cosmetic surgery

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

Ok...I will admit I have a "list".

If I ever win the lottery, I'll be happily working my way down the list! No, my list does not include augmentation but it does include a lil help with gravity :)

I think if plastic surgery makes a woman feel better about herself and can afford it, go for it!!!

Angelica

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Im getting ready for some plastic surgery. I need a blepharoplasty very badly. My eyelids are so saggy, I dont have lateral peripheral vision.

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Im getting ready for some plastic surgery. I need a blepharoplasty very badly. My eyelids are so saggy, I dont have lateral peripheral vision.

Sounds like a recipe for sand traps, water hazards, and roughs.

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Sounds like a recipe for sand traps, water hazards, and roughs.

:w00t:Funny Miranda . . . . :bugeyes:

(p.s. Could we be doing someone's homework?) :mortarboard:

steph

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Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
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. ;)

Well, thank you... You saved me the trouble of typing out my response! A woman that I used to work with inherited a bit of money when her Dad died and used it to finance a facelift. Why did I consider that immoral? Possibly because her 17 year old son needs a very expensive dental surgery to correct a condition that doesn't allow him to close his mouth thoroughly. Our health insurance declined to finance the procedure for him because it is dental and our dental insurance will only pay for about half of it, leaving my co-worker with responsibility for approximately $7500. I always thought this woman was shallow, but it just floored me that she financed her own cosmetic surgery over this procedure for her son.

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Well, thank you... You saved me the trouble of typing out my response! A woman that I used to work with inherited a bit of money when her Dad died and used it to finance a facelift. Why did I consider that immoral? Possibly because her 17 year old son needs a very expensive dental surgery to correct a condition that doesn't allow him to close his mouth thoroughly. Our health insurance declined to finance the procedure for him because it is dental and our dental insurance will only pay for about half of it, leaving my co-worker with responsibility for approximately $7500. I always thought this woman was shallow, but it just floored me that she financed her own cosmetic surgery over this procedure for her son.

Wow, that is terrible.

I can't help thinking that if I actually did go have my breasts lifted back up where they were prior to 4 breastfed kids . . . . I'd either die on the table and how embarrassing that would be - "I'm sorry, your mom died getting her boobs done".

Or I look at the money we spent in Vietnam and for the price of a breast lift, I could finance open-heart surgery on a child.

Seems a bit immoral when you think of it that way.

steph

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Do you find cosmetic surgery immoral and unethical? pls justify your answer by giving recommendations on how to improve the feild of cosmetic surgery.

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Do you find cosmetic surgery immoral and unethical? pls justify your answer by giving recommendations on how to improve the feild of cosmetic surgery.

Sounds like a homework question to me.

I think people have given many excellent responses.

I myself see nothing immoral about it - except in cases where women or men are pressured by others.

(Regarding open heart surgery in Vietnam - it costs $2000).

steph

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Cosmetic surgery is wonderful. I had a breast reduction in May and I would do it all over again if I had to. I am now able to keep up with my kids and not worry about if I bend over to pick something up, will I keep going and fall on my head or something. Everyone has an opinion about it and I think there is nothing wrong with it and it will mainly be used to enhance beauty or boost confidence. I know I personally have more confidence now that I am a normal size up top!!

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
Cosmetic surgery is wonderful. I had a breast reduction in May and I would do it all over again if I had to. I am now able to keep up with my kids and not worry about if I bend over to pick something up, will I keep going and fall on my head or something. Everyone has an opinion about it and I think there is nothing wrong with it and it will mainly be used to enhance beauty or boost confidence. I know I personally have more confidence now that I am a normal size up top!!

I couldn't agree with you more. I had it done in 1981. No body knows what it is like to suddenly not to be carrying around an extra six pounds on your chest. Or the relief to my back and shoulders.

Woody:balloons:

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

I'm getting the impression you're a student, have an assignment due, and want us to provide you your paper?

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:w00t:Funny Miranda . . . . :bugeyes:

(p.s. Could we be doing someone's homework?) :mortarboard:

steph

I was just wondering that myself....

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