If you mention going under the knife even to your closest friends, they might struggle not to judge. But you’re already so beautiful, or something to that effect, is what they may eventually come up with.
Cosmetic surgery has deep-rooted associations with “altering nature’s ways,” which makes almost everyone consider it carefully.
However, in the world we live in, multiple opportunities exist to improve our quality of life. There’s no reason to live with a large birthmark that makes you feel uncomfortable. (Just like there’s no reason to get it removed unless you want to.)
More people now consider surgical options for reconstruction or augmentation as they age or after they face an accident. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that the total number of cosmetic procedures in the US in 2025 exceeded 6 million.
However, it is not social stereotypes or community reactions that should warn you against such procedures. Let us explore three unrelated reasons that make these treatments worthy of caution.
1. The Risk of Long-Term Side Effects
Many surgical procedures, whether cosmetic or medical, have side effects to some extent. Typically, patients receive guidance on managing them, and they abate within a few weeks. But what if your treatment leaves you with lasting consequences that cause physical and emotional pain?
It might sound like fear-mongering, but people have experienced such results from seemingly safe procedures. The ongoing GalaFLEX lawsuit, which relates to an internal bra-like mesh used in breast augmentation and lift, is a particularly upsetting example.
According to TorHoerman Law, some patients have experienced chronic pain and disfigurement, causing them to have several revision surgeries. The magnitude of the associated medical bills and mental health impact is anybody’s guess.
What happened with Galaflex isn’t exactly unheard of in this domain: off-label use of products in unapproved ways and lack of adequate testing.
The solution?
Discuss the potential risks of side effects in great detail before proceeding.
Do your own research, not placing all your trust in a single source.
Run any prescribed medical tests before committing to the procedure.
2. Environmental Costs, Which Affect All of Us
Thinking about the environment doesn’t come intuitively to mind when exploring cosmetic procedures. Naturalists may argue that the two are poles apart. But these procedures, at least in their present form, may not be the environment’s best friend.
The core problem is that the industry relies excessively on energy and materials from fossil fuels. This worsens the carbon footprint of healthcare, which is already discouraging. Surgery is the most resource-intensive component of this sector, and produces 70% of medical waste.
It begs the question: can we dismiss the “non-essential” procedures?
Reasonably speaking, boycotting cosmetic surgery isn’t a sensible or sustainable solution. A procedure that a medical practitioner may deem non-essential could be important to an individual traumatized by accident scars.
That said, in a warming world, with abrupt weather events becoming more common, we must make more mindful decisions.
3. The Futility of It All
Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance? It is that discomfiting feeling you get when you bring home a purchase and experience disappointment. That dress, which looked fabulous in the trial room, doesn’t seem quite right. Those shoes aren’t really your style.
Cognitive dissonance that follows an expensive and intrusive procedure can feel even worse.
A People feature talks about a woman who underwent surgery for her deviated septum. She also wanted to change the look of her nose. Sadly, the results were not what she expected. She took to social media to share her disappointment and also highlight the painfulness of recovery.
Some people hope that a cosmetic procedure will help them feel better about themselves or change the way a partner or society at large perceives them. Such assumptions often turn out to be false. Instead, they reveal the futility of pursuing a purported solution with exaggerated hopes without assessing the full picture.
It is wise to check in with yourself and understand your motive behind considering cosmetic treatments. You don’t wish to end up feeling shortchanged.
Cosmetic, But More Than Skin Deep
Every year, cosmetic surgeons meet people who wish to explore surgical procedures to address bodily concerns. Professionals are trained to appreciate that patients may come with different motivations and ideas, such as gaining confidence or feeling like themselves again. Practitioners discuss these motives in depth before proceeding.
So, when in doubt, it is a great idea to book a consultation with a professional known for their expertise and integrity. You don’t want to meet with someone who’s only out to make money. Neither must you discourage yourself by interacting with people who won’t even consider surgeries when they can be effective and helpful.
As invasive procedures that may permanently change physical aspects of you, it is only sensible to approach cosmetic surgery carefully.
