Cosmetic surgery. What do you think of it? There are a zillion kinds. Here are a few I found: Arm Lift. Body Lift. Breast Augmentation. Breast Lift. Brow Lift. Chemical Peel. Chin Surgery. Dermabrasion. Ear Surgery. Facelift. Facial Implants. Hair Replacement. Permanent Makeup. Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing. Spider Veins.Thigh Lift. Tummy Tuck.
Personally, I like the idea of a body lift, though I’m not really sure where they lift it to. I mean, why mess around hoisting a tricep when you can elevate your entire body?
But I really don’t know what to think of the whole idea. Even though we Americans are ludicrously shallow where looks are concerned, there remains a certain amount of stigma attached to plastic surgery. More so to some types than others. Breasts, for instance. Far better, in the public’s view, to have a reduction than an augmentation, I think.
People often wax poetic about aging gracefully. But is it really graceful? Not so much according to the old mirror mirror on the wall in my bedroom. So to tell you the truth I think that regardless of the stigma I’d go for it…if it didn’t cost an arm and a buttock.
The statistics I found were from 2005 but they stated that the average facelift costs about $6000, butt lift $5000, liposuction, $2600, and botox treatment $382.
So what do you think? Is it worth the pain and expense? And while we’re Christmas shopping, what treatments would you undergo if you were going to take the plunge? Better yet, is anyone experienced in this arena? Want to enlighten the rest of us?
24 comments:
Lois, you're not a good judge of the face in the mirror. I walk past the mirror, double-take, and say, "Who is that?" You, my dear, are aging gracefully. And you know me--I don't blow smoke.
Mama had two face lifts, and both made her feel good. She was a beautiful woman, and that aspect of her life was important to her. Weight was an issue for her for many years. She got down to where she wanted to be, and then she started worrying about wrinkles and sags. I guess if she hadn't gone for the surgery, she would have obsessed more, so I was happy for her when she did it. It was after I left home, so I didn't see the bruises or hear about any pain. She liked the results. She looked younger.
In her last days--she died of cancer--she laughed at herself for all the overpriced miracle cosmetics she'd ordered from infomercial TV. She said she was realizing how little all that meant in the grand scheme. But can anyone ever really see that in the living years, when the mirror says, "All we need is a lift here, a snip there"?
Probably not. The mirror has power. I think about it. And then I see pictures of the way they peel your face off to get rid of those wrinkles, and I'm chicken. Okay, chicken with a turkey neck. But when I smile, I'm pretty sure it still looks friendly.
I would have my eyes done.. The eyes are the window to the soul and I would like to have nice window treatments to showcase them. I always have thought these are my very best feature. Of course if possilbe, like Lois said, a whole body lift would to the trick...
thanks, kathy. that's kind of you, and interesting about your mother.
about 5 years ago i went to speak to a cosm. surgeon. my husband begged me not to, but i just wanted to learn. man, i ran out of there screaming. they cut it where and do WHAT with it? so needless to say i haven't pursued that course. but maybe some day. i'll leave my options open.
but you're right, you know...a smile is probably the best way to rejuvenate our faces.
kathleen, love the window treatment idea.
my daughter's boyfriend told her that he likes it how when i smile my eyes wrinkle up. i've been trying to convince myself that that's a compliment. :)
I'm not against simple cosmetic surgery done by a fabulous surgeon.
I am not a fan of people trying to look 25 years younger than their real age. Some of the work I've seen on celebrities has ruined them for me.
Haven't had any procedures yet. Not ruling it out, but I'd probably only have the eyes done. Not sure.
You are aging beautifully, Lois. I don't think I'd ever do any kind of plastic surgery or botox or peels, but ask in 10 years and my answer might change.
Believe it or not, smiling actually does build the muscles in your cheeks, holding the skin firmer.
Let's do lunch, I'll show you my facial exercises!
Chicken with a turkey neck ... LOL There's an exercise for that, too, Kathy.
If I could find someone good who did a facelift for $6000 I'd so be there. It think if you want the eyes and neck done as well it's closer to $10--$12,000, at least in Minneapolis. Ahem. Can you tell I researched it?
I will have a facelift at some point. Actually can't wait. The next big foreign sale, boy and I'm on that! I've had a couple procedures done over the last 20 years and both times they made me feel great. It's only money. And I'm worth it, LOL!
