I Search Student Sample - CIBACS

Sample 4
as my ethnic identity. Would my decision now, in favor of cosmetic surgery, offend my sense of
identity and stigmatize me as an inferior person who’s complying with other people’s aesthetic
criteria! One friend, who thinks my nose is “distinct,” does not favor unnecessary cosmetic
surgery. He argues Asian girls who have operations on their eyes to make them look bigger and
“rounder” are only deceiving themselves. And black women who straighten their air are
admitting a sense of inferiority.
I think, if that is the case, then we should question the validity of our use of makeup, our
interest in fashions or hairstyles, and anything we do that may change our very natural
appearance. But in so doing, would we be denying every culture part of its aesthetic aspect, its
standards of beauty? And would we also be denying human beings the right to share their
aesthetic standards? Certainly, undergoing cosmetic surgery shouldn’t require or be accompanied
by any special apologies; it should be accepted as a means to improve and individual’s
appearance when she/he has the choice. Nevertheless, when it comes to cosmetic surgery, there
is a great deal of risk, and one should take into consideration the possibilities of an unsuccessful
surgery, the potential hazards associated with the surgical procedure. Accordingly, I started my
search for reliable and factual information, even though I was still ambivalent about surgery.
II. The Search
Dr. Michael J. Watanabe, a plastic surgeon at Saddleback Medical Center, recommended
that I start my inquiry by reading his group’s medical publications, which answer the most
frequently asked questions about nasal surgery. He also recommended that I plan on a
consolation visit whereby an appraisal for my case would be specific and personal.