Categories: Plastic Surgery Blog

Cosmetic Surgery: Vanity or Survival ??

Dismissed by some as “vanity,” or only for the insecure, cosmetic surgery from a teleological standpoint is much more seriously important for survival, or, more accurately, the survival of our genes. Propagation of species depends upon successful reproduction. This involves finding a partner of the opposite sex, mating, giving birth, then growth and development of the next generation to maturity. Acceptance by a partner for mating in many species involves a competition between dominant males for fertile or desirable females.  In other species, females compete for male attention.  Darwinian doctrine proposes “survival of the fittest,” which means the best-adapted individuals of a species.

The freedom of contemporary western society includes an open choice among partners for mating, and selection must be mutually agreed upon to consummate the relationship. Both males and females compete for attention and acceptance by potential suitors. Although this competition encompasses many characteristics and areas of compatibility, chief among the biologic basis for attraction are visible physical attributes and self-confidence.

By improving appearance and self-confidence, cosmetic plastic surgery promotes individual performance in the competition for mates. By doing so, however slightly, one’s chances for passing his or her genes along to the next generation increase. Additionally, the probability of securing a partner with higher quality genes with which to combine our own, thus conferring an advantage to our offspring, increases. Cosmetic surgery is part of our effort for visible self-improvement, is fundamentally important to individual success in a primal sense, and is motivated by our intrinsic drive to endure and to improve a lot of our children.

Besides mating behavior, human beings within a complex society evaluate and respond to those around us constantly. Although impressions and assessments are not exclusively based on appearance, multiple studies strongly support the powerful influence of appearance upon our perceptions of one another, and the advantages in social and professional situations conferred upon the most attractive of both sexes. For more information, e-mail slaverson@feelbeautiful.com, or call Amber at Feel Beautiful Plastic Surgery, phone 858-295-4001.

Dr. Steve Laverson

Great cosmetic surgery results provide tremendous value for your lifetime. With more than 30 years of experience and over 40,000 surgeries performed, Dr. Laverson is a highly regarded plastic surgeon both locally in San Diego and internationally.

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