Plastic Surgery

[Lea101]

Is it wrong if

-you changed your nose/eyes/lips/etc because you simply don’t like how you look with them

-you changed your features because of something you were born with (for example, a droopy eyelid)

-you got a boob job (reduction or enhancement)

-you had botox done to get rid of wrinkles

My protestant friend (a nice guy I’ll admit) says it’s sinful for all 4 (second being that god gave you those eyes, you should not change it). He also said we catholics believe that too, however I thought that the Church is okay with surgery? I tried doing research but there’s a range of answers.

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum xx

 

[Used2beSherryG]

Good question. I personally have always believed it is wrong to get purely cosmetic surgery unless there is a true medical need for it. I.E. if you had cancer and the surgery mutilated you and plastic surgery could correct or lessen the effect. Getting plastic surgery for purely narcissistic reasons is wrong on several levels. Self worship, or self mutilation of the body that God gave us is very shallow. This is not what God wants from us. Let’s see if the CCC can shed any light on this…

 

[Usige]

It depends on the motivation. If it is just to look good (versus correcting a fault or damage from illness) then it could be the sin of pride or vanity. It can show an inordinate attachment to our material appearance (vanity). For me it’s a little like saying God didn’t know what he was doing so I’m going to make myself better than he envisioned (pride).

 

[Jeanne_S]

Good question. I personally have always believed it is wrong to get purely cosmetic surgery unless there is a true medical need for it. I.E. if you had cancer and the surgery mutilated you and plastic surgery could correct or lessen the effect. Getting plastic surgery for purely narcissistic reasons is wrong on several levels. Self worship, or self mutilation of the body that God gave us is very shallow. This is not what God wants from us. Let’s see if the CCC can shed any light on this…

I agree with this.

 

[Usige]

This is not what God wants from us. Let’s see if the CCC can shed any light on this…

The catechism doesn’t really have anything to say about cosmetic surgery. The most relevant things I can see is in 2289, where the Catechism says morality rejects a “notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for its sake, to idolize physical perfection…” It is actually in reference to maintaining the body and seeking perfection in sports, but it could be applied to any goal of trying to achieve physical perfection.

That being said I believe both Pope Pius XII and St John Paul II praised cosmetic surgeons for their ability to restore smiles to those who were dejected by their appearance. One I seemed to remember (JPII I think) said that the surgeons were true artist. Pius XII did caution against surgery for vanity or fashion just before he died. He also said it was unlawful to do so to enhance seduction or to temp others to sin.

 

[Trident_H]

I think it’s Ok sometimes. I mean if a person’s born with a sickness we cure it. If it’s a physical defect that sets them apart and isn’t a big deal we fix it (cleft pallet comes to mind or a kid being pigeon-toed).

I guess while I think God uses our problems to help us, I don’t think He’s got some really special plan that will only work if we walk the earth with 3 extra fingers. I think God’s a lot more flexible than that.

But yeah. So long as a girl’s not trying to pull a Meg Ryan or something.

But then a guy could argue in that case she went from normal to deformed. So maybe that was God’s plan for her anyway?

 

[Jeanne_S]

The catechism doesn’t really have anything to say about cosmetic surgery. The most relevant things I can see is in 2289, where the Catechism says morality rejects a “notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for its sake, to idolize physical perfection…” It is actually in reference to maintaining the body and seeking perfection in sports, but it could be applied to any goal of trying to achieve physical perfection.

That being said I believe both Pope Pius XII and St John Paul II praised cosmetic surgeons for their ability to restore smiles to those who were dejected by their appearance. One I seemed to remember (JPII I think) said that the surgeons were true artist. Pius XII did caution against surgery for vanity or fashion just before he died. He also said it was unlawful to do so to enhance seduction or to temp others to sin.

Plastic surgery when used for the reasons you mention is a good thing.Beyond that,it does become a point of vanity.Additionally,I feel that all the injections that so many women and men get caught up in are also vain.Why not embrace ones’ age and the changes that come?.
A lot can be done to thwart the effects of aging by good nutrition and exercise and eye cream and facial lotion.

 

[DeniseNY]

Plastic surgery when used for the reasons you mention is a good thing.Beyond that,it does become a point of vanity.Additionally,I feel that all the injections that so many women and men get caught up in are also vain.Why not embrace ones’ age and the changes that come?.
A lot can be done to thwart the effects of aging by good nutrition and exercise and eye cream and facial lotion.

The most important thing a person can do to keep their skin young(er) looking is to use sunscreen of at least SPF30 every day!

