Difference between revisions of "Question: Is the fact that Salt Lake City has many plastic surgeons indicative of Mormon vanity and concern with appearance?"

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{{Resource Title|Why does Salt Lake City have so many plastic surgeons?}}
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{{Epigraph|In terms of preoccupation with self and a fixation on the physical, this is more than social insanity; it is spiritually destructive, and it accounts for much of the unhappiness women, including young women, face in the modern world. And if adults are preoccupied with appearance—tucking and nipping and implanting and remodeling everything that can be remodeled—those pressures and anxieties will certainly seep through to children. At some point the problem becomes what the Book of Mormon called “vain imaginations.” And in secular society both vanity and imagination run wild. One would truly need a great and spacious makeup kit to compete with beauty as portrayed in media all around us. (Jeffrey R. Holland, October 2005, ''To Young Women''<ref>https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/to-young-women?lang=eng)</ref>}}
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==Question: Is the fact that Salt Lake City has many plastic surgeons indicative of Mormon vanity and concern with appearance?==
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== ==
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===Obtaining plastic surgery can be done for both good and bad reasons. It is an oversimplification to associate plastic surgery with vanity===
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{{Criticism label}}
 
  
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*Why does Salt Lake City have so many plastic surgeons? While New York City has 4 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people, Salt Lake City has 6 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html</ref>
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Why does Salt Lake City have so many plastic surgeons? While New York City has 4 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people, Salt Lake City has 6 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people.<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html</ref> It is claimed that these statistics imply that Mormon's have a vanity problem.
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*It is claimed that these statistics imply that Mormon's have a vanity problem.
 
  
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== ==
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Obtaining plastic surgery can be done for both good and bad reasons. It is an oversimplification to associate plastic surgery with vanity.
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{{Conclusion label}}
 
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*Critics usually neglect to acknowledge that plastic surgery in general is on the rise. This is an issue that applies to everyone. It is also important that we acknowledge that the University of Utah, which is in Salt Lake City, has a successful medical program, which includes plastic surgery.
 
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== ==
 
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{{Response label}}
 
  
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==Reasons for the large number of plastic surgeons==
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===Reasons for the large number of plastic surgeons===
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Forbes, the publisher of the article entitled "America's Vainest Cities", explains why some cities have such a high number of plastic surgeons:
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Forbes, the publisher of the article entitled "America's Vainest Cities", explained one reason why some cities have such a high number of plastic surgeons:
  
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:"Unexpected entries like Salt Lake City, Nashville and Louisville might rise to the top, given smaller populations and medical or university programs and centers that focus on plastic surgery. An influx of younger, more affluent residents into the smaller cities may also account for the rising number of plastic surgeons."<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html</ref>
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<blockquote>
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"Unexpected entries like Salt Lake City, Nashville and Louisville might rise to the top, given smaller populations and medical or university programs and centers that focus on plastic surgery. An influx of younger, more affluent residents into the smaller cities may also account for the rising number of plastic surgeons."<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html</ref>
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</blockquote>
  
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The University of Utah has a very successful medical program, which probably contributes to the large number of plastic surgeons. Utah also has a lower surgery costs when compared to surrounding states.<ref>http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17790344</ref>
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The University of Utah has a very successful medical program, which may contribute to the large number of plastic surgeons in SLC.<ref>http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17790344</ref>
  
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==Proves that Mormons are vain?==
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It is also interesting to note that plastic surgery costs a lot less in Utah than it does in the surrounding states. It's possible that the prices have been driven down due to a lack of business in the state.
  
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General Authorities have repeatedly pleaded with LDS women to not become too obsessed with their appearance. However, there is no official LDS stance on plastic surgery. Ultimately, this is a decision that is left up to the individual.
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===Statistical claims regarding Utah cannot necessarily be applied to Mormons in general. Utah is only a little over 60% Mormon===
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It needs to be pointed out that there is no official LDS stance on plastic surgery. Ultimately, this is a decision that is left up to the individual.
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Statistical claims regarding Utah cannot necessarily be applied to Mormons in general. Utah is only a little over 60% Mormon.<ref>http://www.sltrib.com/53909710-200/population-lds-county-utah.html</ref>
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Merriam-Webster defines vanity as "The quality of people who have too much pride in their own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc."<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanity</ref> If plastic surgery is used for prideful reasons, or for the purpose of elevating oneself above others, than this is a vain use of the surgery. On the flip side, plastic surgery could be a legitimate way of taking care of ones body.
  
 
A KSL article that interviewed Dr. Brian Brzowski, a non-LDS plastic surgeon that practices in Ogden, Utah, provides some interesting insight into Mormon culture and plastic surgery:
 
A KSL article that interviewed Dr. Brian Brzowski, a non-LDS plastic surgeon that practices in Ogden, Utah, provides some interesting insight into Mormon culture and plastic surgery:
  
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:'"Brzowski said the higher birth rate in Utah also contributes to the number of cosmetic procedures done here. Utah has the highest birth rate in the United States, as of the latest figures from 2008, according to Statehealthfacts.org, run by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
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“The people here aren’t doing it for vanity; they’re doing it in their minds to restore things, almost to the extent that it’s kind of a type of reconstructive procedure,” Brzowski said.
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:“There are effects on the body; those primarily affect the breast and abdomen,” Brzowski said. “Having the high number of pregnancies and a high amount of people here accepting of surgery” leads to more procedures.
 
