Negative Effects of Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has grown six-fold in the last ten years. No longer restricted to the rich and famous, cosmetic surgery is now within the reach of middle-class Americans and, as statistics will show, more and more of them are looking to surgery to improve themselves and their lives. The benefits of cosmetic surgery are both obvious and subtle. Cosmetic surgery changes the physical appearance resulting in a lift of self-esteem that in turn increases the quality of life. Ask anyone who has had a procedure and they will provide you a long list of benefits.

But what about bad plastic surgery? As with every coin, the cosmetic surgery coin has a flip side-a price to be paid for benefits received. The cost of cosmetic surgery can put a huge strain on the family budget, particularly when the cost exceeds the estimate. Estimates for cosmetic surgery are usually just for the procedure itself. If anesthesia is used, the anesthesiologist must be paid. If there are complications the hospital stay may be extended. In addition, there is a cost to post operative care including post-op medications. Sometimes the time off work must be extended to further address the healing process. All of these strain the family's financial resources. With the exception of reconstructive surgery, elective cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance.

Psychologists are finding that often there is a heavy emotional and psychological price to pay for cosmetic surgery. Two thirds of patients who seek cosmetic surgery will return for another surgery. Some of them will sink into the psychological abyss of body dysmorphic disorder - a condition where the patient's body image is so distorted that no amount of surgery can correct it. Yet, they are so obsessed that they seek one surgery after another often jumping from surgeon to surgeon. This is not a condition that can be fixed by surgery - it is condition that requires professionals to help change the patient's view of their body.

Cosmetic surgery has the same risks as any surgery: The risk of infection, the risk of organ failure during surgery, and the risk of an allergic reaction to medications. The American Medical Associations urges patients to use due diligence before having cosmetic surgery-interview the surgeon, get references, be fully aware of physical, psychological, and financial complications. Armed with thorough information, the patient can make a good decision and be prepared for the contingencies.

Bad Plastic Surgery
Protect yourself from bad cosmetic surgery.