Cosmetic surgery - SI?
 

On friday my school had the author Melvin Burgess come in and talk to us for an hour.
He was talking about one of his books (Sara's Face) and started making links between self harm and cosmetic surgery. He quoted one of the characters as saying:
"I made myself look as ugly on the outisde as I am on the inside".
This got me to thinking that he might have a point, does anyone else agree that cosmetic surgery in a way could be seen as SI?

Depends what plastic surgery is intended for. Generally people get plastic surgery to "perfect" themselves, enhance, reduce, alter, whatever. I think what the guy was talking about was an isloated example of why someone might undergo surgery. But then, there are different reasons for why people self harm as well. Granted some people would see plastic surgery as harming yourself because of what is done to you, how you're scarring yourself on the inside by changing your natural look or whatever. But to be honest, I see no link.

I don't think so, plastic surgery generally enhances the appearance. If anyone knows of a form of SI that does this, please tell me, I'd love to know about it!

it can be if you abuse it.

I don't see cosmetic surgery as self-harm. As self-harm i think is deliberately hurting yourself whereas cosmetic surgery is generally to better your appearence.

I don't see cosmetic surgery as self harm if used in the way it's intented too but of course some people may abuse this and use cosmetic surgery to harm themselves in which case, yes, it could be self harm. Generally speaking I don't think so though

When my psychologist was talking to me about my hopefully upcoming operation, she was saying the worries she may have had about me. One of which is using the surgery as a way to self harm in sorts. Doing it for the pain afterwards. I myself am not doing it for that reason but it made me realise that people might have it done for that.

I've never thought about it before. But thats exactly what it is!!!

Sorry for this bit which you may not want to read

SI is a form of coping through replacing emotional pain wit physical pain, etc (with other causes). Cosmetic surgery is just a way of getting rid of that emotional pain, which they se themselves as 'imperfect' and not 'adequet'. Thus, cosmetic surgery is SH in another wrapper!!! (which people pay for)

But your not doing it to yourself, someone else is. Surely it's just making the physical look better to help improve the emotional? Plus, you're not hurting yourself either, you're changing yourself. It's not self harm at all.

Ohh its complicated, SI is defined by you harming yourself, and I dont think any plastic surgeon would give a proceedure legally knowing it would harm someone and not give them anything back.

I guess its possible some people abuse surgery, but I cant imagine people would pay for what they can easily something to harm themself with for a lot cheaper. >.>

I completely believe cosmetic surgery IS form of self harm, I hate it when people say its not...
I believe its the same as tattoos and piercings.
any type of body modification is self harm because because of the satisfactions you get from it.
x

^

(Y) -thats what i was unsuccessfully trying to say :D

I suppose it could be used in that way if someone wanted it to be, but generally people try to perfect themselves with it, so no.

But with tattoos, piercings & cosmetic surgery, it's often to make yourself look better or give yourself a reward.. Surely the majority of the time, that's not what we're doing when we self injure..?