Get documents about "COSMETIC SURGERY
Document Sample
2010
The Catholic Church Teaching of Morality
COSMETIC SURGERY
Ignasius Tula Wator
LOYOLA SCHOOLF OF THEOLOGY
ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY
PHILIPPINES
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, science development and technological progress have
provided us with new comforts and many other advantages. In the area of
science, biomedical science has given us new possibilities to alter and modify
various life forms. One of them is cosmetic surgery which can improve one’s
appearance and even change totally his/her human form. For instances, a child
who was born with medical problems and those who have body damages can
be improved by cosmetic surgery. However, there are people who just want to
make their noses shapelier, larger breasts, thinner legs, flatter ears, etc.
We are living in a world that beauty and self image have become an
obsession and this kind of procedure panders to that. Cosmetic surgery is the
latest phenomenon in the long history of the objectification of women in
society. In general, the pressures of appearance apply particularly to women.
We can see in the media that many actresses and models undergo major breast
enlargement surgery, facelifts, rhinoplasty, etc with the intention of aesthetic
and beauty. These days, the role of the media gives too much emphasis on
aesthetics which make many people worry about their appearance. The media
consistently implies that unless we are beautiful or handsome, we will never
succeed in life or even find a mate.
The significance of this study is not just simply to inform the readers to
acknowledge the reality of cosmetic surgery in our society today, but also to
help them to see the impacts of this phenomenon and the intention behind it
2
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
which can be judged morally. An online website, American Society of Plastic
Surgeons (ASPS) 1 conducted a study in 2007 in the USA which it shows that
many American people are quite worry about their appearance and believe that
if they have a good appearance they will easily get a better job. The ASPS notes
that almost 12 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2007
which has been increasing 59 % since 2000. The ASPS found that the top five
surgical procedures were breast augmentation (348,000, up 6%), liposuction
(302,000), nose reshaping (285,000, down 7 %), eyelid surgery (241,000, up
3%), and tummy tuck (148,000, up 1%).
This issue becomes debatable because many people are trying to
criticize, or even against it and many other people accept it as something
normal in our society. Some people argue against cosmetic surgery because it
seems more like vanity/self indulgence and wasteful in term of spending
money for other needs. The detractors believe that it’s much nobler to expend
our efforts and spend our money improving our mind and knowledge rather
than our bodies. Proponents on the other hand, point out that we spend time
improving ourselves in many ways. This issue is morally problematic even
though anything someone pursues to make him/herself look or feel better is not
morally wrong. In fact, beautifying and enhancing ourselves is a neutral human
instinct, but when we come to a moral judgment, every action of cosmetic
1
NN, Plastic Surgery Procedures Maintain Steady Growth in 2007,
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Media/Press_Releases/Plastic_Surgery_Procedures_Maintain_Steady
_Growth_in_2007.html, (Accessed on January 21, 2010)
3
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
surgery is being judged according to the reasons and motivations we are taking.
It can be beneficial for one self but also it can be an act of vanity or self-
indulgence.
A. NOTION OF COSMETIC SURGERY
According to Ducan, one of the editors of Dictionary of Medical Ethics,
cosmetic surgery is more related to the art of adorning or beautifying the body
or improving appearances2. In medicine and healthcare world view cosmetic
surgery is a specialized area of medicine that deals with the enhancement of the
human form. It concerns with the repair, restoration, or improvement of lost,
injured, defective, or misshapen body parts. In other term some people call it as
plastic surgery which use of the word “plastic” is considered to be synonymous
with “fake” or “superficial.”
The ASPS describes that there was already medical treatment for facial
injuries more than 4,000 years ago (about 800 B.C.E) by physicians in India
who were utilizing skin grafts for reconstructive work. Then, the wars during
the late 19th and early 20th century drove the development of cosmetic surgery
in order to repair facial defects of the soldiers caused by war3. In few years after
progress in medicine of cosmetic surgery moved quickly and has been affecting
2
Archibald Sutherland Duncan, Gordon Reginald Dunstan, and Richard Burkewood Welbourn,
Dictionary of Medical Ethics (London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1981), 121
3
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “The History of Plastic Surgery, ASPS and PSEF,”
2010, http://www.plasticsurgery.org/About_ASPS/History_of_Plastic_Surgery.html, (Acceseed on
January 12, 2010)
4
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
the aesthetic procedure until now. Consequently, plastic surgeons began to
realize that cosmetic surgery procedures could also be used to enhance beauty.
