WalesOnline has revealed that the Welsh are using the NHS to get free plastic surgery. In fact, over 2000 patients in Wales last year alone underwent plastic surgery procedures, with everything from tummy tucks to ear pinning, facelifts and nose jobs on the list of operations.
In addition to this, Welsh hospitals have insisted that procedures funded by the NHS are not done solely for cosmetic reasons, leading many to debate whether men and women are simply ‘milking’ the organisation, or whether they are in fact suffering at the hands of their body-image.
Interestingly, the rising demands for plastic surgery don’t seem to have been curbed by the recent NHS cuts, which will see a reduction in funds of 11% over the coming years.
The cost of these cosmetic procedures last year alone cost the tax payer roughly £3.25 million – a sum that many would be shocked to learn the NHS would allow.
The freedom of information request also revealed that between 2008 and 2010, 777 women in Wales had a breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lift. There were also 463 pinnaplasties, with numerous children having undergone this procedure after suffering at the hands of bullies at school.
Of the 777 breast related procedures, over half were estimated to be reductions due to the pain that large breasts can cause patients.
Whatever your opinion on NHS funding, one thing is certain: an increasing number of people are so badly affected by their physical appearance that doctors genuinely see the need for them to alter their bodies.
Pressure from society? Genuine and warranted body image concerns? Let us know what you think below.
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I’m not sure what a NHS is. I can understand if there is a government funded program that if there’s a real need for surgery that people are willing to undergo it when its being paid for. Being a bigger chested woman I understand the need for reduction as it can throw out your back and strain your shoulder, that’s a real problem and if I could fix it I certainly would.