Search - Plastic Disasters on DVD

A scary look at cosmetic surgery

Kyle Tolle | Phoenix, Arizona USA | 05/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Plastic surgery had a rather humble beginning in the early 1900's for what was the right reasons back then. After World War I, many soldiers had facial disfigurements from projectiles hitting them as a result of trench warfare. These surgeries were performed to make repairs, save the soldiers from embarrassment and shame, and to help them continue on with normal lives.

Fast forward to the late 1970's and beyond. Following the introduction of breast implants, plastic surgery became big business with a way to make big money. Gone were the days where most procedures were done for purely health reasons such as correcting serious defects. Nowadays it is performed largely for reasons of vanity. With this in mind, it begs the questions whether it is safe or not and is it really that important?

This program examines 3 people who have had cosmetic surgery procedures that have all ended up causing unhealthy, dangerous, and disfiguring results. The first is Lucille who had collagen injections followed by a face lift and rhinoplasty (nose reshaping). One year after these procedures, her appearance left her looking 20 years older and she had problems breathing and swallowing. She had a second facelift to correct this which exacerbated her problems. Next is Mona who had a liposuction procedure where her doctor punctured her intestine and caused a massive infection in her abdomen. She was bedridden for so long after this that she suffered from bedsores and collapsed veins in her legs which ultimately led to her having both of her legs amputated. And the last is Tony. He had an unsuccessful rhinoplasty procedure followed by revision surgery. This didn't work so he had a third surgery where a doctor incorrectly placed a silicon implant into his nose. This didn't take either and after a fourth procedure, he was having breathing problems and other ailments.

These are not isolated incidents. An attorney and a plastic surgeon offer testimony that some cosmetic surgery centers have had to shut down because they are selling `2 for 1's' (a tummy tuck and liposuction) and people have died from this. Even scarier than this is the fact that some physicians out there calling themselves cosmetic surgeons are not even basic surgeons at all. This is a nationwide dilemma. With this being such a big money business, many untrained people are scrambling to get in on the act. What hurts even more is that cosmetic surgery is an unregulated industry and people are being preyed upon by many who are looking to get rich quick. Over 9,000,000 cosmetic procedures are performed in the U.S. every year and the total number of medical complications is not a matter of public record.

`Plastic Disasters' is a sobering and sometimes unpleasant look at horrible consequences of cosmetic surgery that went very wrong. It can also be interpreted as a warning of sorts for those wishing to have these elective procedures performed. Some graphic photographs and video footage are shown at various times but it is not excessive in any way. I believe this documentary was tastefully done and provides an important and meaningful health message.

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Great for Speeches

Sarah Colmer | Colona, IL | 11/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I did a persuasive speech against plastic surgery for school and this video really helped show my classmates what real imacts plastic surgery has on a persons life and gave them a different view on it.
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