Why Is Plastic Surgery Considered Cheating?

Most people think nothing of coloring their hair, wearing makeup every day, or whitening their teeth. However, when it comes to plastic surgery, a lot of folks consider it to be an “unfair” shortcut to change your appearance. So why the double standard? Why are some of the things we do considered legitimate forms of self-improvement, while others are taboo?

Take liposuction as an example. Some argue that changing one’s diet or exercising is the only legitimate way to lose unwanted fat. They believe liposuction is “cheating” because it’s taking a shortcut to get the body that you want. This is due, in large part, to many misconceptions about the procedure and its results. Whichever way you spin it, this topic begs the question: What’s the difference between a cosmetic enhancement procedure like liposuction and other widely accepted cosmetic treatments?

Real Questions From RealSelf

On RealSelf (a large and reputable online forum where people go to learn about plastic or cosmetic surgery, among other things) this question was posed by one user:

“I feel like liposuction is cheating, but it would be nice to throw away my control top underwear and not feel like I constantly have to suck in my stomach. Am I crazy to think of liposuction as cheating?”

An overwhelming majority responded to this question in a very similar manner—liposuction isn’t cheating. While most agree that liposuction is not a weight loss solution, the treatment received an 81% “Worth It” rating from more than 1,500 real patients who are members of the RealSelf community.

First, the Facts

A common misconception about liposuction is that it’s a quick fix to a weight problem—a get thin quick solution. It’s not. It’s really intended to help reshape and reduce discrete problem areas for someone close to or at their ideal weight. According to the website of Dr. Richard D’Amico, a nationally recognized, board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey who specializes in liposuction, “ideal liposuction candidates are healthy men and women who have a localized collection of fat that remains despite good diet and regular exercise.”

Because it is not a substitute for diet or exercise, a patient will have to do all of the hard work on his or her own. Liposuction is perfect for targeting stubborn pockets of fat, disproportionate to one’s body, that don’t seem to budge no matter how much diet or exercise a person incorporates into his or her lifestyle. More or less, when all other options are exhausted, liposuction may be the best, or only, option left.

So You Still Think You Qualify for Lipo?

Schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. The only way to know if this is right for you is to meet face to face with an expert. A qualified surgeon will turn you away if it’s obvious you just want to lose weight and haven’t done your part. The surgeon will also take into consideration various factors that can contribute to the need for liposuction.

So Is It Cheating?

The bottom line: You’re the one who’s going to have to make that judgment call. From this writer’s perspective, it’s no more cheating than coloring your hair to cover the gray or getting braces to straighten your teeth. It’s your body, and your decision as to how you choose to maintain or enhance your appearance.