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With over 9 million cosmetic surgery procedures performed last year in the U.S. it is fair to say that considering a physical improvement today is as common as choosing a hair color or a brand of toothpaste. Twenty-five years ago cosmetic plastic surgery was considered extreme and reserved for a privileged few. What a difference a few decades of social change have made in the attitude towards the whole concept of plastic surgery. Everybody is aware of its existence and most certainly has an opinion about it. While celebrities and untoward events in cosmetic surgery make the news, everyday decisions are made by the average person to change a facial or body feature that is significant for them even though it does not end up as a YouTube video. A past survery conducted in the U.S. indicates that one-third of responders were in favor of having plastic surgery on themselves. When asked if the procedure was done for free, those favoring plastic surgery doubled to nearly two-thirds of responders. A more recent survey in the U.K. showed that nearly 50% of those surveyed would opt for surgery if it was offered for free of charge. These surveys show that the attitude towards plastic surgery is highly influenced by the economics of it. Those who can afford it have more favorable attitudes than those who can’t. Although I would question if this holds true for the youngest generation of teenagers and young adults who have grown up as plastic surgery has rapidly expanded and see it as a more normal experience than older generations.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

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