 

[Mary_Estelle]

For a droopy eyelid it seems Ok to me as it may interfere with vision now or later. For the rest of the reasons I vote no unless it is to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or an injury to becomes a focal point to others. Save your money and do something good with it. Peace.

 

[Jeanne_S]

For a droopy eyelid it seems Ok to me as it may interfere with vision now or later. For the rest of the reasons I vote no unless it is to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or an injury to becomes a focal point to others. Save your money and do something good with it. Peace.

Yes,this is true.Medicare will cover this type of plastic surgery .

 

[misspriss]

For a droopy eyelid it seems Ok to me as it may interfere with vision now or later. For the rest of the reasons I vote no unless it is to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or an injury to becomes a focal point to others. Save your money and do something good with it. Peace.

Breast reductions are done for medical reasons, usually not cosmetic. If they did not interfere with breastfeeding so much, I would be petitioning my insurance company to pay for one right now. I have back and neck pain, noticeable (2 cups sizes) asymmetry, and I have to order my undergarments from overseas and hope they fit because nothing is made in the US in my size, and all that it and they only fit one side!

It would also make it significantly easier for me to NOT draw attention to my chest, which I think most people agree is a good thing. I certainly don’t want them attracting anyone’s attention. I guess that would be the opposite of “enhancing seduction” or “attracting attention”…

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Breast reductions are done for medical reasons, usually not cosmetic. If they did not interfere with breastfeeding so much, I would be petitioning my insurance company to pay for one right now. I have back and neck pain, noticeable (2 cups sizes) asymmetry, and I have to order my undergarments from overseas and hope they fit because nothing is made in the US in my size, and all that it and they only fit one side!

It would also make it significantly easier for me to NOT draw attention to my chest, which I think most people agree is a good thing. I certainly don’t want them attracting anyone’s attention. I guess that would be the opposite of “enhancing seduction” or “attracting attention”…

Your need would be in a different category and does result to health and welfare, not to the general vanity references that the org. poster was alluding to. If this is a procedure you need, than by all means consult your Dr. No one here wants you forgo a necessary procedure. Peace and prayer.

 

[misspriss]

Your need would be in a different category and does result to health and welfare, not to the general vanity references that the org. poster was alluding to. If this is a procedure you need, than by all means consult your Dr. No one here wants you forgo a necessary procedure. Peace and prayer.

Actually, the OP is quoted below. It doesn’t say anything about vanity reasons for breast reduction. I suppose if you read those procedures as only being for vanity, that is on you. But the OP specifically lists breast reduction, and never says “just for vanity reasons”, except for about changing your nose/eyes/lips, not about your breasts.

I don’t take medical advice from these forums, so do not worry. I am forgoing a necessary procedure because of the risks and side effects of the procedure, not because I feel it is immoral. I am a big proponent of exclusive and extended breastfeeding, and it is “unknown” if you would be able to produce enough milk with the removal of breast tissue, cutting of ducts, and scar tissue involved in the reduction process. Therefore, as long as I have small nursing children, or MIGHT have more children, I will not be able to have the procedure.

Is it wrong if

-you changed your nose/eyes/lips/etc because you simply don’t like how you look with them

-you changed your features because of something you were born with (for example, a droopy eyelid)

-you got a boob job (reduction or enhancement)

-you had botox done to get rid of wrinkles

My protestant friend (a nice guy I’ll admit) says it’s sinful for all 4 (second being that god gave you those eyes, you should not change it). He also said we catholics believe that too, however I thought that the Church is okay with surgery? I tried doing research but there’s a range of answers.

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum xx

 

[Lea101]

For a droopy eyelid it seems Ok to me as it may interfere with vision now or later. For the rest of the reasons I vote no unless it is to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy or an injury to becomes a focal point to others. Save your money and do something good with it. Peace.

The droopy eyelid example is actually about me. It doesn’t affect my vision or anything. It’s not a normal feature and lets say if I got surgery for it- it’s not for health reasons but because it makes me look uglier or something. Is that vanity?

How does one define vanity anyway, in the church? Everyone seems to have different definitions

 

[Lea101]

Plastic surgery when used for the reasons you mention is a good thing.Beyond that,it does become a point of vanity.Additionally,I feel that all the injections that so many women and men get caught up in are also vain.Why not embrace ones’ age and the changes that come?.
A lot can be done to thwart the effects of aging by good nutrition and exercise and eye cream and facial lotion.

