Image versus Reality

Image and Reality :The Truth About Plastic Surgeries

Year after year , thousands of people go under the knife to improve their physical appearance through plastic surgery . The word plastic ' comes from the Greek word plastikos which means to mold or shape '1 In an HBO documentary , one of the doctors interviewed in the film explained that the origins of plastic surgery can be traced back to the First World War , when many soldiers suffered gunshot wounds to the face .2 Doctors found ways to help these disfigured veterans to regain what they

could in physical appearance to be able to face the public

Today , plastic surgery is a booming business . The industry is the United States alone , is said to be worth a staggering US 15 billion .3 According to the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS , nearly 11 .5 million cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures were performed in 2005 . It is a great industry in other countries like Britain but more so for Asia 's Thailand and Korea which offer cheaper services than their Western counterparts .4

1 . Why The Plastic In Plastic Surgery (2005 ) [database online] available from HYPERLINK "http /www .cosmeticsurgery .com .pk /pc_plasticsurgery .php http /www .cosmeticsurgery .com .pk /pc_plasticsurgery .php

2 . HBO Plastic Disasters (2007 ) [database online] available from HYPERLINK "http /www .hbo .com /docs /programs /plasticdisasters /synopsis .html http /www .hbo .com /docs /programs /plasticdisasters /synopsis .html

3 . Miranda Devine . They 're so beautiful they could just die (2007 [database online] available from HYPERLINK "http /www .smh .com .au /news /opinion /theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just- die /2007 /02 /02 /60 .html http /www .smh .com .au /news /opinion /theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just-d ie /2007 /02 /02 /60 .html

4 . American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Reports 1 Percent Increase in Surgical Procedures (2005 ) [database online] available from HYPERLINK "http /www .smh .com .au /news /opinion /theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just- die /2007 /02 /02 /60 .html http /www .smh .com .au /news /opinion /theyre-so-beautiful-they-could-just-d ie /2007 /02 /02 /60 .html

The Advantages of Plastic Surgery

Necessity for Reconstruction . As previously mentioned , plastic surgery used to be primarily for reconstructing the destroyed features of soldiers who have lost their former physical appearances to bravery in battle . Doctors began to recognize that these horrible disfigurements which often made the men social outcasts , could be just as devastating as having a serious illness , and developed innovative techniques to reconstruct the face .5 Nowadays , accidents happen not only on the battlefield but in everyday life as well

For example , in 1997 , a Taiwanese entertainer named Ching Wei took a television role that resulted in an accident that covered him with third degree burns . Five years and 60 ,000 worth of surgery later , Ching is an award-winning media personality and owner of his own communications company . Plastic surgery helped him regain his composure and confidence in life through implanted hair , skin repair and retina restoration among others

Health Risks . Aside from reconstruction needed after severe accidental destruction to a

particular part of the body , some people are advised by their doctors...