Are people who get cosmetic surgery committing the sin of vanity?

**Holly3278** · #1 Jun 16, '12, 9:41 pm

Hey everyone. Are people who get cosmetic surgery committing the sin of vanity? What about those who get a gastric bypass to help them lose weight because they are seriously obese?

smith500 · #2 Jun 16, '12, 10:34 pm

Is dressing sharply the sin of vanity?

Is putting on makeup the sin of vanity?

To answer your question, my answer is "it depends."

**Trishie** · #3 Jun 16, '12, 10:36 pm

I always hope that those considering gastric bypass will find the less invasive way of healthy eating and exercise. If they feel the surgery will help, then they are often doing so as much to save their health as for cosmetic reasons. This also does require self-discipline. I have a close friend who had the lap-band surgery done but has kept the same weight as she didn't change the kind of foods she ate, she's as large as she was before bypass surgery over two years ago;
and occasionally, as in may kinds of surgeries, harmful effects occur, the surgery goes wrong
...and then there are those for whom the surgery has been successful.

As much weight can result in various illnesses and shortened life, means to lose weight are not self-indulgence or vanity, but potentially life-saving...it would be my preference, though, that people would choose the option of healthy diet and exercise, not something I can't help feeling is invasive and unnatural...but if anyone's health is under threat, I could not regard it as vanity to actively seek to lose excess weight.

Regarding cosmetic surgery...in some instances, after accident or fire it is a good thing.
Regarding looking younger or 'more perfect' ....vanity? Yes but in some instances it may be to keep in the workforce or to keep appeal for ones husband...but these are not issues for me and I know no one who has ever had plastic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons. Anyone I know and anyone in my family are content to appear their age and to accept their appearance because even if they have for instance a big nose, or some wrinkles...it's part of who they are and not to be rejected. They are loved/valued for who they are. Amongst such people it might be considered vanity, but I understand that to some people it appears as some kind of necessity.

reconman · #4 Jun 16, '12, 10:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. Are people who get cosmetic surgery committing the sin of vanity? What about those who get a gastric bypass to help them lose weight because they are seriously obese?

No. If you get cosmetic surgery and it helps you feel better about yourself, that's a good thing. The bypass obviously not, since it is a matter of basic health.

TheDoctor · #5 Jun 16, '12, 10:44 pm

Like all personal modifications (like piercing and tattoos) it depends. Someone who has their chest augmented to a DDD to attract men is probably guilty of vanity whereas someone who has a similar surgery done to reconstruct a breast lost due to cancer does not.

Qoeleth · #6 Jun 16, '12, 10:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. Are people who get cosmetic surgery committing the sin of vanity? What about those who get a gastric bypass to help them lose weight because they are seriously obese?

Surgery for cosmetic reasons is a sin of vanity. People are dying in the world who are not getting life-saving medicines. If you get surgery to look better, while your brother or sister in Christ dies for lack of basic medicine, is it a sin?

And yes, surgery to cure obesity would seem to be a sin. For the same reason.

These kind of things reflect the moral decadence of the worst days of the Roman Empire.

Qoeleth · #7 Jun 16, '12, 10:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by smith500

Is dressing sharply the sin of vanity?

Is putting on makeup the sin of vanity?

Well, yes. A Christian should not strive for a beautiful outside appearance. Humility says that Christians should be of modest appearance, reflecting solidarity with the poor, the physically ill-favoured, etc., but not to the point of drawing attention to themselves for doing so.

reconman · #8 Jun 16, '12, 10:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qoeleth

Surgery for cosmetic reasons is a sin of vanity..

No it's not

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qoeleth

People are dying in the world who are not getting life-saving medicines. If you get surgery to look better, while your brother or sister in Christ dies for lack of basic medicine, is it a sin?.

A ridiculous statement.
Do you own a car? A house? More than one set of clothes? If so why? When so many are in need? Why have you not sold all of your possessions to give to the poor?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qoeleth

And yes, surgery to cure obesity would seem to be a sin. For the same reason..

An even more ridiculous statement.

**Trishie** · #9 Jun 16, '12, 11:06 pm

I don't believe that the comment in the previous post reflects all teaching regarding cosmetics.
For instance, a comment from Saint Augustine: http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3169.htm
"Nevertheless a woman may use means to please her husband, lest through despising her he fall into adultery. Hence it is written (1 Corinthians 7:34) that the woman "that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband." Wherefore if a married woman adorn herself in order to please her husband she can do this without sin."
My husband, for instance, invariably complains if I don't wear lipstick. He claims I'm too pale without it. I wouldn't bother for myself...but it matters to him even around the house.
I personally do not see the harm of tasteful and subtle make-up.
and many a young woman has probably hidden some acne under a little hypo-allergenic foundation, and why shouldn't she, rather than going out feeling embarrassed. She is more likely to be aware of her appearance without it than with it.

Qoeleth · #10 Jun 16, '12, 11:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by reconman

No it's not

A ridiculous statement.
Do you own a car? A house? More than one set of clothes? If so why? When so many are in need? Why have you not sold all of your possessions to give to the poor?

This is what St. Francis and his holy brethren did/do. This is what Jesus commanded the young man man who would follow Him.

Why do you find it ridiculous?

reconman · #11 Jun 16, '12, 11:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qoeleth

This is what St. Francis and his holy brethren did/do. This is what Jesus commanded the young man man who would follow Him.

Why do you find it ridiculous?

And why haven't you done likewise? It's your hypocrisy I find ridiculous. Not St. Francis.

Qoeleth · #12 Jun 16, '12, 11:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by reconman

And why haven't you done likewise? It's your hypocrisy I find ridiculous. Not St. Francis.

Yes, my hypocrisy is ridiculous. And, although I try to live 'poverty' in my small weak way, there is still more food in my cupboard than I need and more books on my shelves, and when I encounter the real poor- I realise how ridiculous it is.

Contra Mundum · #13 Jun 16, '12, 11:57 pm

I would like to suggest that people who have plastic surgery in order to change something about their appearance have big issues with self esteem and their identity. You don't go under the knife because it's fun. My father is a plastic surgeon, I grew up around that thing. In my family we all had something done because my father influenced us that way. I had serious body issues when I was a bit younger and was a perfect example of an insecure person who needed to meet certain criteria to feel beautiful and worthy of attention and love. I've also met so many people who had work done and have heard their stories. (People really like to talk about it.) I'd say that plastic surgery is about vanity (I'm not talking about reconstructive surgery after accidents or illness) but those who undergo the procedures could be seen as victims of an extremely shallow world and its ideology, and the degree of our culpability is not always clear. That's my take on this question.

drfye · #14 Jun 17, '12, 12:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. Are people who get cosmetic surgery committing the sin of vanity? What about those who get a gastric bypass to help them lose weight because they are seriously obese?

not necessarily, there are any number of reasons for someone to have cosmetic surgery or a gastric bypass besides "looking good",

**Holly3278** · #15 Jun 17, '12, 12:19 am

My own personal beliefs on the matter are as follows. Basically, if someone is getting cosmetic surgery just so that they look pretty or sexy or whatever, that is the sin of vanity. However, if a person is getting cosmetic surgery to repair a serious injury or something then that is not the sin of vanity. As for gastric bypass surgery, I would say that in most cases, it is not the sin of vanity since it is usually only done on those who are morbidly obese and who have tried other methods to lose weight and failed.