Beauty is a multifaceted
entity, which can have different meanings in different cultures. The beauty
can be restricted to the appearance of the face but also include different
parts of the body and their shape and size. Generally speaking it would probably
not be wrong to append the harmonic relation and balance of different parts
of the body to the meaning of the word. The ideals of beauty between men and
women differ too and the meaning of the word becomes even more complex if
the symbolic value of size and shape is taken into account.
Beauty cannot be quantified in values or numbers. It is only the aspect of
the eyes and the perception of the observer who can decide whether it is beautiful
or not beautiful.
With the rapid progress of the information technology and its manifold applications
in our daily life the media continuously influences us. We are influenced
by famous personalities having changed their appearance by plastic surgeons.
Not only rejuvenating procedures but also change of anatomic structures. With
the development of finer techniques all this can be done but one should understand
that illustrated pictures in magazines and pre- and post-pictures of cosmetic
surgeries not always correspond with reality. One should also understand,
that plastic surgery involves incisions. These are placed at inconspicuous
sites and so hidden but all surgery causes wounds in the tissues below the
skin. The healing process cannot be influenced materially and the following
biologic healing process can cause unwanted reactions. In other words, all
kinds of cosmetic surgery involve some risks of transient and permanent depravations,
which cannot be influenced neither of the experience nor of the skill of the
surgeon. One should also understand that the longevity of rejuvenating procedures
is time restricted and if one wants to invest money in eternal youth one has
to be prepared for a continuos investment. More permanent results are to be
expected when the anatomic fundament is changed, like implants or when bony
or cartilaginous structures are changed.
One should also know, that cosmetic surgeons in general are specialists within
their speciality and they are certainly collecting the knowledge from the
same sources. Most techniques are known and probably also used in the same
manner all over the world and the results are probably equal independent of
the individual surgeon. The most important consideration a potential candidate
for cosmetic surgery has to think about is that one should trust the surgeon
you choose and bear in mind, that cosmetic surgery is a kind of handy craft
that can have both positive and negative impact on the body. Cosmetic surgery
has its place in society today and most patients have experienced great pleasure
and happiness but also some disappointments and complications. If you are
disappointed with your mirror look, it might influence your mood correspondingly.
I think it is justified to moderate the broadcoloured exposure cosmetic surgery
has in the media and occasionally in the marketing for cosmetic surgery.