Benedict M. Ashley notices that cosmetic surgery has two major
components, reconstructive and cosmetic. First, reconstructive surgery involves
restoring damaged or altered parts of the body (via genetics, trauma, disease,
etc) that are usually not the result of normal aging. This includes things like
cleft lip and palate repair, removal of excess skin after massive weight loss,
pinning back of prominent ears, skin grafts, facial fractures and lacerations, scar
revisions, coverage of massive tissue, etc. On the other hand, he defines
cosmetic surgery as purely changing aspects of the body to alter the course of
aging or to make a body part that is “normal” look better. The purpose of
cosmetic surgery is simply the enhancement of sexual attractiveness or the
concealment of normal aging, such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast
enhancement, liposuction, eyes and eyelids, chin surgery or mentoplasty, ear
surgery or otoplasty, dental surgery, tummy tuck, etc4.
B. MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUE IN COSMETIC SURGERY
THE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY AND NORMAL IN COSMETIC SURGERY
There are some reasons why people undergo cosmetic surgery. First of
all, one of the most important reasons is feeling uncomfortable or even
discontent with body. Many people see their self-esteem is just linked with how
4
Benedict M. Ashley, Jean DeBlois and Kevin D. O’Rourke. Health care ethics: a Catholic
Theological Analysis, (Washington DC: Georgetown University Press 2006), 109
5
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
they look. We cannot deny that our society has built this kind of feeling such as
young, fresh, smooth, white, and shiny skin of body especially women’s body
which has been shown in mass media through advertisement. As a matter of
fact that the main reason of cosmetic surgery is to make people feel better about
themselves. Most people are motivated to undergo cosmetic surgery because of
body-image dissatisfaction. Linda L. Alexander and companions find that
many women look for cosmetic surgery because the media has created the
body image which results in their excessive dieting and eating disorders. By
quoting International Study of body language in 1997, Linda shows the
increasing of women who are discontent with their bodies, appearance, and
weight5.
The second reason is considering the fact that western culture has proven
to be the dominating world culture, so there is a kind of racial inferiority in our
society today. Therefore, many people tend to be more western looking.
Cressida J. Heyes, a feminist who studies on cosmetic surgery in Asian context
figures out that all cosmetic surgeries are ethnics6. In the same line, Ducan also
points out that alteration of normal ethnic features by removing and improving
certain parts of body to make one’s self more western looking. Further, a study
of an online website, Psychology Today, cosmetic surgeons use medical
terminology and racist descriptions to convince potential patients that eyelids
5
Linda Lewis Alexander and others, eds, New Dimensions in Women's Health, (UK: Jones &
Bartlett Publisher, 2007), 255.
6
Cressida J. Heyes, Cosmetic surgery: a Feminist Primer, (England: Ashgate Publishing Limited,
2009), 191
6
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
without folds are "sleepy" and that flat nasal bridge signify a "lack of force" in
character. For this reason many Asian people visit their cosmetic surgeons to
have their eyelids ceased, their nose bridges heightened, their nose tips
sharpened, etc7.
Third reason is a kind of youth illusion that develops nowadays. Many
people are trying to undertake cosmetic to be look younger because of the
“old” image is a grumpy and ugly8. Psychology Today notes that this is a natural
response, but this kind of fear can be easily happened to those who are in the
golden years of life9. People tend to lose their appreciation for aging naturally
and finding beauty in other people of all different ages. This can be
symptomatic of a society where old people are no longer reverent and
respected. In this society old people have negative association of wisdom and
experience. It gives us the impressions that we are living in a society where
natural beauty is dead.
The fourth reason is rooted in the desire to feel sexier or sexually
attractive. There is a kind of feeling of sexual incompleteness that force people
to attract others and look for sexual recognition. For example, a woman has a
flat chest will undergo breast implants in order to look sexier to others. Sandra
7
PT Staff, “When 'Sleepy Eyes' Won't Do”, September 01, 1993,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199309/when-sleepy-eyes-wont-do, (Accessed on
January 23).
