It’s not often you’ll find plastic surgery and eco-friendliness in the same sentence. As it goes, the two topics barely have anything in common. However, one thing they do have in common is the fact that the popularity of both is increasing. Pressure from what we see online could be the reason for this. A desire to replicate the looks of famous celebrities and influencers makes plastic surgery more desirable, while increasing knowledge of the planet means consumers are prioritising sustainability more than ever before.
So, what do surgical procedures have to do with the environment? Throughout this article, we’ll discuss the relationship between these two seemingly separate topics. Is all plastic surgery bad for the environment? Should eco-warriors ditch surgical procedures? And how can the surgery industry take steps to become more sustainable?
Key Considerations
Travel
As more and more industries choose to operate online, surgery is one of the few remaining areas that doesn’t have this option. While consultations can take place over video calls, procedures obviously need to take place in a physical location, which throws up the issue of travel.
Given that evidence suggests plastic surgery is more common amongst wealthy individuals, we can also assume that many patients are prepared to travel further to experience a better quality of treatment. Those with bigger budgets may not think twice about travelling to another country by plane if it means accessing the best surgery money can buy.
Energy Output
Clinics can be extremely energy-intensive, as it’s important to keep locations at optimal temperatures, meaning large amounts of energy are consumed for devices like industrial air conditioning units and fluorescent lighting. Certain medications also need to be kept at certain temperatures, which means refrigerators and freezers are needed.
There’s also a large number of electrical devices that need to be powered, from security systems to scanners, again consuming vast amounts of energy.
Waste
It’s also important to consider the amount of waste that is produced by a surgical clinic, as this contributes to the eco-friendliness of the industry. Due to the nature of the industry, many items and materials are what could be described as ‘single-use’, meaning they need to be discarded after being used once. Things like gloves and needles can obviously not be used for different patients.
There’s also the issue of hazardous waste, which comes from chemicals used in plastic surgery. This type of waste often requires special considerations when being disposed of, increasing the carbon footprint of the clinic. It’s also difficult or impossible to recycle much of the waste that comes with surgery, which again hampers the sustainability of the industry.
Ways to improve the eco-friendliness of surgery
Embrace remote options
Obviously, we can’t perform cosmetic procedures without the surgeon and the patient being in the same location. But there are ways that the health sector is starting to embrace remote working. Things like initial consultations and patient follow-ups can be performed from remote locations, which negates the need for travel.
Reduce waste
We can all do our bit to reduce waste, and the medical industry is no different. While many forms of medical waste can’t be reused or recycled, others can. From food waste in surgeries and hospitals to greener packaging and sustainable construction, there are a number of areas where the medical space can reduce waste.
Promote minimally invasive surgeries
Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the area of minimally invasive surgeries. While less invasive surgeries can often be safer and more efficient in terms of results, they’re also often better from an environmental point of view.
For instance, mini neck lifts use fewer materials and take a shorter amount of time to perform than a full neck lift. Recovery time is usually shorter too, which uses fewer resources in the recovery phase.
Use local clinics
From a patient’s perspective, it’s also important to consider how we can make more environmentally friendly decisions. As already mentioned, the surgery industry is led by wealthy individuals with big budgets who are often prepared to travel by plane to access the world’s top surgeons.
Using domestic clinics that can be accessed by car or rail is obviously far better for the environment.