Plastic Surgery Blog

Part of the human condition is to set goals before we know how to solve them, to choose a part of our lives that we perceive to be deficient and lock on until it’s fixed. The path to fulfilling that goal can lead to many different places. Some lead to success and some to failure, but all will inevitably lead to more perceived deficiencies and more goals. They are the gold at the end of the rainbow, our goals, which keep us from hitting snooze in the gray light of a new morning.

Our time here is limited and so, consequently, are the number of goals we are able to set and achieve. Everyday we consume this limited resource, trading it for experiences that pass through our periphery. The longer a goal takes to achieve, the less time we have to embark on the paths of others. Given the fleeting nature of this resource, it is undoubtedly important to choose the right goals.

Beauty (as a goal) is a form of perceived self-improvement, a fascination with our roles in life and how others perceive us. People discount the importance of beauty with cliché sayings such as “beauty is only skin deep”, this social mindset devalues the significance of beauty as an essential step toward achieving other, intangible, goals of self-improvement.

A half century ago, Abraham Maslow published his work (still considered to be the authoritative work on the subject matter) “A Theory of Human Motivation” in which he stated the hierarchy of human needs, beginning with physiological needs (breathing, food, water, sleep) and building through stages leading to self-actualization (contentment, happiness). In order to make his theory more readily accessible, the steps were manifested in the form of a pyramid, each new step building from the prior fulfilled goal, with beauty and self-esteem included as integral to the overall process.

This logic tears apart the social stigma that plastic surgery is solely the bane of those who are trapped in superficiality and vanity. Instead it encourages beauty as a base level of self-improvement leading to more worthy endeavors and goals. In order to keep your eye on the prize of personal fulfillment, you must first come to terms with what your eyes see in the mirror.

Plastic surgery can be an effective solution for those stuck in the physiological stages of personal development and needs. However, as Maslow’s Hierarchy states, it is not a question of “when” people move from stage to stage, rather a question of “if” people move from stage to stage. If you plan to have Plastic Surgery do it for the person you can be, not the person you can look like. Otherwise you will be seeing the possibilities of your life from a skin-deep perspective.

Back to The Home-Page

To read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Bookmark to:
          

Modern Medical Marvel Miraculously Mends Mug

In May of 2005, Isabelle Dinoire suffered extensive injuries to her face as a result of an incident involving sleeping pills and her dog. Her injuries left her unable to talk or even eat in a normal capacity.

The Surgery

On November 27^th of the same year, she underwent the first partial face transplant in medical history.

Now, almost a year later, her progress is nothing short of miraculous. The most recent progress being her ability to smile again, something that undoubtedly she thought wouldn’t be possible from a physical or emotional state ever again.

The Aftermath

Her doctor, Professor Devauchelle, was recently quoted as saying that “Isabelle Dinoire, …can go out without people noticing her scars.” This sort of feel good story, just in time for the holidays, brings up some interesting ethical questions. Where is the line drawn between physical plastic surgery and emotional plastic surgery?

Reality shows such as MTV’s “I Want a Famous Face,” are already beginning to toe that ethical line. In a recent episode, a Drew Barrymore fan was set to undergo various surgeries in order to resemble her idol. Upon hearing of the upcoming show, Barrymore contacted her fan, convincing her not to go through with it.

Plastic Surgery is at it’s best a way to help someone look as good as they feel, and at it’s worst, a way for a person to feel as good as they perceive they will look. Leaning on the crux of plastic surgery to solve personal problems will always fail. It’s like trying to mend a damn by sticking your fingers in the cracks. Eventually, it will all come crashing down right on top of you.

Back to The Home-Page

To read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Technorati Tags: facial transplant, i want a famous face, Isabelle Dinoire

Bookmark to:
          

The same reason why people look to get cosmetic surgery, is the same reason why people villify it in our society. That reason as was so eloquently the focus of the film “ American Beauty ” is “In order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times”.

In our capitalistic dog eat dog society, shark ethic is the guideline of social interaction, eat the wounded.

An indication of this in action is evident in the opinions of the public when confronted with an imperfection (plastic surgery) topic (and try not to choke on the irony of the beautiful women telling everyone they don’t need plastic surgery).