8
Elizabeth Moltman-Wendel. I am My Body, (London: SCM Press, 1995), 28
9
Psychology Today, “Anti-Aging”, October 15, 2009”,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/who-am-i/200910/anti-aging, (Accessed on January 29,
2010).
7
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
Leiblum and Judith Sachs prove that more and more believe that changing the
outside will resolve the conflict and discontent going on within. It is marked by
the increasing of people who undergo cosmetic surgery in order to feel beautiful
and sexy10. Judith Sachs herself acknowledges the effect of cosmetic surgery
after her cosmetic surgeon removed all the scar tissue in her body. She feels
sexier because her body is so well adjusted and she feels more comfortable with
her body11.
In my opinion, the big problem with cosmetic surgery is what people are
defining as “beauty and normal”. Mass media has the most significant roles in
creating body image about anything less than perfect is not “ beauty and
normal.” Psychology Today shows that some patients in consultation and in the
operating room are some of the most psychologically complex patients in all of
medicine (and quite often unstable). Some have become so convinced and
brainwashed that a certain aspect of their body is not “normal” that their
identity and self-worth are all balanced on the potential of a scalpel12.
IS COSMETIC SURGERY AN IDOLATRY OF THE BODY?
Cosmetic Surgery can be taken into account as one kind of idolatry of
the body because it is merely patching up the outside and not the wholeness of
a person. It in many ways promotes worship of physical human beauty by
10
Sandra Leiblum and Judith Sachs, Getting the Sex You Want: A Woman's Guide to Becoming
Proud, Passionate, and pleased in Bed, (Lincoln: Crown Publisher 2003), 216
11
Ibid. 217
12
Psychology Today. “Am I normal? Yes, but You’re still Overweight”, December 15, 2008,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bad-appetite/200812/am-i-normal-yes-you-re-still-
overweight, (Accessed on February 3, 2010).
8
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
correcting or changing a part of the body in order to improve physical
appearance. Though there are some surgeries that are undertaken in order to
correct malformations resulting from injuries or deformity. These latter
surgeries have to be acknowledged as a positive thing in our society. Therefore,
all these procedures of surgeries reveal a person’s image of the human body to a
worldly standard. The question is how we come to judge cosmetic surgery as
morally justifiable or not?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church number 2289, “the
Church rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body,
to sacrifice everything for its sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at
sports.” It gives us the idea that this statement is implicitly related to the
practice of cosmetic surgery because by some means it relates to the human
body. However, there is no Church official teaching and never condemned it
specifically and officially. The issue here is overemphasize or exaggerate in
caring of the body which by some means is not in the line with the Church
teaching about human body and human person because they see the bodily
earthly life as the definitive one. It is different case from the obligation to take
care of the body which is intrinsically good.
In short, balance has to be here regarding to the task to take care of our
own body. Those who are too much focus on their body and how it looks are
led by the preoccupation with fashion and keeping up with advertising
attention by going far beyond what modesty word require. It gives us the
9
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
impression that cosmetic surgery is necessary, but it is unessential for a person
who undergoes it without any significant reason.
THE ROLE OF PHYSICIAN IN COSMETIC SURGERY
Cosmetic surgery is not merely a personal decision, but also needs the
physician’s approval. Every action relates to morality and ethics in our society.
One ethical issue in cosmetic surgery is about autonomy. In terms of making
decisions, patients are free to choose cosmetic surgery and spending money for
it because of his or her autonomy as a human person. The other ethical issue
relates to the physician or surgeon. Physicians should provide a maximum
benefit for the patients such as the health of the patients and their safety.
We have to consider that all kinds the surgery involves risks that must
be fairly well defined before surgery undertaken. Ethical consent denotes a
decision-making process based on mutual respect and full disclosure between
doctor and patient. Surgeon needs to accurately ascertain the emotional state
and the patient’s expectation (with the help of psychologist or psychotherapist).
In addition, surgeon needs to know what is aesthetically pleasing to surgeon
may differ from what patient imagines as ideal result.
