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Cosmetic Surgery vs Reconstructive Surgery: Their

Moral Implications

A Research Report Submitted to

Associate Professor Arvin D. Eballo, EdD

University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment of the Course

Requirements in Christian Ethics (PHL5)

By:

BALASABAS, Ruth Marienelle

SAMSON, John Carlo
TUAZON, Maria Cherisse
TUAZON, Maria Christine
VILLANUEVA, Darell Josepher
YEUNG, Pamela Andrea
YU, Lauren Therese
2MB

July 18, 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter

1 INTRODUCTION

Historical Background--------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Statement of the Problem------------------------------------------------------------------ 3

Objectives of the Problem----------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Scope and Limitations--------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Significance of the Problem-------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Definition of Terms------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5

2 DISCUSSION------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6

3 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

Recommendation-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

References----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13
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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Historical Background

PLASTIC SURGERY are treatments for the plastic repair of a broken nose are first

mentioned in the Edwin Smith Papyrus, a transcription of an Ancient Egyptian medical text,

some of the oldest known surgical treatise, dated to the Old Kingdom from 3000 to 2500 BC.

The Romans also performed plastic cosmetic surgery. The Romans were able to perform simple

techniques, such as repairing damaged ears, from around. For religious reasons, they did not

dissect either human beings or animals, thus their knowledge was based in its entirety on the

texts of their Greek predecessors. Reconstructive surgery techniques were being carried out in

India by 800 BC. Sushruta was a physician that made important contributions to the field of

plastic and cataract surgery in 6th century BC. Up until the techniques of anesthesia became

established, surgeries involving healthy tissues involved great pain. Infection from surgery was

reduced by the introduction of sterile techniques and disinfectants. The invention and use of

antibiotics, beginning with sulfonamide and penicillin, was another step in making elective

surgery possible.

Statement of the Problem

This study deals with Cosmetics Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery.

More specifically, it tries to answer the following questions:

1. What is the difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery?

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2. What are their moral implications?

3. Which is morally acceptable?

Objectives of the Problem

This research report is written with the following objectives.

1. Gain a deeper understanding about both Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

2. Compare and contrast Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

3. Give their moral implications.

4. Answer the question, Which is morally acceptable?

Scope and Limitations

The study will only discuss the background of Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive

Surgery. Their positive and negative effects would be mentioned, however would not be

elaborated much further. The study focuses more on the moral aspects of both surgical methods.

Significance of the Problem

The study will be a significant endeavor in promoting information about Cosmetic and

Reconstructive Surgery considering the morality of both methods. This would also be beneficial

to the potential patients who are concerned with its moral impact in the Christian community. For
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the researchers, the study would help them uncover and broaden their understanding about the

ethical aspects in field of Plastic Surgery.

Definition of Terms

Augmentation. The process of making or becoming greater/bigger in size.

Cosmetics. It is a product applied to the body, to improve its appearance.

Reconstruction. It is from the word reconstruct which means to form something again

after it has been damaged or destroyed.

Surgery. It is the treatment for injuries and or disorders of the body by manipulation or

incision.

Vaginoplasty. A plastic surgery performed to either repair or create a vagina.

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Chapter 2

DISCUSSION

Cosmetic surgery and Reconstructive surgery are both under the broad range covered by

the term Plastic surgery. They both have something to do with the alteration of a persons

physical appearance. Many have mistaken them from being similar to each other when in fact

they are different from each other especially when it comes to the reasons of applying the

procedure.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal body structures, caused by

developmental abnormalities, trauma, congenital defects, diseases, infection, tumors or disease.

It aims to improve function and also to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive

surgery includes procedures such as breast reconstruction wherein women, even men, who have

health issues caused by abnormalities with their breasts. Another is the flap procedure. A Flap

procedure is performed to replace parts of the body affected by a disease or infection. Skin

cancer patients commonly undergo this procedure. Skin grafts are procedures done to damaged

skin that might have been wounded by a severe cut or burn. People suffering from carpal tunnel

syndrome also receive treatments. People with tumors and other maladies on their hands and feet

undergo reconstructive surgery. Lastly, people experiencing cleft lip and breathing problems such

as snoring and chronic infections undergo procedures to correct the facial defects.
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Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery, is performed to reshape normal body

structures so that the patients appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery covers a wide range

of diverse procedures. The top three procedures that are famous and commonly done is related to

the breast area. This procedures are Breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction. The top

four is the Facelift and Neck lift procedure, commonly requested by patients who begin to show

signs of aging wrinkles. Botox is another proposed solution to early signs of aging. Another

common procedure is the nose reshaping surgery. For people with weight problems, Liposuction

and tummy tuck is the most suited procedure. Even the genital areas make use of cosmetic

surgery. Examples of these procedures are Vaginoplasty and Penis enlargement surgery.

