Botox as a Preventive Measure

Botox is getting increasingly popular, and the women seeking this treatment are getting younger.  The most popular cosmetic procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty; however, non-invasive procedures are on the rise. Botox injections is a non-invasive procedure that fills in lines and wrinkles on the face by paralyzing the surrounding muscle without the use of a scalpel.  Although it is a medical procedure, women have compared it to getting highlights or getting their teeth whitened; it’s not considered a drastic measure.

Now girls as young as 18 years old are getting the procedure done in order to prevent wrinkles, and doctors support this early intervention.  They explain that wrinkles occur due to frequent muscle movement.  Therefore, when the girls paralyze their muscles with Botox when they’re young they won’t as easily get wrinkles when they’re older.  To support this argument, doctors point out that people with facial nerve palsy do not get dynamic wrinkles where their face is paralyzed.

Article: Young and using Botox to stay that way

http://www.antell-md.com/msnbc05.html

Plastic Surgeon in Guatemala

Most of us think of plastic surgery as superficial and unnecessary.  However, the work that some plastic surgeons do for those in poor countries is quite significant and inspirational.  The article titled “Plastic Surgery Benefits Everyone,” http://www.ienhance.com/article/Detail.asp?ArtID=127 shows that plastic surgery can be a worthy cause.

Dr. Daniel J. Ervin donated his time by traveling to Guatemala in order to correct deformities for those who don’t have the means to seek help themselves.  For example, a 12-year-old girl was born with a cleft lip, and Dr. Ervin was able to correct it for her.  For most of the people in Guatemala, having such an opportunity is a dream come true.  In order for them to seek help, they must travel to the city; since it would cost them $2,000 in American money to do so, such a trip is impossible.  $2,000 is equivalent to 4-5 years’ salary to the Guatemalans.  Therefore, you can imagine the gratitude they have toward the surgeons who donate their time and supplies.

 This article shows plastic surgery in a different light.  The surgeries that are performed in Guatemala are truly life-enhancing.

The Booming Industry of Plastic Surgery

Many call the uprise of teenage plastic surgery a “trend”.  However, an article titled Bodies Under Construction suggests that there are deeper issues.  I think Dr. Antell brings up a good point when he mentions the media; “The media has also done a good job of making people aware of the procedures available. Another reason is acceptability. In a way, plastic surgery has come out of the closet.”  Although Dr. Antell brings up an important issue, he does not address it with 100% honesty.  The media has made people aware of the procedures available, but more importantly, I think it has provoked people to feel that they need improvement.  The media is filled with tall, skinny, seemingly flawless people who are supposed to represent society.  The problem is, the majority of people do not look that way and it is not realistic; therefore, people seek this unattainable dream through plastic surgery.  The media does not so much inform readers as it does brainwash them. 

The media (magazines, movies, television), whether we are conscious of it or not, influences the way we think.  The recent increase of plastic surgeries proves that the images that are being flashed before our eyes are having psychological impacts.  In the article, an 18-year-old girl describes a game that she plays with her friends where they say what procedures they would undergo if money weren’t an object.  This game may seem harmless, but we all know this is a common case and I think that says a lot about our society.

You can view this article at http://www.fazeteen.com/fall2003/cosmeticsurgery.htm

Man Talks Wife into Plastic Surgery

An online article disusses how a Chinese man, Zhao Gang, has talked his wife into getting plastic surgery.  As if that isn’t shocking enough, his reason is even more absurd. Gang had lost his first wife in a tragic car accident and was devasted.  He has said that he wishes he had died with her.  His parents had convinced him to re-marry, and he is now asking his current wife to get plastic surgery in order to look like his former wife.  Gang’s wife, Cai says “I feel conflicted.  I don’t want to become another’s shadow, but I also don’t want to lose the family.  Now I only hope the surgery will not make me look ugly.”  Despite her mixed feelings, she has agreed to the surgery.  However, the plastic surgeon they have consulted with has insisted that they pursue counseling.

 I think it’s a good thing they have contacted a surgeon with moral values.  I hope they take her advice, but with the situation being so dysfunctional, I wouldn’t be surprised if they sought a doctor who is a willing to do the surgery.  I think many people turn to plastic surgery in an effort to heal internal wounds; they feel that they will be more complete as a person.  I think it is a surgeon’s responsibility to be wary of patients like these.  The strange thing about this situation is that Gang is persuading someone else to get plastic surgery in order to heal himself.

Plastic Surgery

This category will be dedicated to posts related to plastic, reconstructive, or general surgery.  I have always been fascinated with the medical field, particularly surgery.  My favorite TV channel to watch is Discovery Health, which regularly airs surgeries of all sorts.  Most people are surprised to hear that I can easily sit down in front of the TV with my dinner and watch someone get sliced open.  To some, the topic is gut wrenching, but to me, it’s always intriguing.  The topics that I will discuss on this post will be drawn from online articles and Discovery Health episodes.