Plastic Surgery

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Aug 26, 2011

Forget needles, I am going to go get my face lasered with CO2 or something like that. I can't remember the name. I got my first wrinkle on my forehead, It's my WTH wrinkle because it's the wrinkle that pops up from the WTH facial expression. I am a pro at it and my daughter is too.

Lately I keep finding grey hairs. I think I am going into a panic about my upcoming birthday. Couldn't I just stay 30 forever?

Also I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a breast reduction. I am really scared to get it done though. I have researched that a lot. I don't think there is anything wrong with making yourself feel better. But I do think many people go overboard with it and it looks alienish.

No Stars In My Eyes · Aug 26, 2011

Yeah, I admit IF I HAD THE $$$$$, I would have one of those "Lifestyle Lift" procedures. My sister made sure I read all the horror stories after she heard me make that remark, but I think if you get a METICULOUS doctor it would turn out ok.

What bothers me most is the wrinkle/striations of my upper lip from too many years of smoking....probably couldn't eliminate them totally, but LESSENING them would be nice.

And I, too, have DREAMED about a breast reduction, though I have heard it is an extremely painful recovery; people who've had it say they wake up feeling as though they were hit by a truck.

I have DEEP gouges in my shoulders from bra straps and even with 'specially designed' bras and silicone strap attachments, I suffer.

But, it is all a moot point 'cause I have no $$$$$$, and I would have to lose at least 50 lbs before I had it done....or have a total-body-suck done:eek: first.

Overall, though, since I can't be transformed magically to my ideal, right here is where I am and all I can do is the usual: don't smoke, eat right, excercise and be grateful I'm not that poor young actress who had ten procedurea done and then regretted it! All her individual beauty was stripped from her face leaving a motionless Barbie face. Pretty sad. And forget those balloon-boobs! That, I think, was a very bad decision!

Oh, we had a local news-lady who had a botox treatment between her eyebrows and for 6+ months had a perfectly STILL circle the size of a silver dollar in the middle of her forehead. Guess HER doc wasn't as adept as others.

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 26, 2011

I think it's making everyone LOOK THE SAME. FISH LIPS, FROZEN FACES and NO ORIGINAL THOUGHTS AT ALL - and SELF-ESTEEM has to be fragile as those spray tans - sad. The tide will turn when they hit the real world and find few jobs listings for famous folks!
I think you have to take good care of yourself - exercise, do not smoke, avoid excess in food, alcohol and be happy and kind to yourself and each other. When one is content with themselves and lives a life that is balanced and happy - you will naturally look better than those who live rough lives. And no amount of filler, botox, laser hair removal and spray tan will fix you if you are a mean, spiteful and cruel person - that kind of ugly always shines through!

This ...

maxienurse · Aug 26, 2011

WOW !!!

Enlightening. I appreciate the diverse thoughts, attitudes and ideas.

I wonder what the cost is?

I know it varies greatly from provider to provider and the different options available.

I am under the impression that it is +- $500.00 a syringe for the light fillers and one (usually) needs more than one syringe (obviously depending on what one is having done). And then as mentioned, it would need to be reapeated 2-3 times per year.

So maybe $2000.00 to $3000.00 per year. ($160.00 to $250.00) per month ?

I would call that relatively expensive as an ongoing expense.

I believe everyone's priorities are different and everyone has an opinion which I respect.

If my son/daughter or someone I love asks me for my opinion I would be reluctant to encourage it.

I do believe if the person who wants it, believes it gives them more self-confidence - there may other solutions to that.

If there really is a problem with disfiguirement or one feels one needs a breast augmentation or reduction or a nose job, I deem that different to the sense that the effects of natural aging is ugly.

As was mentioned above by NREMT - P/RN ..... inner beauty shine through and has a MORE BEAUTIFUL effect than any fillers/botox/or spray tan can achieve.

But to each his own.

Still....last word.....Smile, be conent, be kind, love a lot, have peace in your heart, be patient and KNOW THE TRUTH. Beauty will shine through you and you WILL be beautiful. How sad to be consumed with not wanting to grow old and not wanting to look old. It is inevitable. Media is so powerful it is frightening !

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Aug 26, 2011

I can definitely see how plastic surgery can be addictive. I do not think is appropriate for anyone under 18 unless there is a clear medical purpose.

I consider myself rather high-maintenance and while I haven't had any "hardcore" plastic surgery (yet), I do get monthly 70% glycolic peels and the occasional cortisone injection into a bad pimple. I've considered liposuction - we'll see about that if my workout and eating less don't accomplish what I want.

I'm sure when the time comes, I'll be looking into Botox or whatever else is on the market at the time. Thankfully, I've been blessed with good genes when it comes to wrinkles - my dad is 79 and I've yet to notice any major wrinkles on him.

No Stars In My Eyes · Aug 27, 2011

I have to say that when I was a kid, some of my favorite people were "old" folks. Because of the love I felt from them, they were so beautiful to me; I actually looked forward to getting to be an old person because of those people! Their beauty was in their character.