Regarding to this ethical issue, Benedict M. Ashley, says that we have
“ethical norms that we should respect the rights of others.” He adds that we
need to understand what a right is, and then allow people to make their own
10
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
decision about health care procedure13. He points out several norms regarding
to the content of Catholic Health care ethics derived from the experience of
human beings enlightened by the teaching and examples of Jesus and then have
been practicing by the Church or centuries such as: the principle of well formed
conscience, informed consent, double effect, cooperation, professional
communication, human dignity, common good and subsidiarity, totality and
integrity, stewardship and creativity, inner freedom, personalized sexuality and
growth through suffering14.
We know that many people undergo cosmetic surgery for merely
aesthetically improved personal appearance. Nevertheless, the questions that
arise here are about their necessity and moral legitimacy because the fact that
cosmetic surgery always involves some risks. The Church gives answers using
the application of the theological principle of totality, autonomy and in the
examination of the intentions and consciousness. Applying the principle of
totality the Church consider that it could be morally acceptable and reasonable
because even though there are risks involved, we have to admit that there are a
lot of personal advantages anticipated in a particular cosmetic surgical
procedure. To apply autonomy and consciousness in cosmetic surgery, the
Church recommends that it should be undertaken by a person who is really free
from any pressure (autonomy) and he/she is aware of the risks (knowledge). In
13
Benedict M. Ashley and Kevin D. O’Rourke, Ethics of Health Care, (Washington DC:
Georgetown University Press, 2002), 17
14
Ibid. 17-29
11
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
terms of the intentions, cosmetic surgery could become morally wrong if
undertaken for a wrong intention such as to feed one's personal vanity
inordinately, to facilitate some immoral activity, or for a criminal to evade
justice or make easier the commission of further crimes.
James F. Drane, in his theory and practice in making medical-ethical
decision explains that:
“The principle of patient autonomy or patient’s right to give an informed consent is
first of all a right to refuse treatment and the right to choose from medically justifiable
options. … Physicians should maintain communication with patients throughout the
patient participation in medical decision-making.”15
He emphasizes that this principle applies in order to help and not to harm the
patients. In this sense, it becomes clear to us to consider that a physician must
treat the patient as a person and not as organ or tissue. In other words, there is
the patient autonomy and the physician beneficence.
THE BENEFITS AND THE RISKS OF COSMETIC SURGERY
We are aware of the facts that the benefits of cosmetic surgery are
fantastic both physically and spiritually or emotionally. For example, people
will not only look and feel younger, prettier, fresher, thinner, skinny, etc, but
also become more confident, more outgoing, more personable because the rise
of self-esteem. Consequently, people become more active in their work and
much healthier because they find themselves psychologically and physically are
balance. They become more focus on their job and responsibilities rather than
15
James F. Drane, Clinical Bioethics, (Kansas City: Sheed and Ward, 1994), 131
12
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
conscious and worry about their physical problems. These are some significant
advantages in improving one’s appearance.
We should acknowledge and appreciate that modern procedures have
greatly dismissed most risks in cosmetic surgery and it has given a lot of benefit
for improving one’s appearance. However, like many other procedures,
cosmetic surgery has some degree of risks. Therefore, the patients should
consider the possible dangers and risks involved in any kinds of cosmetic
surgery. Its risks and effects have to be weighed maturely. The ASPS confirms
that it is a business service provided to those who desire it, can pay for it and
are willing to accept the risks involved. Lack of legal safeguards and medical
accountability, and the probability that only badly qualified doctors will offer
illegal operations will defer almost everyone from risking black market surgery.
Benefit of it is still not covering up the fact that its intention is to make money,
not to make people better16.
Regarding to the dangers of cosmetic surgery Magdalena Alagna, by
referring to Encyclopedia of Medicine describes some common risks of
cosmetic surgery such as17: Scars, bleeding, infection and hematomas, and
nerve damage. Scars is one of the most common risks Sometimes people may
have to get more cosmetic surgery to get rid of ugly scars. She proves that most
16
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon”,
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/patients_consumers/How-to-Choose-a-Plastic-Surgeon-
Guide.pdf, (Accessed on February 6, 2010).
