Plastic People

We all may differ in our perception of God or the process of creation of life, but have to accept and agree on the one common trait we all share - our uniqueness. Each of us has an exclusive configuration of personality tendencies: physical, mental and emotional, which set us apart.

However, only a handful of people (if any) are truly satisfied with what they have and with what they are. Have you ever looked into the mirror and wondered "My nose is too big for my face" or "My breasts should be fuller". Apparently there are people (with fat bank accounts) who make this bizarre wish, and Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons who happily oblige.

Appallingly nearly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2006, up seven percent from 2005, with $11.5 billion spent on these cosmetic procedures alone*. That's the GDP of Rwanda, in Central Africa!! Did you also know that Breast Augmentation is the top Surgical Cosmetic Procedure with 329,000 procedures in 2006. And you were wondering why Pamela Anderson had more fans than Mother Teresa!

So, why are these people ready to undergo surgery and its painful post-ops to enhance their appearance? Do they feel pressurised by society or obligated to do so, just to fit in? Is the media-obsessed generation giving undue importance to what's on the outside, rather than on character or personality? No doubt its easier to get a 'tummy tuck' rather than get a dose of 'intelligence'.

What about the surgeons? Are they joining the beautification rampage just to cash in on the flow of opportunity? I wonder if society would also benefit if these surgeons decided to turn their attention to patients who really need their expertise (as opposed to those who want it). Maybe the millions of dollars could be put to better uses like promoting education or getting rid of poverty in developing countries.

I guess eventually its a demand-and-supply situation here and may even get into a vicious loop, when Hollywood personalities flaunt their perfect selves down silicone valley, affluent citizens ape them to gain exterior perfection and Plastic Surgeons flourish under this umbrella. Meanwhile some patient somewhere slowly slips into a coma due to lack of skilled medical aid.

Luckily for us, society slowly adapts to these new, albeit absurd, indulgences. Take braces for instance, people visit orthodontists for straightening their teeth, not because they can eat better, just so that they look better. I've had braces, my sister has had them and so has my neighbour. Maybe the same will hold true for plastic surgery... maybe not.


* According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)