Download Is Underage Plastic Surgery Ethical?

By: Tania Lecona
 Cosmetic
surgeons can have one or two
cosmetic surgeries in their history after
medical school and can be qualified to label
themselves as “cosmetic surgeons.”
 Plastic surgeons require at least 5 more years
of practice after medical school in both
reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries before
being allowed consideration to join the
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
 In
2011, 13.8 million plastic procedures
were performed.
 That’s a 5% increase from 2010.
 A total of 16% increase from 2007.
 And 5.5 million of these were reconstructive.
 That’s 39.85% of the plastic procedures done;
not even half!
 2% of the people that had procedures
performed, were between the ages of 13 and
19.
 While
the 2% (230,617) of the people having
plastic surgery done has been constant these
past 5 years, we should keep in mind, that
the number of procedures have increased;
therefore the number of teens getting
cosmetic surgery done is also going up.
 Think about what this means, what it says
about our young generation of Americans,
and the doctors that not only allow this, but
do the surgery themselves!
 Think
about the 13 year old Billy that wants
a nose job, or the 15 year old Jane that
wants liposuction.
 Imagine if what happened to Jenny, happens
to Jane or Billy.
 Now imagine if the plastic surgeon that
performed their surgeries had said, “I’m
sorry, but I can’t do this because it is against
my ethical code.”
 Plastic
Surgeons DO have an ethical code!
 In the Bylaws of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons, they have a “Code of
Ethics” section.
 No mention of minors
 No mention of underage children
 No mention of “between the ages of _ to _.”
 No mention of “under the age of 18 or what
is considered as an adult.”
 Are
we up to changing or improving the law
regarding underage plastic surgery?
 Should we hold accountable the surgeon if an
addiction or any psychological consequence
should arise from getting plastic surgery
done on a minor?
 Or should everything stay the same because
if as long as the parents give consent to the
surgery, it’s fine for the surgeon to perform
the procedure?