In the end plastic surgery can do wonders to augment a person’s self esteem . Just be sure that the base of your self esteem is grounded in something more integral or personal than physical appearance. Perfect tits and ass are no match for grace and wit, if you don’t believe me just look at the success of Steve Buscemi. Or take this quote from an interview with a prominent Hollywood Plastic Surgeon.

‘‘ ‘(It) gets desperate on a deeply metaphysical level,’ he says. ‘I’ve seen it get very dark. They wake up one day and realize that they are nothing but a shell of skin. They didn’t do anything on the inside. And I don’t care how many yoga classes you go to, they won’t be able to cope. They’re not equipped. And they don’t know why.’ ”

Back to The Home-Page

To read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Bookmark to:
          

Looking to inject “a little life” into those frustrating problem areas? Russian salons claim to have the answer.

While most work revolving around the highly debated “stem-cell” research is regulated and confined to petri dishes and microscopes, some salons in Russia are claiming to have the “miracle cure” available to the paying public right now. The problem is that with a largely ineffective overbearing state and the inability or resources to develop effective private review organizations, these Russian salons are free to claim whatever results they please.

This ambiguity in research and results has lead to some varied beliefs of what these medical marvels are capable. From cures for Parkinson’s to paraplegia the seemingly limitless theoretical uses for stem cells are as varied as the imaginations of the paying public. The most recent of which is a belief that stem cells could hold the key to the ever-elusive fountain of youth. But much like Ponce De Leon, those seeking eternal youth may be destined for a lifetime of searching. Stem cell research is just that, still research.

We still aren’t quite sure what effect stem cells can have on an adult body. In theory, stem cells retain the ability to renew themselves through cellular division and can differentiate into a wide range of specialized cell types. That means stem cells are basically the equivalent of a wildcard or joker in a poker deck. They have the potential to be anything. The problem with something that can be anything is the belief that it can fix everything. However, there is no nor has there ever been a miracle cure.  Each problem has it’s own unique set of issues and are too complex for a single, universal answer.

It has often been said that, “the best cure is the one that works” and that cure now and for the immediate future is Botox. Recent research is projecting an explosion in Botox treatment, stating that only 3% of the potential market is currently receiving treatment. Noticing the potential for growth in the market, many of the statistics and promises provided by the Russian Salon’s are clouded in a haze of self-serving results. All in an attempt to cash in on the growing anti-aging market. Through the haze of medical miracles and cure-alls it’s still best to keep your feet solidly planted on the ground and your head out of the clouds.

Back to The Home-Page

To read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Bookmark to:
          

What once was Hot, now is Not

Beauty is a beast of the most uncatchable nature. What is hot today, is in the 50% off bin tomorrow. Everyone knows this to be true, but why?

Why would something as black and white as ideals of beauty change?

First off, does beauty change? The answer is a resounding YES, and not in as trivial a sense as “orange is the new pink” or anything that mundane. Beauty has been completely reversed since the 16th century. Back then the ideal beauty would adhere to a more rotund figure (think complete career reversal for Kirstie Alley). For proof one needs only to look at the art of the time, which was largely (horrible pun intended) dominated by an Italian painter named Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, better known as Sandro Botticelli. Perhaps the best example of which is The Birth of Venus, depicting Venus (the goddess of sexuality and love) as a plumply proportionate person. Hard for our gym obsessed culture to imagine, but a beer belly was considered more fashionable than a prada bag.

For a modern day example of change in the ideals of beauty, we look to the most personal of fashion statements the Tattoo. In the late 90’s muscle bound men caught “barb wire” fever (oh and Playmate Pamela Anderson, great movie.) Perhaps a more recent example is the “tramp stamp”, a term referring to the popular placement of a tatoo just above a women’s hindside. Both of these once sought after tatoos are being removed in just as big a rush as they appeared.

But the question still stands, why the polar change? I suggest that beauty has a direct correlation to humanity and our generational struggles. In the 16th century alittle more shake to your milkshake was an indication of wealth and health, conveying the fact that you had the means by which to overindulge. Today, the exact opposite is an indication of wealth and health.

Throughout history the most constant ideal of beauty can best be summed up in this memorable quote “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, especially when the discerning eye of personal beauty is your own.

Back to Home

Read other articles by this writer, Click Here

Bookmark to: