Cosmetic Surgery Shaming

Blake Lively after Plastic Surgery

In a recent article in the Huffington Post, Antonia Mariconda wrote,"I'm tired of seeing 'cosmetic surgery shaming' on a daily basis in the media, why can't people get over the fact that there is nothing newsworthy in a celebrity that has had a nip or tuck or tweak?" She continues, "We aren't strangers to the number of negative characteristics that are attributed with both women and men who dare to go under the knife. Although, cosmetic surgery is now more accepted than ever before, a large number of people are still willing to name-call people who have done it."

I had some thoughts on this story that I would like to share in this post. The creed of the plastic surgeon described by Sir Harold Gillies and then Ralph Millard is to restore what has been changed by life, trauma, or war using aesthetic principles, and to bring back normalcy and to make the unit whole again.

This is what we all of strive for as plastic surgeons. Looking and feeling whole can be also called looking and feeling good. There is no shame in this... and if a procedure allows this to happen then that is also good.

The art of plastic surgery is intertwined with the science. Unless you understand what the patient wants you cannot deliver what they need. That's the art. But you also have to know what is wrong in order to improve or fix it. That's the science part.

Jillian Michaels before and after Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is the perfect example of a procedure that can improve and enhance self confidence. This is something that was created by nature and is being altered and improved by surgery. Breast augmentation after multiple pregnancies is repairing what has happened with aging and making this individual whole again. There is no shame in this. And if the surgery is done primarily for smaller breasts, this again is like rhinoplasty, improving image and self confidence. And if you are happy with what you have then that is great as well.

Diane Kruger after Breast Augmentation

I do not condone extreme surgery regardless of the reasoning. Our goal is not to create the abnormal or the extremely grotesque. This is completely in line with normal behavior and has nothing to do with body dysmorphic disorder of behavior. Unfortunately, these individuals have an incorrect perception of what is wrong and, yes, surgery is not the answer for them.