What Is Aesthetic Surgery, Anyway?

Abstract

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.”1 Perhaps the definition of aesthetic surgery has always been somewhat subjective, but I believe that lately it has become more so. At one extreme are those who might argue that almost any operation accomplished in a manner that avoids disfigurement or distortion and minimizes visible signs of surgical intervention could be labeled “aesthetic.” According to this standard, a hysterectomy producing a well-placed, symmetrical, and minimally-distracting scar could be considered an example of aesthetic surgery. I imagine that virtually all readers of this journal would disagree! Although many types of surgery have an aesthetic component and can produce either a more or a less aesthetically-pleasing result, it seems obvious this does not necessarily qualify them as aesthetic surgery. I have always maintained that any operation on the female breast is an aesthetic procedure and, with the exception of breast reduction (which actually treats symptoms), all of our other efforts are aimed at restoring self-image, self-esteem, and confidence. We could even argue that any operation on the face and nose similarly falls under the category of aesthetic surgery. We always judge our results in breast, face, and nasal reconstruction as much, if not more, on the aesthetic quality than any functional restoration. The finer line, and undoubtedly the line most apt to be blurred, is the difference between aesthetic …