Introduction: Beauty Under the Scalpel The 21st-century individual competes not only in technology but also in appearance. The ideals of “filtered” beauty on social media, constantly changing faces of celebrities, and the beauty standards imposed by advertising are increasing the number of plastic surgeries daily. Today, plastic surgery is no longer a luxury for many, but a part of “daily care.” But do these changes only affect the skin? Who notices the psychological traces beneath the surface?
1. Plastic Surgery: Aesthetic Need or Psychological Pressure? Plastic surgeries fall into two categories: reconstructive and aesthetic. Reconstructive surgeries are performed after injuries, burns, congenital defects, or cancer treatments. Aesthetic ones aim to change the appearance: rhinoplasty, lip augmentation, cheekbone enhancement, facelifts, etc.
The decision to undergo aesthetic surgery is not always driven by appearance. Often, it is fueled by self-rejection, low self-esteem, societal pressure, and personal trauma. A person who cannot love their reflection in the mirror may realize that they want to change not just their face, but their very self.
2. Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Psychological Distortion of Beauty Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental condition where a person sees flaws that don’t exist. Such individuals may undergo multiple procedures, but are never satisfied with the results.
This is where the dangerous path begins. A surgeon’s scalpel attempts to “correct” not the body, but the soul. Yet a problem rooted in self-esteem, not in the physical body, cannot be cut away.
3. What Changes After Surgery? Many believe they’ll be happier after rhinoplasty, more loved with fuller lips, more successful with higher cheekbones… But one thing remains: the level of self-acceptance.
After surgery, a person may experience:
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Discrepancy between expectations and results
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Postoperative depression
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The urge for more surgeries
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Social withdrawal
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Heightened self-criticism
This is called “postoperative dysphoria.”
4. The “Filtered” Generation: Social Media and the Illusion of Perfection Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms showcase ideal beauty. But this beauty is often artificial – the result of filters and Photoshop.
Especially among youth, there’s a growing gap between their real face and what they see on screen. To bridge this gap, many resort to plastic surgery.
5. Risks Under the Scalpel Even the simplest procedures carry risks:
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Infections and abscesses
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Complications from anesthesia
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Tissue necrosis
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Bleeding, hematomas
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Nerve damage
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Asymmetry
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Implant rupture or migration
Sometimes, the pursuit of beauty ends in the ICU – or even death.
6. A Society That Pushes the Knife Society demands women to be “well-groomed,” “attractive,” and “youthful.” A woman after childbirth, with gray hair and under-eye circles, no longer fits the mold.
Even those who initially reject surgery may begin to think, “I should change too.” Otherwise, they won’t be accepted or loved.
7. Reconstructive Surgery: When Aesthetics Save Lives Not all surgeries are equal. Reconstructive surgery – following cancer, trauma, burns – aims not at beauty, but at restoring life.
Here, the goal is recovery, not appearance. For example, breast reconstruction after mastectomy or facial reconstruction after burns can restore a person’s confidence and joy.
8. Not Every Surgeon is an Angel: The Dark Side of the Beauty Industry Plastic surgery is a market. In 2023, over 30 million procedures were performed.
Unregulated clinics, unlicensed surgeons, flashy slogans – all pose serious risks. Promises of “a new face in a day” often end in tragedy.
9. Self-Worth – The Most Beautiful Surgery Beauty isn’t how others see you. It’s how you feel about yourself. You deserve love not from someone who adores your altered look, but from someone who cherishes the real you.
Self-acceptance isn’t about giving up – it’s about self-care. If you can look in the mirror and say “I’m enough,” you don’t need a scalpel.
Conclusion: The Body Changes, but the Soul Must Heal… Today, surgeries are more accessible than ever. But implants cannot fill the void within. Changing your body doesn’t mean changing who you are.
True beauty isn’t under the knife – it lies in self-love, acceptance, and inner worth.
Before going under the knife, ask yourself: “Do I want to change, or do I want to be accepted?” If it’s the latter – you don’t need surgery. You need a hug.