Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic Surgery (also called Aesthetic Surgery) is the field of surgery in which operations are aimed to improve appearance, that is, to create beauty.

"Aesthetic surgeons, in the normal practice of their specialty, routinely alter the otherwise acceptable physical form of the patient toward the arbitrary and stylized visages thought desirable either by the patient or by the community in general" (Isenberg JS. The legacy of Narcissus.[comment]. [Comment. Letter] Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 110(7):1815; author reply 1815-6, 2002 Dec. UI: 12447085). Although these procedures do not cure disease, they can have a tremendously beneficial effect for the patient who has them, providing expectations are reasonable and a satisfactory result can be obtained. When self-image is improved, a real benefit is conferred. In the case of people whose livlihood depends on photogenicity, or personal appearance, aesthetic surgery can offer the same kind of advantages as exceptional grooming or eye-catching fashion, and is often viewed as a business expense, whether or not it is deducted as such.

Cosmetic surgery has been offered to prisoners by philanthropists and in some surgical training programs. Removal of gang related tattos, reduction of scars, and repair of nasal deviations and other physical momentoes of trauma can, at least theoretically, help individual rehabilitation.

Cultural & ethnic considerations

Lips

In the Twentifirst Century very full lips are considered to be so attractive that procedures to "fill out" the lips are frequently requested of aesthetic surgeons. However, fifty years ago, what are now considered beautifully full lips were often viewed as excessively thick lips, and "lip thinning operations" to make the mouth smaller and more delicate were performed.

Noses

"correction" of the ethnic nose

Preminger B. msJAMA: The "Jewish nose" and plastic surgery: origins and implications. [Journal Article] JAMA. 286(17):2161, 2001 Nov 7. UI: 11694162

Jaw lines

Whereas a square angle of the jaw is a mark of great beauty in both men and women of all races in the West, in Asia, in women, the opposite is true. A strong jaw, with a square angle, is traditionally viewed as unsightly. "An operation to correct a square angle into a round, smooth angle" is offered by aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons practicing in the East.(reference for quote:Satoh K. Mandibular contouring surgery by angular contouring combined with genioplasty in orientals. [Case Reports. Journal Article] Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 113(1):425-30, 2004 Jan. UI: 14707669) Baek, S. M., Kim, S. S., and Bindiger, A. The prominent mandibular angle: Preoperative management, operative technique, and results in 42 patients. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 83: 272, 1989 Lee DG. Song CW. Kim SG. Lee YC. Cho BO. A simple technique for reduction gonioplasty. [Letter] Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 111(2):951-2, 2003 Feb. UI: 12560737

Botulinum toxin

"What is so different about the injection of cosmetic botulinum toxin from other injections? Simply stated, neurotoxin injections are a surgical procedure—because the results depend entirely on the injector's knowledge of the underlying muscular anatomy and pharmacology as well as the principles of aesthetics." (reference for quote:Carruthers JD. Caveat emptor (buyer beware).[comment]. [Comment. Editorial] Archives of Dermatology. 138(9):1243-4, 2002 Sep. UI: 12224991)