Impacts+H


 * Impacts of Technology **

‍Cosmetic surgery is no longer the privilege of the rich and famous. In the 2010 report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons [ASPS], its popularity recorded a $10.1 billion industry, with 13.1 million cosmetic surgical procedures. The industry showed a 5% steady growth from the 2009 statistics, which is associated with the increase in non-invasive surgical procedure like botox. This robust business is expected to expand in the coming years because the market has evolved to a more economically diverse patient base.
 * ‍Economic impact ‍ **

Unlike any medical procedure, cosmetic surgery is not covered by the healthcare insurance; therefore, all costs are the patients responsibility. This prompted medical practitioners and patients to find ways in removing the obstacle of cost, which opened a niche for health care services credit card like Credit Care. Similar to any credit card, it offers promotional no interest plans from 6, 12, 18 or 24 months; however, it goes further with options of a fixed low monthly payment plan for 5 years. This addressed the cost dilemma for patients, as well as practitioners. According to testimonies of three major plastic surgery clinics (ASPS, 2010), this financing option attracts more patients; converts initial consultation to scheduled procedures; and build patient base. Total spent on cosmetic surgery (ASPS, 2010)


 * ‍Interpersonal impact ‍ **

An individual's standard of beauty is by the coexistence of self-image and socio-cultural influence.

According to Henderson-King and Brooks (2010), the gaze of important figures in a person's life is a determinant of it's perception of beauty. The impressions from parents, friends and mate motivate a person's psychology of appearance. This is further magnified by the network of mass media images that support the ideology of feminine beauty. They glorify the female body, and provide the means to further improve the project. On the other hand, the feeling of deficiency has a negative impact on self-image. It acts as a predictor in monitoring the body and find avenues to enhance attractiveness. Thus, the factors of intrapersonal and social influence are direct motivators to a positive behavior toward invasive procedure. In a husband and wife relationship, it is important that there is a meeting of minds prior to the procedure. The husband should have full support to his wife, both physical and emotional. As a renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Gerald Pitman commented how a husband attempts to provide the best home recovery by borrowing the neighbor's generator, plus made a fire to make her comfortable and warm. Overall, the surgery not only gave the wife a better appearance; it also motivated the husband to become interested in diet, exercise and outdoor activities, which results to a healthier relationship.



//"Cosmeti////c surgery does not change your personality//

//but it might change a stigma of something you might//

//be worried about"////(Rosenthal, 2011).//

Effects of Interpersonal impact


 * Demographic **

In the U.S., the ASPS (2010) has been the source opf reliable cosmetic surgery statistics since 1992. Their 2010 demographic trend showed that out of the 11.5 million cosmetic surgical procedures, 5.5 million of which are women age 40 to 54. Their ethnicity broken down into 70% Caucasian, 11% Hispanic, 8% African American, 6% Asian American and 4% others. It is good to note that 50% of them are repeat patients, and 40% have multiple cosmetic procedures done at the same time (Report on the 2010 Plastic Surgery Procedures, p.6).

Although cosmetic surgery has a demographic age range of 13 to 55 and older, male and female, statistics show that the female population are the primary consumers of the services. There were further validated by the result of Slevec and Tiggemann's (2010) study on the middle-aged women, who experience aging anxiety. The subjects revealed that a youthful appearance will bring greater employment and romantic prospect during their mid-life, which leads to appearance investment by plastic surgery. In the same study, Caucasian women are more provoked by cosmetic surgery reality shows, while ethnic groups with large female body type are less impulsive to body re-shaping. Finally, the exponential growth of this industry is proliferated by the repeat patients and the multiple number of procedures done in one operation.


 * Benefits and Drawbacks Table **

Life threatening || Competition as a medical tourism ||
 * || **Benefits** || **Drawbacks** ||
 * 1.Interpersonal || Enhanced self-image || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Excessive body monitoring with constant need for improvement ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Reduced insecurities || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Regret on the result of the procedure ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Alleviate body dissatisfaction || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Increased dissatisfaction, with yearning for more surgical procedure ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Improved quality of life ||  ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Improved sex life || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Lack of family support ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">New and motivated social life ||  ||
 * || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">More job opportunities (depending on the career) ||  ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">2. Medical || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Updated techniques in procedure lead to competent practitioners || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Risks, physical and psychological side effects
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">3. Economic || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Industry growth is associated with advertising it as a medical necessity for the aging population || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Risk of accountability, if done overseas

**Transition statement**: Cosmetic surgery impacts our lives with a magnitude that spins off challenges. The next page will discuss the problems and its proposed solutions.

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