Cosmetic Surgery on the NHS

On dictionary.com, the term "cosmetic" is defined as "superficial measures to make something appear better, more attractive, or more impressive". The definition of "cosmetic surgery" is "surgery performed to improve the appearance, rather than for medical reasons". It's unanimous then: cosmetic surgery is not a process used when people are in pain or their health is at risk. It is a process to make one appear more attractive, like a more dramatic version of changing your hair colour or getting acrylic nails.

This brings me to the next part of the title: "on the NHS". I'm sure I don't need to find a definition of what the NHS is for you all to understand that people can have cosmetic surgery for free. Well, not free exactly. Just paid for by the taxpayer rather than the person who is shallow enough to spend thousands of pounds of other people's money just to have Page 3 boobs.

Now, the official NHS line spouted by whichever moronic liar mans the website is that surgery is only performed on the NHS if it is reconstructive, for example breast enhancement after a tumor has been removed, or if the person has been injured and left disfigured such as their nose being snapped right off or something. However, I know of not just one or two but of several people (all younger than myself and I'm only 19) who have had cosmetic surgery on the NHS for entirely cosmetic reasons. Big boobs, a smaller nose , that kind of cosmetic surgery. Pretty girls who, in their opinion, had one flaw and had to get it sorted.
Now, as for whether cosmetic surgery in itself is a good thing is another debate. I personally disagree with it but everyone is entitled to do whatever they want with their body. What I don't believe, however, is that they're entitled to do what they want with other people's money, and especially not at the expense of said people.

Let me elaborate.

If this country had an unlimited amount of money and we couldn't get rid of it fast enough than by all means blow it on creating a generation in Barbie's image. It would be lovely, we could all wander around looking like living dolls and nobody would stand out in any way, shape or form. However (I have used this word far too much, starting to annoy myself), we do not live in a world like this and unfortunately money is still pretty important.

I would like somebody to explain to me why cancer patients are getting refused drugs they need in order to prolong their life on the basis that "they are too expensive", why suicidal patients desperately in need of intensive therapy are stuck on a waiting list and told to go away until a space becomes available because "we just haven't the money" to employ more therapists. I want to know why old people that can't look after themselves anymore are left to sit in their own filth for hours and tied to chairs because there are not enough staff members to run regular checks on everyone.

But wait, I already know why. I just don't want to admit it to myself. People are dying because treatments are refused or don't come fast enough, lives are being lost because the quality of care provided by the NHS is just not good enough, and for what? So Suzie Smith can have a nicer nose or so James Jones doesn't get the mickey taken out of him for his big ears?

Of course I am aware of how hurtful playground comments can be. I know what it feels like to feel really low, how it feels to hate your appearance. But I also know how it feels to have your mental health deteriorate and to be told that you could be waiting months for therapy. I know how it feels to have a grandparent neglected in a retirement home to the point where they are on death's door, and none of those things are less important than a teenager's self-esteem.

If you do have a problem with your natural appearance than either learn how to love yourself or wait until you can afford to make the changes yourself. To do otherwise and risk the lives of others is selfish and shallow and I have no qualms about saying this.