Teenagers are increasingly opting for cosmetic surgery due to societal pressure and the desire to enhance their appearance. This trend stems from the commercialization of body image ideals. Therefore, teenagers with sufficient financial resources are inclined to undergo cosmetic procedures to improve their physical appearance. It is crucial for teens to evaluate three key factors before deciding on cosmetic surgery: peer influence, the doctor’s credentials and reputation, and the associated costs.
Teenagers in today’s society face intense peer pressure, particularly when it comes to their classmates’ fashion choices and expensive items. From the stylish clothes they wear to the high-priced accessories they own, such as cars and jewelry, teenagers feel compelled to keep up with their peers. They also observe their friends getting cosmetic enhancements, such as bigger breasts and lips, which further intensifies their desire to conform. Additionally, the influence of supermodels on television fuels their aspiration to look like them. Consequently, teenagers constantly strive to outdo one another as a result of this peer pressure, always wanting more and better things that they see in today’s society.
The teenage girl I spoke with expressed a strong desire to be more beautiful than her peers and possess all things, including money. She believes that the cost of cosmetic surgery is primarily her parents’ responsibility to fulfill her desire for such procedures. These teenagers who have considered cosmetic surgery have conducted minimal research on the doctors who specialize in this field, as well as on the potential long-term effects. Instead, they rely on advice from friends who have undergone similar procedures. Surprisingly, these teens do not consult other friends to inquire about any problems that may have arisen from their surgeries.
In my college attendance research, I examined various factors such as the college’s license and students’ class rankings. Additionally, I investigated their internships and the hospitals where they completed them. Moreover, I analyzed patients who underwent surgery conducted by a specific doctor. The financial burden of these surgeries can be long-term for patients. In terms of lip injections, their effects usually last for two years before follow-up visits are required to assess any possible disfigurements. Furthermore, the surgical procedures may include breast implants or injections.
As time passes, the beast’s look may worsen and more surgeries or injections might be needed. This can be particularly costly for teenagers in the long run as their bodies continue to develop until they reach twenty-five years of age. A case of unsuccessful cosmetic surgery happened when one of my nieces’ high school classmates underwent breast surgery without parental consent. As a result, she had to urgently go to the emergency room due to her body rejecting the injected substance. The consequences included severe symptoms like an abnormally high fever, vomiting, hives, and unconsciousness.
The girl was convinced by her schoolmate to receive an injection from a recommended individual, so she proceeded with the procedure. Her friend had already undergone the same surgery without any problems, which led the girl to believe that her experience would also be trouble-free. At first, everything went well and there were no complications in the initial few weeks. The doctor only arranged one follow-up appointment after the surgery. To hide it, the expense of the procedure was billed to her parents’ insurance as treatment for a scar on her stomach.
The teenager kept her parent in the dark until she fell ill, upon which the parent underwent surgery and later filed a lawsuit against the doctor. When questioned by the parent about her motive for the surgery, the teenager revealed that she sought attention from boys in her classes and desired to be attractive among peers. This serves as a noteworthy example of negative outcomes stemming from cosmetic surgery. Teenagers frequently underestimate the potential impact their actions can have on their bodies during crucial growth stages. It is not uncommon for young teenagers to undergo cosmetic surgery before their bodies have fully matured.
According to my research, the American Society of Plastic (ASPS) reports an increase in the number of teenagers seeking cosmetic surgery in the United States. Between 2002 and 2006, there was nearly a doubling in procedures for those aged 19 and under, totaling 244,124 procedures. This included approximately 47,000 nose jobs and 9,000 breast augmentations. The human body reaches full development around age 25. These surgeries are expensive for insurance companies as prices vary from $2,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Due to financial constraints, the majority of people are unable to afford these surgeries, causing teenagers to turn to profit-seeking doctors who disappear after performing the procedure. This results in financial losses for insurance companies and challenges for parents in locating the doctors. It is essential for authorities to investigate these complaints and search for the doctors elsewhere. The ongoing search involves both domestic and international efforts by the FBI. However, teenagers persist in seeking surgery by exploring alternative means of securing funds and finding willing doctors.
Recognizing and addressing peer pressures that teenagers encounter on a daily basis is essential. In our fast-paced society, there will always be doctors who perform surgeries and then move to the next city, leaving teenagers to cope with the consequences and long-term impact of these procedures. Cosmetic surgery is a prevalent phenomenon that impacts everyone, regardless of their actions or looks. As parents, it is vital for us to convey to our children that they possess beauty both internally and externally. We must guarantee they feel loved and appreciated for their bodies, thus averting any feelings of inadequacy or unattractiveness.
When discussing our teenagers’ bodies, it is crucial to acknowledge that their peers also influence their feelings and actions. As parents, we must be available and open to hearing their perspectives. In modern society, appearance and wealth are greatly valued. Hence, it is vital to assess people and things based on their inherent qualities rather than their monetary worth. The Plastic Surgery Guide (2009), Cosmetic Surgery (2009), and the World Guide on Cosmetic Surgery Journal (2006) all support this standpoint.
