I'm appalled at the advice other people have given you in this thread. The best comment I've seen here is that you wait and see whether your nose bothers you as much later on. If it does continue to bother you, perhaps the money you have for the cosmetic procedure can be put towards counseling instead. People have learned to live with physical disfiguration far beyond what you have described. You sound as if you need some mental fortitude.
My attitude towards the vegan community is that we are best off (meaning, animals are best served) if we offer each other the strength to stick to veganism when possible. People who are determined to do non-vegan things can do so without being comforted and encouraged and having their behavior condoned. The first priority is animal welfare.
I suggest you think hard about whether the appearance of the tip of your nose is more important to you than your vegan principles. Might you regret this procedure in the future? People often come to care less about physical appearance as they gain life experience. Are you considering this primarily for yourself or are you mainly worried about how others will react to your appearance?
Don't forget that we as vegans exist as models for other people who might become vegans, both in real life and on the Internet, because anyone can read this forum. Do we really want to communicate that purchasing animal products for minor cosmetic procedures is acceptable? If people were murdering innocent humans, would you buy some of the body parts to alter your nose? These are all rhetorical questions for your consideration.
Legitimate "compromises" in the vegan lifestyle are for emergencies, health issues, potentially losing your job, etc: things that will truly upend or destroy one's life. We avoid animal products as best as we can, not only when it's psychologically easy, and we don't stop just for plastic surgery.
Yes, my nose bothers me, I don't need mental fortitude, no, my actions will not cause a single other animal to die, yes, we must weigh our ethics. In fact, I think that is a good lesson to all, that we must do everything in our power to prevent suffering, but we must always put ourselves first while we strive to do 'even better.' There are different kinds of vegans, with different reasons.
My vegan ethical morals (I have some) tell me to do nothing to contribute to another death, or harm of an animal. It does not say anything about taking care of my future and weird appearance, or that it's wrong to help somebody, utilizing material from an animal. In fact, while so many are eating meat and animals are being killed, what makes sense is to use every part. To answer your question, yes I would benefit from slaughtered humans if they helped with a disfigurement, life saving procedures or improving on my appearance. I wouldn't agree with that either and would ensure my actions would harm none. I was not asking to be condoned, nor does it affect animal welfare. This product has been around for many years and there is no current animal testing involving this product.
Like you, I used to be an absolutist. When it comes to animal harm and suffering, I still am. My uncle just gave me his leather belt, which he's had for 20 years and almost never warn. This did not and will not contribute to an animal death either. While I haven't worn it, it was part of his life and I will remember him by it, when he is gone.
So, the lesson for the not-yet-vegans is this:
Do not contribute to the harming of animals
Do your best to remain true to your principals
Do what you need to take care of yourself
Know that there are times you will need to make hard decisions
Veganism is about causing as little harm as possible and exhibiting that possibility for others. We will grow more perfect as a community and will hopefully get better. Just like your own cell phone is not vegan, 'though we endeavor to make a difference, there are times that's not practically possible.
Friend, my appearance is not a non-issue, it affects how I am seen, but also how I am perceived. It is not a missing appendage I cannot replace and which I must learn to live with, it is something that will help me in life. It is not 'minor., it matters. Were it to cause death, I could not consider it, not even for a baboon heart transplant. This is the only substance that can fix it besides surgery, which I cannot afford, or silicone, which is not safe. I've decided to go through with it, as it did not contribute to the animals death and still benefits the rest of my life, altering its course. We can still strive to do better.
Having animal matter in me, harvested from an already dead animal is more *yuck* to me then unethical, as my actions did not harm it.
Thank you for your very thoughtful and detailed response, I appreciate it, and it's very much the way I used to think. My only goals now are to not cause harm and to champion for change. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and I will still consider what you posted, as I go back to it.
can't let your vegan guard down for a second in this world!