WorldTravelingYogi · Sep 5, 2011

WOW !!!
Enlightening. I appreciate the diverse thoughts, attitudes and ideas.
I wonder what the cost is?
I know it varies greatly from provider to provider and the different options available.
I am under the impression that it is +- $500.00 a syringe for the light fillers and one (usually) needs more than one syringe (obviously depending on what one is having done). And then as mentioned, it would need to be reapeated 2-3 times per year.
So maybe $2000.00 to $3000.00 per year. ($160.00 to $250.00) per month ?
I would call that relatively expensive as an ongoing expense...

Most fillers last about a year. Restylane is the worst and lasts a minimum of only 4 months but the rest of them last a year or longer. The syringes are 450 to 650 but I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and there is always a medi-spa having a sale so you can get a syringe for as low as 300 if you hit the right sales.

Botox is more expensive because it is around 300 or little less depending on the specials but it has to be done every 3 to 4 months. So Botox ends up being a lot more expensive then the fillers to keep up.

But with both you can let it go and then pick it up again. I know plenty of people that have let their fillers and Botox go in this economy and then they will just pick it up again when they are doing better.

austriancrystal · Sep 5, 2011

I'm not against plastic surgery but it really has become over-used and hyped about by the media. It's worse because people buy into it. It really depends, I think, if you need it, you need it. Burn victims, abnormal keloid scars, teeth that might cause future problems with oral hygeine, those are understandable.

I'm not against people getting procedures done either, but if you end up looking a bit like Joan Rivers...something has definitely gone wrong.

Individually, I have no problems with cosmetic surgery. But the greater message, especially to young females (and males) is that looking good is the key to success and getting old is a bad thing.

Honestly, I think there's a lack of respect for what is natural that is the problem. And how good you look is linked to success. If a mother had plastic surgery for chin, nose, tummy tuck, brow lift and a breast enhancement...if that daughter grew up with seeing those, I don't think she will think much of it. But it makes it harder if the mother doesn't want her daughter to get breast surgery, how do you convince someone not to do the same thing you did?

For the most part, I think if people wanted to look good. Nutrition and exercise would be the best place to start, which most people neglect (myself included).

No Stars In My Eyes · Sep 6, 2011

Having "procedures" nowadays is like going out and buying a new t-shirt.

FLmomof5 · Sep 6, 2011

I started taking care of my skin when I was a teenager. Although I spent about 6 yrs overweight, I lost that weight back in 85 and am still 'fit'.

At just shy of 50, I am 5'4" and 120 lbs and most folks think I look 35ish. Why would I want to look younger?!?!? LOL BTW, I also had 5 children. I am blessed by good genes there because my hips returned to their original configuration and I have no belly stretch marks....flat tummy. Not too bad.

Taking care of yourself is so much cheaper than plastic surgery!

A final point: I was about 110 lbs until I hit perimenopause. A thin state most would "kill for". Fact is that it is hard to find clothes in a size 0 so shopping is NOT fun. But the most important point I would make is that being thin or having no grey hair (mine started greying about a year ago) or few wrinkles at an advanced age.....DOES NOT make you happy! That can only come from inside.

It is a sad fact that so many folks think that being thin or looking younger will make them happy. It just isn't so.

WorldTravelingYogi · Sep 7, 2011

...
It is a sad fact that so many folks think that being thin or looking younger will make them happy. It just isn't so.

I beg to differ. I am a much, much happier person when I am thinner. I have a lot more self confidence and i put myself out there more.

I am 40 years old, 5'5.5" and now weigh 175 which I carry very well as I excercise every day from yoga, to cycling, to surfing, to swimming, to Capoeira, to weekly salsa lessons and soon roller derby and anything else I can try. So no one ever guesses I am 175 but the last time I lost weight I got down to 125 which is too thin but 140 is good. I know at that weight I will have a lot more self confidence and be comfortable enough to put myself out there dating wise.

Being thinner most definitely makes me happier.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 7, 2011

Well looking good does make me happy, so I'll keep it up. I have had some major body work done, and some minor work on my face (botox, juvaderm and permanent make-up). I will likely get a total face lift with in the next 10 years. I am going to have my eyelids and chin tucked next summer. I am consideirng some lipo on my knees.

I routinely get routine facials, warm mud baths, massages, mani-pedi's, hair cuts & color, Brazilian blow-out, and waxing. I also run 10-12 miles 4-5 days a week, bike 20-30 miles on the weekends, do crew, pilates, yoga 2-3x weekly, and work w/ a personal trainer for body sculpting 3x/week, and meditate daily. I take care of myself. I look and feel great. Looking and feeling this good does make me happy. Other people should do what makes them happy and stop concerning themselves with me, lol. After all, I don't give you or your health & beauty maintenance routine a moment's thought. Why should you be any different?