From 21401 to 90210

               

Cosmetic surgery as an industry has expanded exponentially within the past decade. Plastic surgery had a negative reputation during its early days because of highly publicized botched boob jobs, over stuffed lips, tummy tuck scars, or is only for celebrities. Dr. 90210 attempts to dispel these stereotypes. 

The first way the show does this is to “cure” patients who had botched surgeries and make them right again. Also the doctors repeatedly emphasize how they will give patients a “natural look” with minimal scars and recovery time. The doctors are very reassuring, and to their credit, they are very good at what they do. Specifically, Dr. Rey does a procedure in which the breast implant is inserted through the belly button. Every time he does this procedure, he emphasizes the lack of scarring associated with it.

                 

Dr. 90210 also wants the audience to think cosmetic surgery is easily accessible, and isn’t just for celebrities and the wealthy. The show also makes the surgery seem like an errand that you would fit in between grocery shopping and picking the kids up from work. The show also showcases the many procedures people can choose from, again showing that cosmetic surgery can be more universal then it once was. Examples of surgeries shown are various nose jobs, butt injections, and penile implants.

                Procedure by Dr. Kinodia on Dr. 90210

 Dr. 90210 also brings a sense of humanity to the doctors, as the show also follows their personal lives. This is supposed to make the surgeons seem “more like me and you.” This may also be a tactic used to soften the image of the actual brutality of surgery, and calm people’s fears about back alley-way cosmetic procedures.  The show does show parts of the procedures, but little attention is paid to the recovery process. 

Dr. Jason Diamond with his wife and son who are also featured on Dr. 90210

 Melanie Latham, writing for the Oxford Journal, says that concerns about plastic surgery are usually feminist ones. Dr. 90210, includes many male patients as well. The show addresses feminist concerns by showing procedures not meant for strictly cosmetic reasons such as a nose job to help breathing, dental help for eating problems, among others. It's not all about looking perfect anymore. Either way, perfection is relative.

Example: She thinks she looks good.