17
Magdalena Alagna, Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery, (New York: Publishing group. Inc, 2002), 30-
34
13
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
surgeons will try to hide incision lines in places where they aren't noticeable,
like under the crease of the breast in breast augmentation plastic surgery and in
the hairline in facial plastic surgery, but most surgeries will still result in
permanent scarring. Bleeding, infection and hematomas are possible after
surgery, but if these complications are caught early on they can usually be
treated. Nerve damage is a serious complication. Some people who undergo
plastic surgery will lose feeling in the area that was operated on while others
may experience problems moving muscles in the area where the surgery was
performed. Therefore, the patients should consider and be aware of all of these
risks before undertaking cosmetic surgery.
In the same line, Alagna also shows some risks associated with some of
the most common procedures such as breast augmentation which risks include
sensory damage around the operation site, discoloration of the skin, tissue
necrosis, asymmetry, infection, formation of scar tissue, and allergic reactions
to sedation. Facial plastic surgery, on the other hand, can lead to noticeable
tissue damage, unnatural looking features and premature aging. Not only will
the procedure determine the risks involved but so will the individual. Smokers,
people with diabetes, heart conditions and certain allergies are more likely to
experience complications that other people can avoid18. It is obvious that the
type of procedures will determine the risks that are involved.
18
Ibid. 35
14
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
For that reason, Alagna suggests that it is important for the patient to
have blood tests and a physical done to ensure that he or she is a good
candidate for surgery and to look into the procedure the patient is considering
and learn about the risks involved19. The risks of plastic surgery will differ
depending on the individual and the procedure they opt for. Plastic surgery
complications can range from scarring to fatalities and the effects of surgery can
sometimes be traumatizing to patients both physically and psychologically.
COSMETIC SURGERY, CAREER AND HUMAN DIGNITY
We are living in a society which has changed dramatically. Now, we are
in the state of crisis in the economy and global recession which people tend to
believe that appearance and good looks are really matter in the business world.
This strongly influences the hiring and firing policy at workplace. For instance
people are forced to undergo cosmetic surgery with the intention of enhancing
their appearance because it will give them great advantages to get job easily.
The survey conducted by Psychology Today releases that most of women in the
USA were going for cosmetic surgery just to get a competitive edge in the
workplace and secure their career. The ASPS concludes that cosmetic surgery
plays an important role in achieving professional success20.
Furthermore, there are many people who do cosmetic surgery out of
pressure from the romantic partner, family or friends. The pressures of
19
Ibid. 35
20
Psychology Today, “Framework Matching Career Type True Self”, December 29, 2009
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-career-within-you/200912/framework-matching-career-
type-true-self, (Accessed on February 7, 2010).
15
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
appearance apply particularly to women. In many cases women, especially
young brides, sometimes do cosmetic surgery under pressure from family or
romantic partner before the wedding in order to look prettier for the new
husband. People who have problems with their appearance tend to undergo
cosmetic surgery because of their rejection sensitivity. Many researches
approve that people who feel rejection based on their physical appearance are
more likely to express interest in having cosmetic surgery than those who are
less sensitive to a consolation; that individuals who anxiously expect rejection
based on their appearance are vulnerable to the effects of negative comments
about their appearance21. The question that arises here is why someone should
change his or her look just to make others happy?
I consider that people are just amazed with someone who has normal or
even best physical standard of appearance. For me, the most important thing
here is a matter of acceptance of others as they are, not only based on their
look, but as person or an individual. Society has created an image of beauty
and normal which is continuously bombarded by the media. Many people are
forced to alter their look in order to conform to what portrayed on TV or other
media. This is the consequence of over emphasizing on aesthetics by media and
make people not be happy with what nature has given them. Media creates the
myths and beliefs that those who are beautiful or handsome and look normal
21
Lora E. Park and Others, eds, “Predicting interest in cosmetic surgery: Interactive effects of
appearance-based rejection sensitivity and negative appearance comments”, 2009,
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/pdf/Juneo09/LoraParkCosmeticSurgeryStudy.pdf, (Accessed On
January 12, 2010).
16
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
will succeed rather those who are not. In other words, cosmetic surgery can
improve one’s relationship and helps to get job, but we should consider that
cultural changes increasingly emphasize one’s physical appearance as a
qualification in many sectors of the business world can be a discrimination to
those who have physical problems.
According to James Keenan, the Christian tradition has always insisted
that the human body is not simply an object but it is always a person, a subject.
