Just Curious....Cosmetic Surgery Anyone?

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Read a quote yesterday from Halle Berry, an otherwise sensible and do-it-my-own-way gal in reponse to a question if she would have plastic surgery that:

"plastic surgery has a seductive knife."

Would you, could you, have you done it?

I myself am considering getting the varicose and spider veins on the back of my knees minimized. The insurancw will help with one (varicose) but not the other. I am self conscious with these in the summer out here in California. Especially as I am in shorts at the beach and pool with my kids.

What is discouraging is these procedures are not permanent, the veins will probably come back. All that money for nothing????

[fairy74]

for me personally, no never. This may be in large part because our firm does medical malpractice and I have seen some of the HORROR stories in person (even from doctors who had had no other complaints). Just not worth it. But to each his own. The other thing that puzzles me is once you start, don't you just find more stuff to make perfect???

[kealina]

although i know people who have done it... i'm not really a fan... i don't think it's worth the pain in most cases... guess i'm just a chicken...
there are some exceptions but in general i would avoid it...
my exceptions would be LASIK surgery and cosmetic dentistry (according to the dentist, i got for me...
i also know those who have lost a lot of weight the healthy way (working out and eating good) and will eventually need a tummy tuck or whatever to take care of the sagging skin... don't mind that either... i'm sure there are other good reasons too and it depends on the person...

[Ima saver]

Nope, not me. I am too chicken. I wouldn't even have my ears pieced. I avoid all pain.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Ima, I have been trying to decide for 35 years if I want to get my ears pierced! It is not the pain, it is the deliberate alteration to the body's integrity. So I just enjoy other people's jewelry.

But I did have facial plastic surgery...
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...when I was five years old and sliced my face up running through a glass door. So bravo for plastic surgery and the doctors who do it. But what a weird profession. face in need of a little adjustment

[PrincessPerky]

no prolly not...I mean it isn't like a Dr can make me perfect, just a bit closer to the current norm.

I have considered it but, for the most part, I'll stick with the bod I was given/ruined....

Exception being dentistry, I have crooked teeth and they actually grate on my inner mouth, so braces would be a (minor) medical help...and the same exception applies to all cases where the cosmetics would give medical benefits, so far I haven't read that any medical help comes of a face lift..or anything. Though I also see a tummy tuck for the serious loose skin a good thing, and the disfigurement help. Also eye surgery, I see it as an alternative to glasses..people deserve to see! (course even if I had the money I am a bit chicken)

But I am not disfigured, just....not what I would like to be...

[34saving]

For me? No. Not a big fan of pain and hubby would much rather have me "as is" than deal with plastic surgery. However, dd2 will probably end of having more than her fair share. Her first plastic surgery was when she was seven weeks old to have the "initial repair" of her cleft lip done. I was surprised at how good she looked even immediately after the surgery. I was also surprised how quickly she healed and how well she/they were able to control the pain. There is a part of me that wonders if she'll find cosmetic surgery a little to easy/alluring. (There's a different part of me that thinks she'll be so sick of dealing with it that she'll run from the thought . . .)

BTW, I second the "But what a weird profession". We went with a pediatric surgeon for dd2, but we looked a others and I was amazed how many of them did clefts and lifts and tucks and everything inbetween. . . .

I attached a (fairly) recent photo of dd2. It shows up as a paperclip on the thread. . . My brain isn't working well enough to do it a different way right now

[jodi]

I would consider Lasik or braces...but I can't think of anything else I would have done. I rather dislike my lumpy nose, but wouldn't undergo surgery just for that reason...I guess if I was already undergoing surgery for something else and they could just fix something while I was under, I may consider it...but probably not even then. Just too much to worry about, not to mention the money!

[pearlieq]

I probably will someday.

I'm working on losing a lot of weight. Once I finish that and figure out where I'll maintain, and once I either finish with kiddos or decide it's not for me I'll very likely have at least a tummy tuck of body lift. Loose skin is dangerous and very unpleasant.

As for the purely "cosmetic" of the cosmetic surgery, it's not for me. I believe in aging gracefully, plus I don't think the results usually look that great.

Has anyone seen Billy Crystal lately? I mean there's a man who has deep pockets and access to the best surgeons around. If even his facelift looks obvious and plastic, what does that leave for the rest of us?

