We’ve all seen the pictures of public figures like Jocelyn Wildenstein and Michael Jackson regarding plastic surgery hype. These are the people used as examples of why we supposedly need limits in the area of ​​cosmetic surgery.

Their disfigured faces, destroyed by vanity and the compulsion to look a certain way, are there to remind us of all the dangers of excessive alterations.

But should some people who lack judgment when it comes to their bodies reflect on society as a whole? Should their decisions be accountable to the rest of the population?

Where does personal responsibility fit in?

There are many doctors and members of the public who believe that legal limits should be placed on the field of plastic surgery. That an arbitrary number should be written in medical books so that people don’t have a chance to overdo it by pinching and accommodating.

But what number will they choose? How do they know where that magic line is that will cause someone’s health and appearance to deteriorate due to cosmetic procedures? And should we allow these people to dictate to us what we can and cannot do with our bodies?

body problems

Our bodies are uniquely designed and respond to external factors in different ways. For example:

Some people struggle with weight and have to watch everything they eat, while others may regularly overindulge and never show negative side effects from this type of consumption.

Of course, there are also people who choose to overindulge even though the effects of eating poorly are clearly detrimental to their health.

Does that mean we should put limits on food because there are people who choose to ignore their own safety?

The reality is that our bodies must be treated as the individual entities that they are. Decisions regarding what our figures can and cannot support should come from a discussion between the person involved and their personal care physician.

As with many other things in life, there is no hard and fast rule for determining how much cosmetic surgery a person can afford. Some people can have ten procedures and never show any negative signs that a job has been done. Should that person be limited in their choice because someone else’s body can’t handle the same thing?

personal freedom

One of the best things about living in a democratic nation is the personal freedom to make decisions based on our personal belief systems. Does that mean that everyone makes responsible decisions all the time? Of course not. But the freedom to choose is an important thing. Do you really want governments to dictate what they consider acceptable for your body?

If someone like Jocelyn Wildenstein wants to spend $4 million on plastic surgery to look like a cat, why shouldn’t she? It’s her body and her money. Nobody else has to look in the mirror and see her face, so why do we judge?

There are many statistics in this world that people can use to justify limitations on anything we choose to do. There are certain people who always want to impose restrictions based on personal prejudices or moral judgments.

The fact is that when it comes to cosmetic surgery, we are talking about our bodies. Many people experience profoundly positive results and a sea change in self-esteem after undergoing cosmetic surgery. It is a deeply personal choice and one that must remain personal.

Discussions about cosmetic procedures clearly should remain in the doctor’s office.