Both surgeries pose risks to the patient concerned. Hematoma is a pocket of blood that

resembles a painful bruise. This usually occurs after breast augmentation and facelift treatments.

Additional operations would have to be administered to drain the blood and avoid swelling.

Some patients also experience nerve after undergoing plastic surgery where they experience

tingling and numbness. An infection is most likely to occur that would make the operation much

more risky and more problematic. Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition wherein a blood clot

formed in the leg area breaks off and travels to lungs, causing Pulmonary Embolism. This may

be uncommon but fatal. Both surgeries could cause scarring that would be very troublesome to

most patients. People who undergo Liposuction are more susceptible to organ damage.

Liposuction can be very traumatic to our internal organs. They may get punctures and

perforations during the process. Additional operations would be again needed to cure these

complications. Perforations are fatal as well. The anesthesia used during surgeries could also

cause serious problems especially if the body responds to it differently. Stroke, lung infections,
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heart attacks can happen, or worse death. It is also an uncommon side effect that the patient

wakes up in the middle of surgery. Lastly blood loss can occur. Although blood loss is a given

during surgeries, too much blood loss can cause a drop in the patients blood pressure, and if not

prevented could cause death as well. People may experience other complications while

undergoing or after a surgery. Complications occur due to a patients reaction to a treatment.

Hence, the complication varies for each and every patient. Like for instance, people who are

obese, people with low immune systems and the elderly are more prone to complications than

healthy people.

Surgeons and Medical doctors are guided by the principles behind Medical Ethics.

Medical Ethics is a branch of ethics that deals with the moral issues in medical practice. It

focuses primarily on the issues that arise out of the practice of medicine. Ethical principles such

as respect for the patient is important in the physician-patient relationship. It stresses out the

limits of medical science particularly in regard to human rights, responsibilities, culture, freedom

and religion. Three of the abused principles of ethics are: respect for autonomy, beneficence,

non-maleficence, and justice. Respect for autonomy is solely based on a persons capability to

direct his/her life, to make decisions by himself/herself. In a medical procedure, the patient must

be fully aware and informed of all the possibilities during a medical surgery. He/She is given the

right to decide for himself/herself. Beneficence is the act done for the good of others wherein

you contribute to other peoples welfare. In this case, the doctor must act on the patients best

interest. They must not perform an operation if its only for personal gain. Non-maleficence

refers to the physicians obligation to not intentionally inflict harm on the patient. In some cases,

a doctor may refuse to operate on patients especially if the patients have unrealistic expectations
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and if he thinks the operation is not for the patients best interest. Lastly, Justice is the act of

treating others equally, distributing all benefits and burdens fairly. The principle requires

physicians to make these procedures available to all, disregarding gender, race and status. Access

to healthcare is a basic human right. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are only limited to

those who can afford it.

Enhancement versus treatment is the issue at hand. Just as mentioned, reconstructive

surgery aims to treat abnormalities caused by diseases, infections, etc. While the latter aims to

reshape and enhance the bodys structure. The Church has not officially released a statement

regarding the issue but some have suggested key points to remember before undergoing the

procedure. The first key point is the reason for the surgery; surgery performed with unwarranted

concern for appearance would only lead to sin of vanity, greed and pride. The procedure itself is

a key point to be considered. Just as mentioned, risks are taken during these situations. The

patient must be fully aware of the risks their taking. They would have to think if undergoing the

procedure is worth risking it. The Church thinks, it would only be reasonable to undergo these

procedures when one has a valid reason. Altering ones appearance, which was blessed to us by

God, just for the sake of cosmetics takes us away from the Churchs main focus; focus on God

and not on oneself.

