Plastic Beauty...?

Jul 5, 2011

Laura K.

This is a semi-controversial topic.I am only 24 and I already see imperfections here and there (smile wrinkles, wrinkles underneath my eyes ect.) Am I going to go out and get restelyn injected into my face, no. But I am not going to lie and say that I haven't thought about it. 2 years ago I went to a plastic surgeons office because i wanted lip injections ( i think that my top lip is not proportional to my bottom) I did not wind up getting the injections because I had an overall strange feeling about this particular surgeon (as soon as I sat in the chair he started to pick out other imperfections in my face i.e. my smile lines, now I know this is his job but I was only 22 years old?! It just weirded me out) . But I have thought about it in the recent days. In today's world I feel that there is so much pressure on women (and men) to look a certian way- almost to not age (which is impossible- because those who go overboard look even worse than they would have if they were to age naturally) So this brings me to my question...Plastic surgery for beauty purposes- How far is too far?

Jul 5, 2011

Lauren C.

i think people just should do what makes them feel best about themselves. if it means getting a boob lift because she's had 3 kids and is unhappy with her boobs, then by all means, do it!

Jul 5, 2011

Laura K.

I agree, how do you feel about facial work though, now a days it feels like they're are more women with breast implants than not. But what about facial work or injections? So you think they're should be an age restriction? 

Jul 5, 2011

Lauren C.

well i don't think that the plastic surgeon has any legal right to refuse a patient just because she is less than a certain age (as long as she's over 18). but, i do think people should give it a few years of thinking about doing before committing (for more permanent procedures, not just fillers)

I've never had anything done, but I don't really see anything wrong with fillers i guess

Jul 5, 2011

Laura K.

I'll be 25 in August, and people tend to criticize me when I say I want injectables for my smile lines- I'm not talking about a face lift here, i just don't like the way it looks. So it is good to hear that I am not alone in my thinking. Thank you for your input girls :)

Jul 6, 2011

Soma S.

I say do it if it makes you wake up with a smile on your face! I was scarred by seeing my mom do it to herself when I was young... so growing up, I was against anything artificial, and learned to embrace my natural features after seeing my mom lay there in pain in awkward sleeping positions after numerous procedures to maintain the work she had done. I preached to my friends knowing they were unhappy, but they went and did it anyways...

My tune changed when I saw what a difference it made in their lives to see them happy with themselves for once! Is it sad that certain opportunities in life had opened their doors to them after this? Maybe. Did their personality shine through and help them attain what it was they wanted? Most definitely, with that smile on their face. Will I consider it for myself? Probably not until things start sagging south... if you know what I mean... =P

What do you consider an evasive procedure though? One nose job = 2-3 mos. healing time... Braces = 2-5 years of constant maintenance and mild pain... [mine were AWFULLY painful... and my only "cosmetic" procedure] If you think about it, there's really no big difference between the two, and you're technically STILL jumping through hoops of pain to make yourself "better".

So open your mind to things that can make people happy! If someone says they've been brainwashed to think that's the only thing that can make them happy, I probably wouldn't deny them of it. If they get addicted to anything, it's up to them to know the difference between reasonable and irrational.

If I were brainwashed into thinking I were a zombie with a penchant for brain, you can throw a cow brain my way and I'd probably be happy... but if it got too far, and I started wanting human brain - you can say, "That's CRAZY-TALK!" then shoot me with a double-tap. Hahah... this IS crazy-talk. It's the heat.

Stay limber, everyone!  =P

Jul 6, 2011

Tamara R.

At the end of the day, you ought to do what makes you comfortable. Personally though, I would consider that if you're bothered by wrinkles in your early 20's.. you've got a lot of life left to be using injections as a beauty crutch.

I was reading an article earlier this week about young women getting "preventative injections". The surgeons suggested that the obsession with youth has undergone a surge recently. So long as people are making well informed decisions, I don't really concern myself. However, there was a comment made that expression lines while you're making an expression is quite normal and that wrinkles should only be addressed if they're present while the face is relaxed. That idea bothered me a bit. I guess that flawless face looks good in photos, but expressions are such a key part of communicating.. it's disturbing when people don't emote.

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/wrinkle-prevention-botox-dysport-young-people-1661/

Jul 6, 2011

Angela W.

If you want to do it for yourself I say go for it... it's ok to want to look good!

Jul 6, 2011

Erica H.

I think too far is when you wind up looking like your Joan River's or Heidi Montag's twin.

Jul 6, 2011

Laura K.

@Soma that was an awesome response- i never thought about it like the braces (that a was also my only "cosmetic" experience myself lol) But you are so right!
@Tamara that was an interesting article, thank you for sharing!

Jul 6, 2011

Justyne L.

I say if you are really unhappy with something I think its fine but when it's a little imperfection you shouldn't feel the need to have surgery for it, you can reduce wrinkles w/o it. Too far would be changing yourself to much and feeling that plastic surgery is always the answer.

Jul 6, 2011

Jackee M.

I think you should do what makes you happy as others have mentioned, but don't go as far as getting everything so tight that you can no longer express anything other than a Surprised Look on your face. That is not a cute look! :)

Jul 6, 2011

Laura K.

lol @Jackee you are so right that is def not a cute look 

Jul 6, 2011

Jackee M.

HA!! Glad I made you laugh!  