The Christian tradition is to direct us away from any tendency to isolate or
objectify the body. He shows some kinds of manipulation of body such as
pornography, prostitution, selling of organs, genetic engineering, and cloning.
People manipulate the body without looking upon how it affects the kind of
persons they would become. On the other hand, some people may manipulate
themselves in order to be more acceptable to others by taking cosmetic surgery,
idealization of certain body types through advertising, promoting unhealthy
body models to children. All these are a kind of overemphasis on the body as a
determinant of the person’s worth and dignity. These can become a kind of
discrimination because people manipulate their body to be accepted22.
We do not just have our body, we are our bodies. An integral human
development refers to the development of the whole person and every person.
To be a subject, the human body needs its own voice. Human body provides
means to be united intimately with Christ which in our Christian tradition is
22
James Keenan, Christian Perspectives on the Human Body, Theological Studies 55 (1994), 330-
346
17
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
extraordinary physical – incarnation. The Church seeks to care for the needs of
both the spiritual and physical dimensions of the human person. Healthy
appreciation of the body promotes the common good that would benefit the
live of every person. Therefore we must avoid a negative view of the body as
evil or less important than the soul. For instance, promoting cosmetic surgery
or undergoing cosmetic surgery purely because of shame of body or
identification of a part of the body as bad. We cannot make judgments on the
moral and spiritual state of a person merely based on their physical state
because it violates human dignity as a person.
Cosmetic surgery by some means relates to human dignity which
Catholic Church clearly underlines that:
“The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of
God (article 1); it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude (article 2). It is essential
to a human being freely to direct himself to this fulfillment (article 3). By his deliberate
actions (article 4), the human person does, or does not, conform to the good promised
by God and attested by moral conscience (article 5). Human beings make their own
contribution to their interior growth; they make their whole sentient and spiritual lives
into means of this growth (article 6). With the help of grace they grow in virtue (article
7), avoid sin, and if they sin they entrust themselves as did the prodigal son 1 to the
mercy of our Father in heaven (article 8). In this way they attain to the perfection of
charity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 1700).
Catholic Moral theology after Vatican II gives more attention to the
human person, in all his/her dimension and historical development. Human
person is adequately considered when she/he is taken as the image of God –
sacredness and dignity of every person, a relational being - to be human
person is to be toward others. Human person also is an embodiment subject –
a moral agent with certain degree of autonomy and self-determination
18
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
empowered to act according to her conscience, freedom and knowledge. As a
historical subject each person should be respected in our developmental
process, and considering person as persons on a journey of growth and can
develop and change through time. We need to consider also that as a human
person we are fundamentally equal but uniquely original. We seek to promote
what is universally good for all but we must allow for diversity in the
expression of what is morally good according to the unique culture and
background of individuals.
D. CONCLUSION
There are a lot of opinions regarding cosmetic surgery, but as the
bottom line here, I will sum up some significant points which are the following:
First, Reconstructive surgery is generally considered a good thing in the
case of cleft lip and palate repair, facial fractures and lacerations, scar revisions,
etc. This kind of cosmetic surgery is purely in order to repair and restore the
originally intended order of the body according to what is "normal" for a
human and it is a good thing. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in these cases.
Cosmetic surgery should be undertaken with a prudent choice of those involved
and there is no damage. However, if there is significant harm done or the
surgery is intrinsically wrong, then plastic surgery should not be done.
Second, the other matter that should be part of the decision is motivation
or intention is it for a health reason or for pure vanity. Regarding to this, the
critical questions we could be asked is what is the intention? Is the purpose of
19
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
doing so to hide a feature of body we don't like, please someone else, a part of a
tribal ritual, etc? Some reasons are good, some are not.
Third, cosmetic surgery also relates to financial resources and its
procedures because the procedures might harm the patient (physical, mental,
spiritual) and if there is significant damage to the integrity of the body, then
cosmetic surgery could be morally wrong. For instance, there are some kinds of
cosmetic surgery that can cause parts of the body to lose some or all
functionality. Here we can also ask how this will affect others and can we
afford it. We are not only to do as we wish, but rather we need to think of
others and consider our financial condition. These are three significant aspects
that we should consider before deciding to undertake it.
