cosmetic surgery

Nurses General Nursing

Published

whats your point of view regarding cosmetic surgery in terms of morality and ethics? When do you think it is considered immoral?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
whats your point of view regarding cosmetic surgery in terms of morality and ethics? When do you think it is considered immoral?

How can plastic surgery be "immoral"? Do you mean on the part of the surgeon performing it, or the pt receiving it?

Do you have an ethical question to pose?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

is it immoral to have a hip replacement or heart transplant.whatever anyone do to enhance their quality of life is not to be judged or considered immoral. i personaly will have any kind of cosmetic surgery if i figure it will enhance my appearance afterall, in this society, appearance is everything

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think it's immoral or unethical. It's an individual's choice to better themselves and they shouldn't be judged by society as vain or shallow. I've had cosmetic surgery, it was to better myself. I had a breast reduction. And it was purely for looks. I don't feel bad about my decision. I see plastic surgery as enhancement. And my next surgery is a nose job to fix a deviated septum. To me, those two surgeries were to improve my life. My back feels better and soon I will be able to breathe!

I do wonder about those who are surgery addicts - Oprah had one on her show that was trying to look like Barbie. I have to wonder what her self esteem is like if she's trying to look like someone else entirely.

My philosphy, if it isn't illegal or hurts someone else, to each their own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

Cosmetic surgery is a wonderful thing. I will fight aging until the end and some of the gravitational pull of the earth if necessary. No I'm not vain, I just think it's great to have options if something bugs you that bad. I think I meet atleast one person every other week who has had something done, vanity wise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in DOU.

I assume you are referring to surgeries not done for medical reasons or to improve health...

In some ways, I think it may interfere with the psychological preparation needed for accepting the aging/dying process. I'm also not sure it is healthy for our children to see such value placed on eternal youthfulness.

Still, I don't think it is immoral, per se... maybe just a little short sighted, if that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A friend of mine went to work for a plastic surgeon 1 day a week doing pre op....she thought it would be fun and intersting. PLUS after 6 months of employment you got 1 free procedure. She wanted some lipo:)

However....after seeing 15 year old's getting their 3rd and 4th procedure done....she couldn't take it. She didn't last 2 months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Plastic surgery is like any other tool--amoral. Not immoral--amoral, meaning having no moral significance in and of itself. Just as a hammer or a knife or a paintbrush or a car can be used for good or ill, so can a scalpel or the act of having cosmetic surgery.

While one doctor might perform surgery to eliminate a problem the patient considers disfiguring or to help boost confidence, another might do it mainly for the money. One patient might want rhinoplasty so she can finally stop feeling ugly. Another might see getting implants as her ticket to snaring a rich boyfriend.

Only God knows the heart, but doctors do have an ethical obligation to investigate the psychological state of their patients. The good docs try to make it clear what cosmetic surgery can and cannot accomplish. It won't do miracles or cure a bad personality. But there is still a wide latitude. What one doc will agree to do, another won't touch.

So many young girls think that implants are their most important enhancements. And so many parents buy into this as well. I don't know if I'd call that immoral, but I can certainly call it sad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No.;) I personally do not think it is an immoral thing. Perhaps you are just new to the idea.:idea:

But in some beliefs, they really do not prefer having it because it oulaws their principles:uhoh3:, maybe, and believe that everyone can have the natural way of gaining beauty or looking up to ten years younger.

Maybe you are one of those!

:lol2: Smiling will make you look younger.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

I'd consider it unethical or immoral only in the following situations:

1) Person being coerced to have procedure (by parents, husband, etc) and MD is aware of this but performs regardless. On the same end, when the MD suggests it (I had a coworker go in for a rhinoplasty consult...the MD told her "Forget your nose-what about those bags umder your eyes and your jowls?" WTH?)

2) Being done to avoid justice or other deceptive reason (ie Pt is a fugetive and wanting to disguise his looks to evade police).

3) It is against the Pt's best interest (ie they're unhealthy and not fit for major surgery), MD aware but performs anyway. Or the Pt is 15 and getting a breast augmentation--she's not done developing yet! Or it's the Pt's 4th nose job, but they're not happy yet--see Michael Jackson and his stump. :uhoh3:

4) The MD performing the surgery is not qualified to do so or practices unsafe medicine.

5) MD or other office personel lie about the nature or risks of the procedure (not informing Pts that breast implants are only designed to last about 10yrs, need replacements, risk of blood loss and other adverse effects--yes, you can DIE from lipo. Rare, but needs to be discussed with Pt). INFORMED decision making is vital to any procedure.

6) The Pt finances her tummy tuck whie being unable to afford basics for her family--good nutrition, health care, school supplies, safe housing, etc.

I'm sure there are other scenarios, some real, some far fetched. But this is what I could come up with off the top of my head.

As a side note, I find it sad (but not immoral) when people of certain racial/national backgrounds feel the need to conform-ie asians getting eye lid lifts, black people getting their nostril size reduced or skin lightened, eastern european women getting their lips pumped full of collagen, etc.

I just wish people were happier with their looks. But who am I to talk--I plan on getting a mini-tummy tuck when I'm done birthin' my babies. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How can plastic surgery be "immoral"? Do you mean on the part of the surgeon performing it, or the pt receiving it?

Do you have an ethical question to pose?

on both...when does ethical issue take place in performing and receiving cosmetic surgery?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I am not sure if I fully understand your question -- but I don't think cosmetic surgery (in general) is immoral or moral. I agree with the other poster that stated cosmestic surgery is "amoral". Yes, there are probably certain scenarios that would pose one to question whether it was moral, but generally speaking, it is amoral.

I know many have stated that it is sad that society (especially in the U.S.) gives much more bearing to our physical looks. However, that is something we all must begin to accept. I don't think there is any turning back -- our society has transformed as a whole and physical beauty is probably of the utmost importance to most American's. I don't think that is necessarily bad because in some cases it pushes people to get out and exercise and to take care of themselves. At the same time people have decided on surgery to improve their looks rather than working hard at exercising, eating right, and taking care of themselves. But to each their own.

I will admit that I have succumbed to the pressures of having to look good. I have not had any type of elective cosmetic surgery, but I am very conscious of how I look and take good care of myself to ensure that I don't "fall apart". And I would have to question the truth in those individuals who state that they "don't care" what others think about them, because I think to a certain extent everyone does -- how can't we? We are surrounded by magazines and television programs of "flawless" people.

Thus, I think cosmetic surgery will now and forever play a very important part in many people's lives. It has become integrated within our society and it is a means of making someone feel better about themselves, and making them feel as if they "belong" to the American culture.

Sad? Yes. Immoral? No.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment