Cosmetic Surgery

In bodybuilding, there are many cosmetic surgical procedures a bodybuilder can use to enhance his or her appearance. As a matter of conscience, can a bodybuilder really call him or herself a bodybuilder if they haven't really worked to build their body, but have just paid for a pair of biceps? Sure they are literally building their bodies with artificial "building blocks," but would you call an out-of-shape couch potato with pectoral implants a bodybuilder?

With recreational bodybuilders, it's a personal decision. If a person isn't completely happy with their body image, it's their own right to choose to reach their goal using artificial substances or surgery. If a surgeon assesses a procedure as too risky it likely won't be performed. But for substances like Synthol, a person should recognize the risks involved before blindly trying to improve their appearance.

In male competitive bodybuilding, the contestants are being judged on their muscular physique. If the contestant has implants or has injected Synthol, then they really aren't showing their muscular physique. The same should apply to female competitive bodybuilding as well, figure and fitness competitions included.

In all fairness, it would be wrong to reward a competitor who has undergone surgery above a competitor who has trained hard to build his or her body, without the use of cosmetic surgery. Instead of rewarding for hard earned bodybuilding, it would be rewarding a competitor for being willing enough to go to those lengths and who can afford the procedures. Even if such procedures aren't necessarily considered "cheating" in the competition, surgical enhancement cheats the other competitors out of a fair chance.

Basically any procedure or substance that is meant to push a person past what is physically possible; going against the laws of genetics should not be permitted in competitive bodybuilding. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Facial surgeries and cosmetic surgeries that are necessary for a bodybuilder to maintain a typical lifestyle such as reconstruction, implants and skin grafts after serious trauma should be accepted.

In competitions, the face is not being judged so should not be considered unethical, and discriminating against a competitor for having "necessary" cosmetic surgery is in itself unethical. Often, women may get breast implants for valid reasons that are acceptable, like helping in breast cancer recovery.

Without trying to sound sexist, breast implants for women shouldn't be considered unethical even in competitive bodybuilding. It is well known that women bodybuilders often reduce their breast size, from fat loss. In fitness and figure competitions, the female physique is judged based on a "healthy" look, which implies muscularity and low body fat. Now, breast implants are meant to enhance or replace a body part composed solely of fat.

Asking whether cosmetic surgery is ethical is a rather simplistic question for a tremendously complex issue. The central issue is self image. Should someone content themselves with reaching the limits of their genetics? Or is it permissible to use current technology to enhance their bodies artificially? I think the answer is yes.

Bodybuilding is the pursuit ...