A new cosmetic surgery show due to be hosted on Channel 4 has come under fire for exploitation. The show, which sees a panel vote on whether participants should undergo cosmetic surgery, is being dubbed by MPs as “tawdry and exploitative”.
Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4, alongside its chairman, Charles Gurassa, were both questioned by the Commons culture select committee. They asked whether the broadcaster had forgotten its responsibilities to the public in favour of titillating and voyeuristic viewing.
Why is the Surjury show is causing controversy?
The new show, dubbed Sujury, is due to be aired on Channel 4 sometime in 2020. There is set to be 12 jury members who will vote on whether members of the public who applied to the show could use the procedure they are considering. These jury members are made up of both experts and peers.
The reason the show has come under fire is that it is taking people who already have low self-esteem, and potentially encouraging them to undergo a serious surgical procedure. This could in fact make their self-esteem issues even worse.
Channel 4’s chief executive, Mahon, claims the show is helping to raise awareness of an important issue. He claims it isn’t intended to be a tawdry program. Instead, it is there to highlight the issue of how common cosmetic surgery is today. However, this hasn’t done anything to diminish the controversy surrounding the program.
Trivialising cosmetic surgery
The main concern is that Surjury is going to trivialise serious surgical procedures. A responsible cosmetic surgeon will always evaluate their patient’s expectations and reasons for surgery and will advise the patient that cosmetic surgery is not appropriate at this time.
It is important for patients to be aware of how life-changing cosmetic surgery can be. The majority, especially invasive procedures, cannot be reversed. This means without fully understanding the procedure and its risks, patients could end up regretting their decision to go under the knife. Cosmetic surgery of any kind is a big deal and it should never be rushed into.
The importance of cosmetic surgery preparation
Patients who are considering undergoing a cosmetic procedure are advised to review the guidelines provided by the BAAPS. The first guideline laid out by the professional body is to ensure it is you who is making the decision, nobody else. They also recommend doing as much research as you can into the procedure before deciding whether or not it’s right for you.
Equally important, is booking a consultation with an experienced and appropriately qualified plastic surgeon prior to undergoing the procedure as they will be able to fully explain all the potential risks and complications, as well as discussing what can be achieved.
Overall, cosmetic surgery is a big deal and it does require a lot of research and preparation before you decide whether or not to go under the knife. To arrange a consultation with Mr Nigel Horlock to discuss any procedure in more depth, call 02380 764969.
