Plastic Surgery
Should Christians get plastic surgery?
This is such a difficult issue, because of the social stigma. We allow the straightening of teeth through orthodontia, and coloring hair when age brings a certain grey tone. There is a touch of hypocrisy in some who will not allow plastic surgery under the notion that all plastic surgery is selfish. If a child is born with a cleft palate, we certainly allow for surgery to fix not only the palate but also the visible deformity of the cleft lip often accompanying a cleft palate. The logic seems to be that if it is a birth defect, then it is justifiable. However, someone's intense insecurities about appearance can be disabling emotionally. Ideally, we should accept God's sovereignty and accept our shortcomings physically or aesthetically.
All plastic surgery is not equal. For example, what of the case of a woman who survives breast cancer and has had a radical mastectomy? The reconstruction is about appearance, her sense of femininity and probably many other important factors. This certainly would not be denied by the judgmental moralist, or would it?
What of the case of a man who has been in an accident and has a facial deformity, would this be considered legitimate? In the case of a woman who was obese for years and has lost a vast amount of weight, should she be allowed to have a tummy tuck to remove extra skin?
My recommendation for those who consider plastic surgery is make sure you go into the process realizing you are the same person before and after the surgery. God loves you and so do your friends, irrespective of the flaws you may be stressing about. If you are insecure going into surgery, you will probably be insecure after the surgery.
My recommendation for those judging others who have plastic surgery, stop! Love your brother and sister even when you disagree. Hold your convictions as your own to God and allow other to hold their convictions to God.
Romans 14:2 "One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables [only.] 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day [alike.] Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived [again], that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God."
Does plastic surgery dishonor God as creator?
This cannot be answered fairly in sweeping generalities. It is probably true that it is an insult to the creative act of God in some plastic surgery procedures. However, we should allow God to judge this for others. In regard to self, if you struggle with this view, avoid the surgery.
Please see the answer to the question above.