Jul 7, 2011

Stormy S.

My opinion is, if it makes you feel better about yourself, then do it! I'm about to be 20 years old and about 2 weeks after my 18th birthday (which was after I graduated high school), I got a breast augmentation. I was always uncomfortable with myself, my body wasn't proportional, and I would never go swimming with any of my friends in high-school because I was so self conscious... Everyone told me that it didn't matter but to me it did.
What I'm trying to say is, do it for YOU and what makes YOU happy, not what you think will look good to other people. When I wake up in the morning, I am happy and I feel sooo much better about myself now. If getting something small here and there is going to make you feel better about yourself, then do it! Plus, botox or lip injections fade after time... My mom got lip injections the day of my surgery and they faded in about 6 to 9 months, I believe. If you want to get it done once and see how it looks then at least you can go back to normal after time if you don't like it. :) (well, the botox and lip injections, I mean.) lol

Jul 7, 2011

Andrea C.

i'm 16 and i have had 3 procedures (2 of which were 100% medically necessary) i had 2 nose surgeries 1 to fix a deviated septum and shape my nose more and a second nose surgery to fix the 1st one i also had lip injections to fix my lip after it got messed up from the nose surgeries. all together all my procedures cost $90,000 along with another $24,000 to laser the scars from my nose jobs. i hate the way i look now i look so fake its not even funny and if i could take it all back i would my doctor was a jerk and tlked to me for literally 20 minutes in all of my appointments combined. if you don't need plastic surgery don't get it try and see the beauty in yourself.

Jul 7, 2011

Alyssa R.

My personal preference is to stay as natural as possible. If I don't ABSOLUTELY need to get anything done surgically, then I won't bother. Now, I don't mean to offend anyone when I say that. I agree with the many others on here that if YOU feel like you are unhappy with something about yourself, then by all means, change it. YOU are the one who has to live with it, why wouldn't you make yourself happy? In my opinion, I feel a lot of ladies (and gents) today have this thing in their mind where they see what isn't there. I do it to myself all the time. What matters is if you can look past it. Most of the time we tend to pick at the small things about ourselves and we need to ask...is it REALLY worth it? I tend to be unhappy with my breast size for example. I feel they are unproportional to the rest of my body (larger). I've thought of reduction surgery but I'm terrified of all the stories I've heard and people have told me I should embrace what "I've been blessed with." yeah, easy for you to say when shopping for the right clothes to not make me look fat AND not make me look slutty at the same time. Bottom line, think first. Think long and hard. If you REALLY need it, then get it. But if you aren't ready for injections now and for years to come with touch-ups and such, I'd reconsider. 

Jul 7, 2011

Gabbie M.

It comes down to something very simple... Do what makes YOU happy.

Jul 7, 2011

Laura K.

thank you everyone for the input :) i love reading everyones experience and opinions :) 

Jul 8, 2011

Drea L.

I have nothing against plastic surgery. If I feel like I need a lil here & there eventually, then I just might do it. Though I've learned from living in Los Angeles & seeing so many train wrecks that at a certain age, it's best to age gracefully & not try to have lips like a 18 year old when you're 55. haha

I'm going to do anything that makes me happy - luckily I have a life partner that will give me a 2nd opinion about things just so I would never go over board or do something I truly don't need.
In the end, if I cam afford a breast lift in my late 30's, then hell yeah I'm gonna do it! lol

Jul 19, 2011

Marianna K.

I can honestly admit that I am 21 and had a Rhinoplasty 2 years ago. I just had a small revision done on my tip two days ago. I did it purely for myself and even though it seems like I did it at such a young age, I am happy and like Andrea said above; I am going to do anything that makes me happy.

I made a blog post about the revision and my experience if you want to take a look:

http://mariannakbeauty.blogspot.com/

I got so much criticism when I went ahead with the procedure that now I just block out any criticism of my actions that is not constructive (and surprisingly most of the time it isn't).
And Laura that plastic surgeon definitely did not sound right!! It is definitely not their job to point out other flaws. Sometimes when it comes to a full on cosmetic procedure like breast augmentation or a nose job they may suggest a few different techniques and areas that may be targeted to get a better result but never to the extent that you described and definitely not when you go for lip fillers.
It took me a year to find a surgeon I trust, the first guy I went to see started pressurizing me into the procedure rather than giving me advice and a medical opinion.

I would consider plastic surgery again if I am willing to go through the stress and anticipation of the final result again. Maybe a slight breast enlargement but I don't think I would go for lipo or a face lift any time soon.

Jul 19, 2011

Myrna P.

Honey we all go through it; just do the best you can to take care of yourself. A lil help from the surgeon wont hurt if it isnt overdone. I hate seeing someone that looks so fake 

Jul 19, 2011

Evelyn B.

I think you should do what makes you feel comfortable.. But at the same time if your not comfortable in your own skin getting plastic surgery wont change that. It will just hide it for a few, but in the long run you will realize that the problem is still there. 

Jul 19, 2011

Laura K.

Thank you so much for your input Marianna, it is brave of you to share your story with others- People are always on the attack- and it must have been hurtful, but you seem strong- and your nose looks great btw :) so I say good for you girl!

Aug 2, 2011

Marianna K.

Thank you so much for your kind words :D <3 I just always believed people should do what makes them happy and you should look out for yourself over everyone else. Thanks again :D xxx