Is cosmetic or plastic surgery helpful or harmful to an individual's mind and body? The two main branches of plastic surgery are reconstructive and cosmetic (“Plastic Surgery Addicts”). This is why the terms cosmetic and plastic are used interchangeably in the medical field. Some people may think that all surgical procedures are the same, although cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries are not the same. The difference is that reconstructive surgery is used to repair damaged body parts (Lee). Cosmetic surgery is used to remove, modify or rearrange tissues in the body (Lee). The word plastic does not actually refer to real plastic. “Plastic surgery” comes from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means to shape or mold (Olesen 10). The high stakes of cosmetic surgery, such as self-esteem issues, surgeon mistakes, risks and addictions, make me believe that it is not necessary. There is a one in 250,000 chance of dying going under the knife, but why risk going there? under the influence of cosmetic surgery? (Olesen 50).Plastic surgery is not a recent phenomenon. It has existed since 800 BC in India (“Cosmetics”). One of the punishments was to remove people's noses. Surgeons tried to repair them to the best of their ability. The war also played a significant role in plastic surgery. This operation was considered reconstructive surgery because the soldiers who performed it were usually seriously injured in combat. Cosmetic surgery became more modern and better known in the 1960s and 1970s (“Health Matters”). Cosmetic surgery will certainly expand its influence in the future as technology continues to improve. There are many reasons why patients have low self-esteem and assume...... middle of paper ...... y." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2010. Print. Matthews, Sarah . "Addicted to plastic surgery: the facts", May 29, 2009. Web, April 28, 2010. Mimon, Diana. Web. April 28, 2010. Olesen, R. Merrel and Marie BV Olesen. dummies: Wiley, 2005. Print. Pilcher, Georgia. This woman faked cancer to scam money for plastic surgery. April 28, 2010. “Plastic Surgery Addiction.” Breast-Plastic-Surgery.Org. January 5, 2008. Web. April 29, 2010. “Plastic Surgery Addicts.” Medical News Today. November 6, 2007. Web April 29, 2010. "Adolescents and cosmetic surgery." Issues and Controversies on File 9.22 (2004): 465-72. “What is cosmetic surgery? What is plastic surgery?” Medical News Today. June 30, 2009. Web. May 5. 2010.