Jonah, "Learn to be glad with what you've got" is no doubt a reasonable motto for you to live by, but I think you're on shaky ground when you assume it will work for everyone. Many people would probably agree with kat that cosmetic surgery is "OK" in the case of "birth defects and accidents" -- but where do you draw the lines on the continuum from "deformity" to "disfigurement" to "distasteful" to "dissatisfied"? And who is to say that YOUR response to societal pressure and your own psychic distress by "learning to live with it" is "right", but HIS response by having surgery is "wrong"?

Also, as a member of the oft-maligned medical profession (though not a surgeon), I would like to point out that while there may be unethical and greedy cosmetic surgeons, there are also those who donate time and expertise and equipment and supplies to people in the third world, often making an immense difference in their lives. If you're interested in finding out about, or supporting, this kind of humanitarian work, check out one of the most prominent organizations inthe field, Interplast. (Interestingly, I just found out from their website that they include pediatricians as part of their surgical teams. Hmmmm....)

Aloha,
Mark