To further study the moral implications of cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery

the different ethical systems can be used. Relativism, our conscience are the result of what our

culture has trained us to accept. In the Philippines, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery isnt
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really a major issue because there is just a few people who can afford it. This is the reason why it

seems to be right in the eyes of many people. Both are morally acceptable in our country but

people who have undergone cosmetic surgery is still often subject to criticisms. Having this

surgery wants to be kept as a secret as much as possible. The principle of secular humanism,

which involves judging the persons ability to enhance his/her human well-being and individual

responsibility, is violated by cosmetic surgery. Enhancing and altering are two different actions.

In cosmetic surgery, the purpose is not to enhance but to change a certain part of ones body for

self-vanity. While, the purpose of constructive surgery is purely to enhance or rehabilitate the

function of a certain body part which has developmental abnormalities or has been damaged by

accidents or diseases. Cosmetic surgery also violates the principle of Golden Mean under the

ethical system called virtue ethics. Golden Mean is defined as neither excess nor deficiency.

Having cosmetic surgery is an excess and not a deficiency simply because a person doesnt need

this, it is purely vanity, just a selfish desire to increase self-confidence. On the other hand, people

who have developmental abnormalities and those who had been through accidents, is

recommended to have reconstructive surgeries because they need this to function better as a

human being. While, both is accepted in the principle of Hedonism, which means that what

brings pleasure to an individual is good. As long as, cosmetic surgery or reconstructive surgery

brings pleasure to the person, then it is good based on this principle. The good is found in the

action itself and not based on its consequences or results from the principle of Deontology. On

the contrary, Teleological Ethics is concerned with the end-points or results of an action. If the

action itself is the concern, both cant be regarded as bad especially in the eyes of many people.

But, both can be questionable when it comes to the outcomes of the action. As to what is

discussed in the earlier parts of the discussion, both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery
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can bring risk to the life of the patients concerned. And when it comes to the principle of

Theonomous Ethics or the divine command, cosmetic surgery cant be accepted because it

violates the great commandments of God written in Mark 12:30-31Love the Lord your God

with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength and

the second is this love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.

How can someone love God without loving the blessings he is giving? The human body is a gift

from God and it shouldnt be changed just for the sake of ones vanity. And how can someone

love his neighbors without loving himself/herself? Cosmetic surgery doesnt show love of ones

self. Lastly, cosmetic surgery is not a way of fooling the Lord or other people, instead it is a way

of deceiving ones self.

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Chapter 3

CONCLUSION AND RECCOMENDATION

Conclusion

Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery are both under Plastic Surgery. Although

they may be considered as one thing, both procedures are different from one another, based on

their reasons of application. Reconstructive Surgery is done to improve the function or repair

ones body. While in Cosmetics Surgery, it is done to alternate or reshape normal body structures.

Both have negative and positive effects to the patients who underwent the treatment. The

researchers cannot directly imply that one is morally accepted while the other one is not. But the

researchers conclude that one is more morally acceptable than the other.

Recommendation

Although, the study mentioned numerous moral implications concerned with both

Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, future researchers are encouraged to do more
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research in order to broaden the understanding on the principles of these procedures as well as to

know which is morally acceptable or not. Future researchers are also advised to give more

examples of positive and negative effects caused by these procedures.

References

Bishop L. Principles- Respect, Justice, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence. Georgetown University:

Kennedy Institute of Ethics

Frederick D. et al. (2006). Interest in Cosmetic Surgery and Body Image: Views of Men and
Women across the Lifespan. University of Clifornia, Los Angeles: Department of
Psychology

Goering S. (2001). The Ethics of Making the Beautiful Body: Lessons from Cosmetic Surgery
for a Future of Cosmetic Genetics. Maryland Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy

Labow B. & Taghinia A. (2014). Reconstructive Surgery. New York: Springer Science +
Business Media

Williams J. (2015). Medical Ethics Manual 3rd Edition. UK: World Health Communication
Associates

Cosmetic Surgery https://oca.org/questions/society/cosmetic-surgery (May 14, 2016)

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Differences between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery

https://www.realself.com/article/differences-cosmetic-reconstructive-surgery (May 14, 2016)

Is Cosmetic Surgery Immoral? http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/march/18.56.html (May

14, 2016)

Reconstructive Surgery http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/reconstructive-surgery (May 14,

2016)

The 10 Most Common Plastic Surgery Complications http://www.healthline.com/health/most-

common-plastic-surgery-complications#1 (May 14, 2016)

The Ethics of Aesthetic Surgery http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890136/ (May

14, 2016)