[boefixepa]

Personally, I'll probably never do it. I'm glad it's there for those with accidents, defects, or need real help--I see no reason not to do it then. That being said I've seen how voluntary surgeries not medically needed can change someone's life just by making them feel better about themselves even if the change was not all that drastic. So there is a place for it, but it's not for me.

Society is very, very hard on those that are not 'perfect' or even close. If a nose job, or a chin implant means you are not getting 'beaten' down by being teased....well I can't say I blame them. The sad truth of todays society is that these so called 'defects' can mean you make less money, go a fewer dates, etc. Sad but true.

I've seen and felt the difference 50 Lbs can make....no surgeries involed. The difference is MIND BOGGLING!!! So I will never judge someone for doing something to better their physical image. It has a HUGE impact on self-worth and self-esteem. True, people should have that irregardless of how they look, but people treat you differently!! All needs to be done with prudence, you can go too far for sure.

[fairy74]

I do agree that it can be useful for emergency situations or for medical conditions, but purely for cosmetic reasons I don't really get it. I do agree with what others have said though if it makes someone feel better about themselves or their life, then go for it.

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Ima You're Hilarious! I didn't get my ears pierced until my 20s (or was it 30s?) because I was afraid!

Way back in the dark ages...
Can't imagine the tattoing ouchies nowadays!

[lieweheksie]

a lot of plastic surgeons fund their free surgery for kids and others in need with the face lifts and nose jobs of the very rich...which is cool by me
but no I would never do...no unnecesary surgery for me
I wonder how many of the women who spend so much money on surgery suffer in retirement..

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

I probably will someday.
I'm working on losing a lot of weight.... Loose skin is dangerous and very unpleasant.

Pearlieq, I went out googling to see what you were talking about. I have a whole new idea about who might be getting tummy tucks these days and why. I have instantly become much more compassionate about the idea of tummy tucks. I had no idea. I had the notion that tummy tucks were usually gotten by people seeking the crowning touch in the quest for a perfect body. I had heard of removal of excess, stretched skin after weight loss, but thought it was only a necessity in super-extreme cases, like after losing 600 pounds or so....And the pictures I saw showed me that there were some healthy, strong bodies lingering under a lot of hanging, stretched skin and resistent fat that just flows with the skin.

[baking23]

The only thing I might consider would be Lasik since my eyes are really bad, I've had some moles removed but I think it was a pre-cancer measure more than a vanity thing. My braces were required too, since I'd face-planted into the cement as a kid.

The issues I have with my body can change itself if I would only exercise more. But that's my laziness getting in the way.

If they could add height I would do it, but no one can that I know of. A few inches would be wonderful! Being able to reach the bank vacuum tube, drive though, mailbox, without having to take off my seat belt and open the door a bit to reach through the open window, I would love that.

[baking23]

Originally Posted by pretty cheap jewelry

Ima You're Hilarious! I didn't get my ears pierced until my 20s (or was it 30s?) because I was afraid!

LOL! I got my first ear piercing when I was 19 I think and a second hole a few years later at 23. I had wanted it done when I was little and then just didn't care for a long time.

I would like a tattoo now but I can never settle on anything, which is for the best I think.

[baking23]

Originally Posted by Pearlie

Has anyone seen Billy Crystal lately? I mean there's a man who has deep pockets and access to the best surgeons around. If even his facelift looks obvious and plastic, what does that leave for the rest of us?

You know who really shocked/saddened me? Patrick Swayze, man, I'd rather he'd gone all Robert Redford instead. Even if you get just the eyes done (called a Blepharoplasty) so that you can see safely that's fine by me. Or to fix cataracts or something, all well and good. But PS just looks bad.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I would get it done. If it makes me feel better. I'd definitely get it done for medical reasons. My dad had eye lifts and skin removed above the eye because it was drooping so bad he couldn't see. Um so yes.

[crow67]

I would do Lasik, but that's the only serious surgery I would have done. And as for tattoo's, have one, planning on getting another someday, just have to find the right design.

[Homebody]

I just typed a preop on a woman having a facelift a year younger than me. I can't see myself doing it, but I would consider a blepharoplasty if my eyelids get droopy enough. I don't know, I hate pain... I am afraid of Lasix.