E.+Persuasive+Research+Essay

Holly Murphy January 10, 2011 Young Adult Plastic Surgery Imagine, being just hours away from having a life changing surgery. Feelings of nervousness and excitement start to shock the body’s senses as well as thoughts racing through the mind. What if this doesn’t turn out right? What will my friends think? Will people I know think differently of me? Subsiding all of those thoughts, it’s time for surgery. When one decides to surgically alter their looks they often times think of the instant boost in confidence. Unfortunately not all cases turn out that way. Imagine weeks after having surgery, the painful recovery and uncertainty of satisfaction with the outcome. Many young adults face this problem every year. In 2009, 311,957 breast augmentations were operated on young adults (Conwell). Plastic surgery is a process that no young adult should have to go through because of the painful recovery, emotional distress, and the risk of death in result. Hours later the surgery is complete successfully, and as anticipated. For many, the next few weeks and even months after can be very painful and difficult. Often times young adults, especially teens are not fully developed and do not understand the seriousness of the medical risks they are taking. This is something that Kacey Long had to speak about. Long says, “I wish I hadn’t done it, it disabled me within a year.” Kacey experienced weakness and a constant feeling of being sick shortly after surgery, during her recovery (Davis). For the next few months facing agonizing pain and being physically disabled is how recovery will be. Sometimes patients are unable to walk well or lift their arms because of the pain. Luckily, surgeons prescribe prescription narcotic pain medication to help ease the pain. Patients have to depend on others for help with basic tasks and take time away from daily routines to fully recover. Activities to pass the time away are limited due to the intensity of the surgery. Months later, after fully recovering, looking in the mirror nothing turned out as planned. Cuts and scars become the focal point and the most noticeable new addition to the body. It seems as if they will never fade and sometimes they never do. The confidence that was stored inside is now lost. Assessing the emotional maturity and expectations of the patient is a crucial check point for many young adults. Young adult patients are expected to be satisfied and have realistic expectations (American Society). Teenagers are not fully developed until they reach their twenties. What seems like small chest at 15 might be perfect once the body is done growing. With surgery, it could end up looking worse later (Ali & Lam). Because the feature that was altered did not turn out as hoped for, patients are still left with self image issues. In retrospect the surgery was a waste of money and a painful experience. Not only are patients unsatisfied but if the results don’t look like they are expected to, another surgery to fix it is to be considered. While talking to a surgeon about another surgery to fix the previous altercations, the result of death is brought up in the discussion. The risks to plastic surgery include permanent numbness, blood clots, infections, severed nerves, and lastly death (Ali & Lam). Death while in surgery may cross the minds of some patients but they want perfection enough to push reality aside . One study found that one in 50,000 liposuction **s**urgery patients die (Davis). With the amount of plastic surgeries performed every year that is an alarming rate. Why change something to be perfect if it means risking life? Picking at an imperfection will not make taking the risk seem easier. By going under the knife it is apparent that the patient is willing to risk their life to fix their imperfections. Young adults should find pride in the features they find unflattering. They are trading natural born unique features for customary fake features that are accepted and favored in society. Many people that encourage plastic surgery may argue that the doctor or surgeon clients’ choose will insure a successful procedure. That is not always true and often times can not be promised or guaranteed. Other people that encourage plastic surgery may imply that the pain medication will exclude all the pain. This is not completely true, different medications work for different people and sometimes the medication does not work. Narcotic pain killers also cost a lot of money, not to mention the extended cost of refills. Young adults should spend more time improving the way they see and perceive their bodies instead of looking to permanently alter it. The television and media encourage young adults to look perfect. In reality actors and actresses looked average before they got star treatment. Many young adult plastic surgery patients wish they had not changed their body, they know now that if they invested their time into feeling better about themselves it could save more than money, it could save their life.  Works Cited Ali, Kaitlyn , and Tiffany Lam. "Teens Under the Knife." //SIRS Knowledge Source//. N.p., 8 Sept. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. . Conwell, Vikki. "More Teens Put Best Face, Body Forward." //SIRS Knowledge Source//. N.p., 28 Aug. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. . Davis, Robert. "Teens' Cosmetic Dreams Don't Always Come True." //SIRS Knowledge Source//. N.p., 24 July 2004. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. . "Statistics." //The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery: The Mark of Distinction in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery//. N.p., n.d. 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