Some people have their lives significantly improved by cosmetic
surgery, yet there are also other people who go too far, losing their identities or
even their lives in their pursuit of perfection. Psychologically, people take
cosmetic surgery because they have negative self-image which means they do
not accept their physical reality or are unhappy with their external appearance.
If people respond negatively to our appearance it should not damage our self-
esteem. As Christian, our self-esteem should come from God, knowing that
God creates us and we should not judge others by their appearance, but we
look at their heart.
In my opinion, it’s unfair if the society through the mass media
overemphasize the physical appearance as a quality of one’s life rather the
20
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
wholeness of a person. We can see how artificial our live is. The implication
here is people just see human being more as an object, not as a subject. We can
notice how the obsession with physical appearance and the pursuit of
conformity to an earthly standard of health and beauty dominate our cultural
landscape, tremendously influenced by the advertising and entertainment
media. The problem sometimes is as more people are cosmetically enhanced,
so there will be more people suffering from low–esteem, because they cannot
afford to be like the celebrities who look so “perfect”. Therefore, it is clear to
me that the practice of the cosmetic surgery purely relates to the notion of
physical beauty as defined by certain social norms. ***
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alagna, Magdalena. Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery, New York: Publishing group.
Inc, 2002
Ashley, Benedict M. and Kevin D. O’Rourke., Ethics of Health Care,
Washington DC: Georgetown University Press, 2002
Ashley, Benedict M., Jean DeBlois and Kevin D. O’Rourke. Health Care Ethics:
A Catholic Theological Analysis, Washington DC: Georgetown University
Press, 2006
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 1994, Manila: Ecce Word & Life
Publication.
Heyes, Cressida J. Cosmetic surgery: a Feminist Primer, England: Ashgate
Publishing Limited, 2009.
Drane, James F. 1994, Clinical Bioethics, Kansas City: Sheed and Ward.
Duncan, A. S., Gordon Reginald Dunstan, and Richard Burkewood
Welbourn, Dictionary of Medical Ethics, London: Darton, Longman &
Todd, 1981.
21
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
Moltman-Wendel, Elizabeth. I am My Body, London: SCM Press, 1995.
Keenan, James. 1994, Christian Perspectives on the Human Body, Theological
Studies 55
Leiblum, Sandra and Judith Sachs. Getting the Sex You Want: A Woman's Guide
to Becoming Proud, Passionate, and pleased in Bed, Lincoln: Crown
Publisher 2003.
Alexander, Linda Lewis and others, eds, New Dimensions in Women's Health,
UK: Jones & Bartlett Publisher, 2007.
Moltmann,-Wendel, Elizabeth. I am My Body, London: SCM Press, 1995.
Heyes, Cressida J. Meredith Rachael Jones, Cosmetic Surgery: A Feminist Primer,
Great Britain: MPG Book Ltd; Bodmin, Cornwall, 2009
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). “The History of Plastic Surgery,
ASPS and PSEF,” 2010
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/About_ASPS/History_of_Plastic_Surge
ry.html, (Acceseed on January 12, 2010)
______. “How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon”,
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/patients_consumers/How-
to-Choose-a-Plastic-Surgeon-Guide.pdf, (Accessed on February 6,
2010).
Park, Lora E. and Others, eds, “Predicting interest in cosmetic surgery:
Interactive effects of appearance-based rejection sensitivity and negative
appearance comments”, 2009,
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/pdf/Juneo09/LoraParkCosmeticSurger
yStudy.pdf, (Accessed On January 12, 2010).
Psychology Today, “Framework Matching Career Type True Self”, December
29, 2009 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-career-within-
you/200912/framework-matching-career-type-true-self, (Accessed on
February 7, 2010).
22
[COSMETIC SURGERY] IGNASIUS TULA WATOR
______, “Anti-Aging”, October 15, 2009”,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/who-am-i/200910/anti-aging,
(Accessed on January 29, 2010).
______. “Am I normal? Yes, but You’re still Overweight”, December 15, 2008,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bad-appetite/200812/am-i-
normal-yes-you-re-still-overweight, (Accessed on February 3, 2010)
PT Staff, “When 'Sleepy Eyes' Won't Do”, September 01, 1993,
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199309/when-sleepy-eyes-
wont-do, (Accessed on January 23).
23
