Cosmetic surgery: The world's five most surprising fashions

Pre discussion questions

Would you get cosmetic surgery? Why or why not?

Do you know someone who has had cosmetic surgery? What did they change?

Cosmetic surgery is now about beauty not for health problems. The multi-billion dollar industry is how advertising on all television stations and subways. Many nations now know how important cosmetic surgery is for bringing in tourists. And this is because it brings a lot of money into a country.

Cosmetic surgery has now improved tremendously over the past 30 years.  In the past people died from cosmetic surgery. But now many of the problems have disappeared. And some countries are now popular places to visit because cosmetic surgery is cheap.

Some places such as Dubai, Thailand, South Korea, Mauritius, India, and also Iran are popular places to visit for cosmetic surgery. In the US, the most popular cosmetic surgery is the "mommy makeover.” This means surgery such as reducing stomach size, bigger breasts and reducing fat. These are to return women back to the bodies they had before they had babies.

1. Arm and leg lengthening in India

To be able to find a better marriage partner Indians are trying to be taller. Increasing leg length is on the rise in India and can increase someone’s height by as much as 7.5 centimeters.

The way to do this has been adapted from ways that plastic and orthopedic surgeons use when someone has had a big problem or children who can’t grow. Legs and arms can be made longer using pins and a special frame. The frame is slowly adjusted as a person’s leg or arm gets longer. They do this by breaking the leg or arm and then putting more bone in to make the arm or leg longer.

In India this medical action is not government controlled. This is one of the most difficult cosmetic surgeries to do. And doctors are doing it only after they have been a qualified doctor for only one or two months. This might even be a doctor who is experimenting and learning. There are no colleges, no proper training, nothing.

And this is because people can be easily persuaded to do this without thinking about the dangers.

South Korea

Cosmetic surgery in South Korea is booming. Surgery is cheap, efficient, and the hospitals are excellent. These hospitals now cater for the global medical tourism market. This tourism market is big business for Korea’s GDP.

South Korea has the most cosmetic surgery in the world. Now it is known as the global capital for cosmetic surgery. Face surgery is widespread and used to create more V-shaped chins, smaller noses and change eye shapes. Cosmetic surgery in South Korea is popular for both Korean and foreign patients.

Brazil: bum, stomach and breasts

Brazil was the second biggest place for cosmetic surgery in the world in 2014. Most of the surgery is for "improvements" to breasts, stomach and buttocks.

Iran: nose

Cosmetic surgery is increasing in Iran.  

Iran is a conservative country so women can’t show too much of their bodies. So one way to enhance beauty is to improve the face. More than 60% of surgeries in Iran are for the nose. The bandages on noses after surgery can now be seen everywhere in Iran.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=5, B=1, C=8, D=4, E=2, F=7, G=6, H=3

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. The number of people drinking coffee now has increased tremendously.

2. The movie’s popularity is on the rise.

3. Korean food has been adapted for western people by being less spicy.

4. She persuaded her son to study hard by promising a reward of a new computer.

5. Yoga classes are booming, it seems every corner has a yoga studio.

6. Shops open longer to cater for the big increase in tourists this year.

7. Be careful, the flu is widespread this year.

8. You can enhance your chances to get a job by being very well prepared.

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. How has cosmetic surgery improved tremendously?

2. Do you think cosmetic surgery will continue to be on the rise in the future? Why or why not?

3. Why do people in Korea want to adapt their noses to be higher?

4. What would persuade you to have cosmetic surgery? Should we persuade our son or daughter to have cosmetic surgery?

5. Is cosmetic surgery in all parts of Korea booming? Or is it only in the city?

6. Which places in Korea cater the most for cosmetic surgery? Why?

7. Why has cosmetic surgery become widespread? What other fashions are widespread?

8. What part of your face or body would you like to enhance? Why?