Cosmetic Surgery

[Randy]

The distinction between cosmetic surgery and other types of surgery such as reconstructive surgery is that cosmetic surgery involves techniques intended for the 'enhancement' of appearance. Cosmetic surgery involves both surgical and medical techniques and it is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Cosmetic procedures have grown in popularity dramatically, in 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States alone. The number of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States has increased over 50 percent since the start of the century. Nearly 12 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2007. In Europe, the second largest market for cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery is a $2.2 billion business. Cosmetic surgery is now very common in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. In Asia, cosmetic surgery has become an accepted practice; currently most widely prevalent and normal in China where it is currently Asia's biggest cosmetic surgery market. Proponents argue that the risks inherent in surgery that is not medically necessary are too great and that women are merely succumbing to the pressures of men. Opponents, in contrast, argue women have a right to choose both how they look and what methods they choose to get to how they look. This debate will examine whether cosmetic surgery should be banned - http://idebate.org/debatabase/debates/health/house-would-ban-cosmetic-surgery

So what do you think about cosmetic surgery? Should it be banned? Limits be set?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I think people should be able to spend their hard earned money on whatever they want, if they want to make a freak out of themselves then so be it.

Some of it is beneficial, like my 80-something year old grandpa (for example) had skin drooping from his eyelids and it was blocking his vision. He had to have cosmetic surgery to have it removed and now he can see fine.

 

[Evil Eye]

I hear the ancient Romans already did that, Nebulous.

I think people should be able to spend their hard earned money on whatever they want, if they want to make a freak out of themselves then so be it.

This, essentially. I think it's an interesting way for people to differentiate themselves. Personally, I don't want any, but it's cool to see what people've thought of now.

 

[DrLeftover]