But honestly when does that become a point of vanity? I’m sure everyone who wants/has gone through plastic surgery hates certain features (hence dejected about their looks). And they’re not considered vain, so in what instances is it vain? This is so confusing help

 

[Jeanne_S]

But honestly when does that become a point of vanity? I’m sure everyone who wants/has gone through plastic surgery hates certain features (hence dejected about their looks). And they’re not considered vain, so in what instances is it vain? This is so confusing help

IMO it becomes a point of vanity when a person continues to tweak their appearance,say with face lifts,Botox injections,cheek implants,those types procedures.If one has an exceedingly large nose or prominent chin or ears that stick out and chooses to have those features modified through surgery,I don’t consider that excessive.I am speaking more to the issue of women who become virtually u recognizable due to the overuse of plastic surgery.

 

[Elena321]

I don’t think everyone who gets plastic surgery is vain.
It’s a personal decision but it’s not a decision to take lightly.
There have been instances when people/teenagers would have commited suicide from bullying/low self esteem if they didn’t have the surgery.

I think when so called celebrities get plastic surgery who are already good looking then it is vanity or seeking even greater perfection and this is bad because it makes society beauty obsessed/worshipping beautiful people and valueing unattractive people as worth lesser.

I don’t think it’s the vanity or anything wrong with a person choosing to have a facelift or dermal fillers if they have received excessive premature ageing and their face has become very sagging or deflated. In this instance the goal is to become healthy looking like they used to look and to look a healthy version for their age and isn’t for vanity.

Some people who are against surgery state people should just focus on exercise eating healthy and drinking water.
That’s true for preventative measures, but these things will not fix things such as sagging cheeks or drooping or misshapen eyelids.

I don’t think that we can say that plastic surgery is okay or not okay according by which procedure.Ie: someone stated that a nose job or pinning back ears was ok but facelift wasn’t.
The person whose face has sagged dramatically might be just as much psychologically affected as the person with a large hooked nose.
I think it all depends on the person’s reasons and being levelheaded.

Anyone who is totally against cosmetic surgery should also be against using make up,dying hair or anything else that is used for beautification purposes such as shaving legs/armpits for attractiveness sake instead of purely for hygiene sake.
If they are strongly against cosmetic surgery but do any of the above things then they are being hypocritical and their reasoning is flawed because dying your hair could be seen to be just as much “trying to improve on Gods creation” as cosmetic surgery is.

Nobody has to have cosmetic surgery, but at the same time they shouldn’t be judgemental of people who do.

 

[Jeanne_S]

I don’t think everyone who gets plastic surgery is vain.
It’s a personal decision but it’s not a decision to take lightly.
There have been instances when people/teenagers would have commited suicide from bullying/low self esteem if they didn’t have the surgery.

I think when so called celebrities get plastic surgery who are already good looking then it is vanity or seeking even greater perfection and this is bad because it makes society beauty obsessed/worshipping beautiful people and valueing unattractive people as worth lesser.

I don’t think it’s the vanity or anything wrong with a person choosing to have a facelift or dermal fillers if they have received excessive premature ageing and their face has become very sagging or deflated. In this instance the goal is to become healthy looking like they used to look and to look a healthy version for their age and isn’t for vanity.

Some people who are against surgery state people should just focus on exercise eating healthy and drinking water.
That’s true for preventative measures, but these things will not fix things such as sagging cheeks or drooping or misshapen eyelids.

I don’t think that we can say that plastic surgery is okay or not okay according by which procedure.Ie: someone stated that a nose job or pinning back ears was ok but facelift wasn’t.
The person whose face has sagged dramatically might be just as much psychologically affected as the person with a large hooked nose.
I think it all depends on the person’s reasons and being levelheaded.

Anyone who is totally against cosmetic surgery should also be against using make up,dying hair or anything else that is used for beautification purposes such as shaving legs/armpits for attractiveness sake instead of purely for hygiene sake.
If they are strongly against cosmetic surgery but do any of the above things then they are being hypocritical and their reasoning is flawed because dying your hair could be seen to be just as much “trying to improve on Gods creation” as cosmetic surgery is.

Nobody has to have cosmetic surgery, but at the same time they shouldn’t be judgemental of people who do.

I don’t completely agree. I color my hair,use makeup and am very careful with my appearance.So I may be vain to a certain extent.However,cosmetic surgery ,personally is where I draw the line.Undergoing surgery and it’s potential risks,just in an effort to look a few years younger,is foolish and vain. That is the point I am making.