“Sure, I’ll get my tubes tied!” I joked, “So long as while I’m under, they also do a boob job, tummy tuck and then liposuction the jello off my thighs.”
(Photo credit: Vanity Fair)
I’ve been thinking about plastic surgery lately. Granted, we would never be able to afford it, and even if we could I don’t know if I could rationalize the expense. But what if someone offered to pay for it? And you could be guaranteed that you wouldn’t die or suffer any freaky complications, like exploding implants, in the future? Would you do it then?
That’s what I’ve been grappling with, the ethics of it.
I just watched the Louis Theroux documentary on this topic and it was so intriguing. Before viewing it, I was,admittedly, of the thought that if someone were to finance the surgery (a wealthy benefactor who felt the world would be a better place if I were no longer able to tuck my boobs into the front pockets of my jeans) then I would totally go for it. But after watching others’ experience with plastic surgery and seeing how warped their views of their own bodies can become through the process in the pursuit for perfection, I am feeling a little more at peace with my floppy tummy flap thingie and sagging lady lumps.
My tummy is soft because it stretched three times to house our beautiful girls, my breasts hang because I used them to feed those same girls and I think that there is beauty to be found in the so-called imperfections we accumulate as we age. They tell the story of who we are.
Of course there is also the message that plastic surgery sends to our children to consider. If we are striving for physical perfection ourselves, they are going to fall right into the same vanity trap and we are perpetuating the cycle of unattainable body ideals.
For now, Spanx, push-up bras and one-piece bathing suits provide all the lifting and tucking I’m looking for.
What about you? Would you ever have plastic surgery or are you morally opposed to it?
lol!
Jenn,
I’m so glad you wrote this. I’m really interested in getting a tummy tuck. I’m so glad all went well for you. After having my second child I will surely be getting mine done. It does scare me quite a bit though! You definatly made me feel better about it! Thanks 🙂
II got a new and interesting perspective on this, thanks — very directly — to http://www.urbanmoms.ca and Jen Maier.
Yesterday, I was under the knife in an operating room at the Ottawa Hospital. See this: http://www.urbanmoms.ca/moms_the_word/2011/06/making-an-impact-can-blogging-save-lives.html. I was getting what I hope is any extra cancer cells cut out of my shoulder. Cancer was discovered when I had a suspicious mole removed, after reading one of Jen’s stories. Yesterday’s cutter, who looked like he should have been in my son’s Grade 9 class, was a plastic surgeon who also does cosmetic procedures and pediatric cranial reconstruction. I asked about the work with kids and intimated that it might be more rewarding than facelifts etc.
He said not necessarily. He said you’d be surprised how ordinary cosmetic patients are, how the vast majority only want one procedure done, that’s it, and how transformative it is for them. He looked me in the eye, all seriousness, and said, “It makes them happy and makes their lives better.”
I don’t have an extra-large nose or a very pronounced chin. If I did, I might really want it fixed. Besides the extreme cases and people with other life issues, this doctor said most people just want to correct something and live well.
I had a tummy tuck last summer – it was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself!! My confidence went WAYYY up, I felt great and I look great! I STRONGLY recommend it although it was VERY painful for the first 3 weeks then tapered off till 6 weeks later there was no pain at all. It is nearly a year later and you can hardly see the scar, Im super happy and so is my husband!!!
Breast reduction – yes. Nose job – no. I think the older I get the more I appreciate the things on me that make me unique. I am always critical of myself – way more than other people are, but still age has actually helped me to appreciate all the different ages and how they have changed my structure.
I would do it. That being said, I have 36E breasts, and man would I love them to be where they were pre-kiddos. At 28 it’s a wee bit depressing being saggy. And yeah, mommy belly… I would also get fixed up. Maybe that’s because I’m single now and would love to rock a bikini… not just wear one and worry I look awful, but slam it out of the park I look AWESOME wear a bikini. Though, if it came down to fixing myself up, or taking the kids to DisneyWorld or something, the kids will win every time. However, if Sugar Daddy Supreme ever came along…. LOL I don’t think plastic surgery is about warped body image, if you have your head screwed on right to begin with. I wouldn’t ever do it to make someone else happy, I’d do it for my own confidence.