  
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:Both doctors said these particular patients are conservative in their approach to surgery, whether they be LDS or non-LDS. Fairbanks said, “They just want to look like they used to when they were younger, maybe a little larger, more proportional, they want to look nicer in their evening gown; they do not want to look like they’ve had surgery.”
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Brzowski noted that the “strong community that’s definitely a hallmark of Utah, the (LDS) Church, plays a role” in the numbers of procedures being done here. “Patients who have a positive experience with plastic surgery, with such a good community, they share and spread that information. You learn from your neighbor, 'Oh, my gosh, this problem I had was taken care of; it works.' The word spreads faster than a lot of other spots.”
  
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:“The people here aren’t doing it for vanity; they’re doing it in their minds to restore things, almost to the extent that it’s kind of a type of reconstructive procedure,” Brzowski said.
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“I think it fits in with the (culture’s idea of) taking care of yourself,” Brzowski said. “That to me is absolutely the answer and the explanation for why such a devout group of people here are so accepting of plastic surgery. They’re doing it for appropriate reasons, not for some vulgar type of motivation.<ref>http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=16938771</ref>"'
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</blockquote>
  
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:Brzowski noted that the “strong community that’s definitely a hallmark of Utah, the (LDS) Church, plays a role” in the numbers of procedures being done here. “Patients who have a positive experience with plastic surgery, with such a good community, they share and spread that information. You learn from your neighbor, 'Oh, my gosh, this problem I had was taken care of; it works.' The word spreads faster than a lot of other spots.”
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Of course, even getting plastic surgery for the reasons that Dr. Brzowski points out can be taken to the extreme. Individuals should exercise wisdom and self-control when considering plastic surgery.
  
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:“I think it fits in with the (culture’s idea of) taking care of yourself,” Brzowski said. “That to me is absolutely the answer and the explanation for why such a devout group of people here are so accepting of plastic surgery. They’re doing it for appropriate reasons, not for some vulgar type of motivation.<ref>http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=16938771</ref>"'
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{{Critical sources box:Mormonism and culture/Plastic surgery/CriticalSources}]
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[[es:Pregunta: ¿El hecho de que Salt Lake City tenga muchos cirujanos plásticos es indicativo de la vanidad mormona y la preocupación por la apariencia?]]

Latest revision as of 23:08, 1 May 2024

  1. REDIRECTTemplate:Test3

Question: Is the fact that Salt Lake City has many plastic surgeons indicative of Mormon vanity and concern with appearance?

Obtaining plastic surgery can be done for both good and bad reasons. It is an oversimplification to associate plastic surgery with vanity

Why does Salt Lake City have so many plastic surgeons? While New York City has 4 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people, Salt Lake City has 6 plastic surgeons per 100,000 people.[1] It is claimed that these statistics imply that Mormon's have a vanity problem.

Obtaining plastic surgery can be done for both good and bad reasons. It is an oversimplification to associate plastic surgery with vanity.

Reasons for the large number of plastic surgeons

Forbes, the publisher of the article entitled "America's Vainest Cities", explained one reason why some cities have such a high number of plastic surgeons:

"Unexpected entries like Salt Lake City, Nashville and Louisville might rise to the top, given smaller populations and medical or university programs and centers that focus on plastic surgery. An influx of younger, more affluent residents into the smaller cities may also account for the rising number of plastic surgeons."[2]

The University of Utah has a very successful medical program, which may contribute to the large number of plastic surgeons in SLC.[3]

It is also interesting to note that plastic surgery costs a lot less in Utah than it does in the surrounding states. It's possible that the prices have been driven down due to a lack of business in the state.

Statistical claims regarding Utah cannot necessarily be applied to Mormons in general. Utah is only a little over 60% Mormon

It needs to be pointed out that there is no official LDS stance on plastic surgery. Ultimately, this is a decision that is left up to the individual.

Statistical claims regarding Utah cannot necessarily be applied to Mormons in general. Utah is only a little over 60% Mormon.[4]

Merriam-Webster defines vanity as "The quality of people who have too much pride in their own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc."[5] If plastic surgery is used for prideful reasons, or for the purpose of elevating oneself above others, than this is a vain use of the surgery. On the flip side, plastic surgery could be a legitimate way of taking care of ones body.

A KSL article that interviewed Dr. Brian Brzowski, a non-LDS plastic surgeon that practices in Ogden, Utah, provides some interesting insight into Mormon culture and plastic surgery:

“The people here aren’t doing it for vanity; they’re doing it in their minds to restore things, almost to the extent that it’s kind of a type of reconstructive procedure,” Brzowski said.

Brzowski noted that the “strong community that’s definitely a hallmark of Utah, the (LDS) Church, plays a role” in the numbers of procedures being done here. “Patients who have a positive experience with plastic surgery, with such a good community, they share and spread that information. You learn from your neighbor, 'Oh, my gosh, this problem I had was taken care of; it works.' The word spreads faster than a lot of other spots.”

“I think it fits in with the (culture’s idea of) taking care of yourself,” Brzowski said. “That to me is absolutely the answer and the explanation for why such a devout group of people here are so accepting of plastic surgery. They’re doing it for appropriate reasons, not for some vulgar type of motivation.[6]"'

Of course, even getting plastic surgery for the reasons that Dr. Brzowski points out can be taken to the extreme. Individuals should exercise wisdom and self-control when considering plastic surgery.



{{Critical sources box:Mormonism and culture/Plastic surgery/CriticalSources}]

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html
  2. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/29/plastic-health-surgery-forbeslife-cx_rr_1129health.html
  3. ↑ http://www.ksl.com/?sid=17790344
  4. ↑ http://www.sltrib.com/53909710-200/population-lds-county-utah.html
  5. ↑ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vanity
  6. ↑ http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=16938771


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