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Fake face, fake boobs, fake nails, fake booty, fake hair, fake lips, “all fake everything”.
The Fake Craze
The artificial epidemic creating the art of altering one’s body to be socially accepted is something that has been going on since ancient times. Not until recently has the fad become medically possible to change almost any part of the outer body. According to Dr. Powers, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, people opt for plastic surgery because they have a low self-esteem, crave attention, or are forced to by an image obsessed society. Dr. Powers also talked about how many Asian girls including herself, got eyelid surgery, which was for aesthetic reasons, meaning voluntary or unnecessary for normal human functioning. In 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the United States alone. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, with the five most common being breast augmentation, liposuction, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty. Cosmetic surgery crosses all racial and ethnic lines in the U.S., with increases seen among African-Americans and Hispanic Americans as well as Caucasian Americans.
While this ever-growing trend continues to boost like the saline implants of California beach girls, more and more women are contemplating on other cosmetic surgeries. Many start with a nip/tuck, fast forwardly accumulating more surgeries, becoming an addict; and while plastic surgery addicts compulsion for perfection surpass the norm, that’s when it becomes a problem; stemming from the preoccupation of a negative body image. For the moment, they would be satisfied until they see another bone to pick with themselves, resulting to more plastic surgery. The question remains basic: Is it the surgeon’s responsibility to say ‘no’ to someone who has had countless cosmetic surgeries? Like the bartender who “cuts off” a person who had one too many drinks; does the surgeon decide to draw the line or continue to collect a check? Plastic surgery is a multi-billion dollar industry, so why deny a patient the right to surgery? If one doctor say no, that patient will go to another doctor to get their cosmetic surgery done. People who get multiple surgeries may suffer from Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD), a negative preoccupation with physical appearance, most often in a highly exaggerated way. Many who suffer from this disorder are at greater risk of becoming plastic surgery addicts. Individuals with the disorder may display symptoms similar to those who are diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
The media has definitely played a huge role in the way everyday people look at themselves with notable celebrities getting nip/tucks, extensions six feet long, picture perfect make-up and a host of other false enhancements. So there is no question why an everyday Jane wouldn’t want a little “pick-me-up” like the celebs you see on TV. Kim Kardashian for instance, is alleged to have had cosmetic surgery, starting with her infamous derriere. Wendy Williams candidly speaks about her surgeries and how she’ll get more surgery if she needs some tweaking to do. Joan Rivers is not a stranger to cosmetic surgery; she is the ‘Queen of Plastic’.
And then there are those cosmetic surgery stories that you hear that ends in a fatality; causing you to cringe. Like, Donda West, mother of Hip Hop artist Kanye West, who died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving abdominoplasty and breast augmentation. It was reported that Ms. West was advised by Beverly Hills physician Andre Aboolian not to have surgery because of a health condition that placed her at risk for a heart attack. The cosmetic surgery was performed by Dr. Jan Adams. In honor of her death, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed the “Donda West Law”, a legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery. Olivia Goldsmith, the best selling author of “The First Wives Club” and other pop-feminist novels died of complications from cosmetic surgery while getting a face-lift. But all surgeries don’t end in a fatality. Some surgeries make you want to cry being that it’s so daunting to look at. Like, Jocelyn Wilderstein, famous for being disgustingly rich, had countless surgeries that include a cheekbone implant, eye reconstruction, facelifts, Botox and lip injections. Burt Reynolds, 1970’s heart-throb, had his face pulled too tightly; he also appears to have gotten a brow lift and nose job. Lil Kim, Hip Hop rapper, notoriously is a fan of cosmetic surgery, lightening her skin, cheek implants, a brow lift and a nose job.
So what is the big hoopla about this fake craze that posses a potential risk; is it really worth it? One’s unhappiness with themselves and who they are inside may not match their outward appearance or maybe they want to enhance a feature. Whatever the case may be, cosmetic surgery is in existence and whether we like it or not, people will always alter their appearance. Bringing me to my next point. Would I for one, be interested in getting the media-driven surgeries of our Tinseltown counterparts? Even though, most people shy away from speaking openly about cosmetic surgery; I would be the first to admit that I would not rule out cosmetic surgery if I needed it. Maybe a little pulling and tugging here and there, but my biggest concern would be looking too fake. I love the natural look and looking anything but fake; I’ll pass. Or I bet my feelings would get the best of me; I can see myself now on the operating table about to get the nip/tuck, then here I go screaming “Forget it, forget it” just before sedation, accepting Mother Nature handing me the certificate of the “Gravity Taking Its Course” award. I guess not after all!
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