I can completely relate, after baby 2 I was left wondering if I would ever be the same. So the draw is definately there for so many of us and so readily accepted now which makes it harder to say no. But I also think that you have to have some love for yourself to be a candiate becuase you’ll never really love yourself no matter how you try to “look” the part which really, in turn illiminates the whole thing almost! I can’t help but want to make a recommendation though too, since I’m commenting, as the topic totally grabbed my attention…I found a solution that worked for me, and although I was skeptical, became a quick believer as there is other new alternatives being explored every day. If you have ever heard of something called the Ultimate Body Applicator by It Works! Global, it really works to help tighten tone and firm. It is a cloth applicator that has a product infused on. You apply it wherever you want and leave the product soak in to your skin for 45 minutes. It repairs skin tone, detoxifies the and metabolizes the fat cells under the skin. I’ve seen it work for skin slacking, stretch marks and inch loss. Its a wonder on cellulite too. Anyone who is considering plasitc surgery hasn’t tried enough other options yet becuase there are SO many fabulous new products out there! I’d be happy to tell anyone more! Just connect with me on my blog! http://www.triplethreatmom or on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/haveugotit.
Nope…never.
I have several friends with fake boobs. And they look FAKE.
I have always wished my lips were fuller, but I’d never fill them.
My nose was broken in high school and it’s a little crooked and beak-like, but I’d never get it fixed. Too afraid.
I won’t even get fake nails put on…
Yep, I pretty much line up with the rest of the commenters and yourself – I’m intrigued and occasionally think it would be tempting if one could be guaranteed no bad side effects or botch jobs, but then… Put myself through major surgery for what? Remember when we were young and not all stretched out and we still thought we were so imperfect? it’s never going to be perfect, and maybe that’s fine. I also think it sends a weird message about acceptance and aging and our kids (and us) get enough of that from this world we live in. Maybe I don’t need to be part of that, but keep trying to learn clever camouflage techniques with good bras and well-shaped clothing.
I agree with Julie on the breast reduction end of things. Other wise – its not for me. I’ve just seen too many botched jobs – you CAN transform your body with diet and exercise – we’ve seen it time and time again…..that being said -I don’t judge people who choose to – I just wouldn’t.
i support breast reduction as i’ve had a couple of friends whose lives changed for the better after having it done. but i’m happy the way i am. my tummy skin is a little saggy but i’ve had 2 kids! i think attitude, exercise, and diet play so much into how one looks and feels.
You know, I’ve been thinking about getting a boob job, off and on, for a couple of years. I would never actually do it – I could not handle the recovery time. Lying around in bed, not being able to lift my kids, cancelling my training schedule – all for the sake of my BOOBS? Um, no. But every once in awhile, I catch my overworked girls in the mirror and think…. Well, sometimes I think it would be nice if they didn’t look quite so tired 🙂
I don’t think I ever would either. And I’m not so morally against it – some forms of surgery really do boost a person’s self-esteem – but in the boobie-lifting, Botoxing, lipo-suctioning world, for vanity sake? I just can’t get into it. I want my face to move when I talk. And I’d rather invest in better bras than have bad scarring and weird-looking boobs for an old lady, one day… you know?
I had a breast reduction and it changed my life. I can totally see where plastic surgery becomes a slippery slope of expensive self-mutilation (there’s some crazy people watching to be had at the Dr.’s office! :)), but for me the surgery was 100% beneficial. I’d do THAT procedure again, in a heartbeat.
I am counting down the days until I can get a breast reduction. (when I am done breastfeeding our last child). I can’t wait to not have sore shoulders, back spasms, and to be able to wear normal bras and clothes! But I totally agree. I wouldn’t want to send the wrong message to my kids about body image. I think a reduction is different than an augmentation in that sense.
When i was in elementary school, i wanted nothing more than a nose job. Other kids would make fun of my nose constantly calling me ‘ski slope’. When high school hit, the focus turned from my nose to my flat-chest. I was teased with names like ‘brick wall’ or ‘ironing board’. I wanted a boob job so desperately. My desire for plastic surgery as a child and adolescent was not because i thought my own body was ugly…but simply because i didn’t like to be made fun of by stupid, mean kids who mocked others to hide their OWN insecurities.
I never ever would because it scares the tar out of me. I just couldn’t do it. As for the ethical part of it, I agree with you. I’m proud of my body and the scars it has from bearing and feeding my three girls. I’d only get something done if it was medically necessary. But, that’s just *my* opinion. 🙂
I could use a tummy tuck. No matter how hard I try, that skin will always be there.
But no.
For all the reasons you listed. The “why”s of it. The message it would send to my girls. The fakeness of it all.
So, nah. I’ll keep wearing the one piece bathing suit and oversized panties that hold it all in. 😉