what you want to change
before having operation and during the consultation time. You have
to ensure that your doctor understands your expectations after
surgery (18-20).

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Works Cited
Barry, Diana. Nips & tucks: Everything You Must Know Before
Having Cosmetic Surgery. Los Angeles: General Publishing
Group, 1996, 17-20. Print.
Cash, Thomas F., and Linda Smolak. Body Image: A Handbook of
Science, Practice, and Prevention. 2nd Ed. New York: The
Guilford Press, 2011, 396-398. Print.
Gimlin, Debra L. Body Work: Beauty and Self-image in American
Culture. University of California Press, 2001, 77-78. Web.
Northrop, Jane Megan. Reflecting on Cosmetic Surgery: Body image,
Shame and Narcissism. Hoboken: Taylor & Francis, 2012, 157159. Web.
Ratcliff, Kathryn Strother. Women and Health: Power, Technology,
Inequality, and Conflict in a Gendered World.1st ed. Boston:
Allyn and Bacon, 2001, 133-135. Print.

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