Oh and those 2005 statistics? Way out of date! Botox is $500, Restylane is $1000, lipo is $4800. Just so you know!
kylie, you're so in the know!! what procedures did you have, what did they cost, and where do i go for the same?
Hi,
I'm new to your blog and you pose an interesting question. I would say that if it interferes with the quality of your life, ie large breasts causing neck/back pain, then sure go ahead, but if you're only striving to become so physically perfect that it's one surgery after another, then you have another problem. I guess life is about balance and there is a part of us that needs to accept who we are and realize there is no perfect.
There is a current newstory out about a famous model who went in to improve her butt - injections of some kind. She died 3 days later (mother of 7 yr. old twins). The sad thing is she looked beautiful to everyone else. I've kept my hair grey so I'm problably not the person to talk to lol. Maybe if I had money to spare I would think differently. I wouldn't mind getting rid of some flabby skin but I guess I can "live" with it lol.
welcome to our blog, Kathy. i'm sure you're right. there is no perfect, and everyone can understand having surgery to correct physical problems, but what about the fact that our society is obsessed with youth and beauty. do you think we are more likely to get the jobs we want if we look good?
and what's this deal with Tiger Woods?? if one more commentator says, "but his wife is BEAUTIFUL. why would he cheat on HER?" i'm going to hurl. i mean really? do looks determine whether people are faithful?
catslady, i love gray hair. you go, girl.
I'm too terrified I'd be that ONE in a million, or whatever it is, where things went awfully wrong.
BUT if something ever happened to my boobs, I would be open to having those fixed.
something I'm tempted to see about fixing--my belly button. I have an outie and want one of those cute little innie slits!
never even considered the innie outie belly button aspect, Keri, but i'm sure it could be changed.
you look pretty adorable on your pic, tho, so i wouldn't change anything if i were you.
I'm with Kim. if it didn't cost an arm and a leg, I'd be there. I've had microderm abrasion - basically feels like a cat licking your face :o) It's no big deal - not much more than exfoliating. I also had some filler injections a couple of years ago but they don't last and they hurt like blazes.
And you young 'uns who say you wouldn't do it - you may not be singing the same tune in a few years. It's mighty tempting!!
Hey, Kathy Otten-- Welcome! Way to jump right into the fray!
cindy, maybe we could all go in together and get a package deal. :)
Hey Lois - LOVE it. Merry Christmas to us, maybe???
I never thought much of cosmetic surgery, then again it wasn't until recently I discovered I'm getting older (winks). At some point I'm almost positive I want a breast reduction. I would love to cook and not sweep everything off the counter or end up with a shelf for everything to land on. I'm small a mere 5'1 and 115lbs. One of these days I'm going to end up falling on my face due to the odd porportions of my chest.
Other than that, maybe hair implants to make my hair thicker. It's always been long, straight and thin.
I think in the end, sometimes you have to concede defeat and realize time wins. (Hugs)Indigo
indigo, isn't it a surprise to realize we're aging?
i know scores of women who would like to have your problem, but it's so much easier to add padding than reduce anything. believe me, i'm the queen of padding and very comfortable with it.
After five kids, with twins in the mix, at 29 I could put the loose belly skin in a pony tail holder. I had a tummy tuck and felt like I'd gotten my youth back. Then I think I was 43 when my boobs lost the fight with gravity, LOL. Had them returned northward and again, felt fantastic. I've had Botox (doesn't work on me) and Restylane once. Lots of money for something that doesn't last. I do microdermabrasion (it's more like a glorified facial) and microcurrent but they really just make your skin look nicer. Not a permanent solution.
I remember when I was 22 and heard that my aunt (beautiful woman) was thinking about a facelift. I told my mom I thought that was the most vain thing in the world. Oh, the arrogance of youth!
Well, I guess I get to talk about the benefits of a breast reduction. Been there, done that. Best surgery I ever had. I had very large heavy breasts with neck, shoulder and back pain. I had a great plastic surgeon and I can honestly say, I don't regret it for a minute. If you watch one on say the Learning Channel it looks like a hideous operation, and really when you consider what they do it is. But, I only had to take pain medicine for one day and I was back at work in 3. My hysterectomy was a lot worse than this one was.
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