subject: Just Because You Can Get Liposuction, Does That Mean You Should? [print this page] Liposuction involves the removal of excess fat from the body. It's a relatively simple surgery that doesn't involve much risk for healthy individuals. Because it isn't done for health reasons, this surgery is considered to be purely cosmetic. It may boost the recipient's confidence to look a little better, but the question arises: Should a person get a surgery just for cosmetic reasons? This article will discuss some of the ethical concerns surrounding the procedure.
To understand the ethical concerns, one must know a little about liposuction, how it works, and who can get it.
During the surgery, tiny incisions are made and fat is sucked out through a straw-like instrument. The surgery can only be safely done on a small area of the body, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the area. Many people are surprised to learn that only a few pounds can be safely removed at one time, usually ten pounds or fewer.
It may also be surprising to learn that liposuction is only safe for people who are already within a healthy weight range. The fat that is removed in the surgery is usually in a small deposit on one of the common problem areas.
For women, some problem areas are the thighs, butt, or breasts; and for men the belly, love handles, or jowls. Usually the changes to these areas are comparatively small when all is said and done. Clothing fits more loosely and comfortably, and the recipients of liposuction will generally look younger and fitter.
But is looking younger and fitter really necessary? Just because you can have a surgery done, does that mean that you should?
With thousands more people getting liposuction every year, it may seem like a decision you couldn't regret. People often believe that getting cosmetic surgery will somehow magically take all of their problems away. The mentality of having to look better to be happier is common in modern society.
The media is full of images of ideal beauty, and many people obsess over trying to look like the models on television and magazine covers. The problem is that it's not possible for everyone to look the same, and cosmetic surgery can only do so much.
The real question, though, is whether looking ideal really makes people happy. Changing the outward appearance of the body can't change social, family, and political problems. It can't improve relationships or significantly affect behavior.
If people are turning to liposuction to feel happier, chances are that they're going to be disappointed.
