Would you ever consider having Cosmetic surgery...

last september i had gastric bypass surgery, and my body form has changed dramatically. as i've lost the weight, and exercised, (fairly faithfully for the last 3 months) my muscle layers under the very lose skin are firming up nicely, but the loose skin looks and feels awful. i'm planning on having the skin on my upper arms, stomach, hips and thighs and buttocks removed, possibly next year, a breast reduction, but no implants though, i'm a mammographer, and i realize how difficult it is to get good breast images. i also want a face/jaw lift so i look as good as i feel inside. the gastric bypass surgery has saved my life, without it, i really believe that i would have died from the co-morbidities at an early age. as a very heavy woman for years the taunts, judgements and plain rude comments and stares from many ignorant people have been hurtful. i have the opportunity now to change my external self to the always there internal self, so i'll go for it.

I would, but it would be to fix the disgusting scar on my back left by a stupid intern that jabbed me with surgical scissors when I was 4 months old. It's hideous and I'm extremely self-conscious of it. I can't wear low-cut panties or jeans or bathing suits... I would love to be able to wear hip huggers. :(

I see nothing wrong with a few nips and tucks here and there if it helps you to feel better about yourself. I'm actually pretty satisfied with my features, so I would not have surgery on any of those. But, I don't see a problem with those who do. To each their own and everything in moderation. Yeah, I agree that Barbie woman is a few screws shy and has some serious issues.

BUT, if I could afford it and was a good candidate for it, I would have liposuction in a second. Sorry, but it's the truth!! More realistically, I'm on Jenny Craig and working out - so I'm going to lose weight the good way :).

And a lot of you youngsters may indeed change your mind as you grow older. I know you think you're set in your decision now, but things change.......

And of course, there is a definite difference in surgery for vanity's sake (still I see no problem with it) and surgery out of necessity.

And I want to stress I'm for cosmetic surgery in MODERATION. One nose job and one face lift is moderate. But the people who have surgery after surgery!!! That's a disease.

Tonya, we'll keep you in our prayers :) You're a strong woman!

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Originally posted by buckner
Sure, if I had the money or the guts, I'd get cosmetic surgery. I've never been happy with the way I looked. Even when I was considered "skinny", I wasn't happy with the way I looked. My body, my hips, my legs, my face, my nose, etc. The thing I've been hoping for most in my life, ever since I was a little girl, is that they came out with some miracle surgery to fix my ears. I'd give anything to have normal ears that function properly without ear tubes. I hate being different, and having so many people ask "what're those?" when I'm swimming.. at least, trying. I've never been able to swim. :/ That's not cosmetic surgery.. but I'd give anything to have that. Oh well.. I'll just keep hoping.

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Oh, buckner, I am bawling right now. My son, Jaden, never had a (noticable) ear infection in his life. But, he never seemed to pay attention. I took him to his doctor time and time again and told her that I thought he couldn't hear. She told me "Get used to it, he'll be ignoring your for another 18 years."

Finally, when he was 3, his preschool teacher said "You know, Tonya, I don't think he's intentionally being bad...I don't think he can hear. I think he is reading lips."

So I changed doctors and insisted on a hearing test. In the doctors office, they don't have a way of testing really, so Jaden passed the standard test. Then, they sent him to an old fart audiologist. The guy got frustrated and said "This kid needs discipline, he can hear."

Finally, we got him to a child audiologist who would have him drop blocks in the bucket when he heard sounds and things like that. I could tell that Jaden was truly enjoying himself, so I knew the results wouldn't be fudged.

I bawled my eyes out during that test. I hated myself for all those times I lost my cool because he "wasn't listening". I hated myself for not being more persistant. I hated myself because he was now behind his age group socially. I hated myself for all those times he had stitches and staples from falling. (His equilibrium was affected.) His motor skills were behind.

Well, they told me that it was fluid build up. His ear drums may be damaged, but maybe not.

Well, fastforward to today...He is seven years old and they have had to replace his tubes a few times. And he's lost his hearing a few more times since he was three. He loves swimming and begs to be in swim lessons. Yet, everytime I let him swim, no matter how well we put the plugs in and his headband, he winds up with a horrible infection. His ears literally drain like a faucet.

He's at that age now, where he is becoming a bit self conscious. He is really bothered that he has to wear funny stuff when he swims. He's embarrassed because he can't dive to the bottom of the pool like the rest of the kids. He's always asking me when he won't have to wear tubes and his ears will be normal.

It breaks my heart because I really don't know if his ears ever will be normal. I wish that is was me instead of him. Anyways, sorry to ramble. Your post just really hit home.

:(

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Originally posted by Tonya
Oh, buckner, I am bawling right now. My son, Jaden, never had a (noticable) ear infection in his life. But, he never seemed to pay attention. I took him to his doctor time and time again and told her that I thought he couldn't hear. She told me "Get used to it, he'll be ignoring your for another 18 years."

Finally, when he was 3, his preschool teacher said "You know, Tonya, I don't think he's intentionally being bad...I don't think he can hear. I think he is reading lips."

So I changed doctors and insisted on a hearing test. In the doctors office, they don't have a way of testing really, so Jaden passed the standard test. Then, they sent him to an old fart audiologist. The guy got frustrated and said "This kid needs discipline, he can hear."

Finally, we got him to a child audiologist who would have him drop blocks in the bucket when he heard sounds and things like that. I could tell that Jaden was truly enjoying himself, so I knew the results wouldn't be fudged.

I bawled my eyes out during that test. I hated myself for all those times I lost my cool because he "wasn't listening". I hated myself for not being more persistant. I hated myself because he was now behind his age group socially. I hated myself for all those times he had stitches and staples from falling. (His equilibrium was affected.) His motor skills were behind.

Well, they told me that it was fluid build up. His ear drums may be damaged, but maybe not.

Well, fastforward to today...He is seven years old and they have had to replace his tubes a few times. And he's lost his hearing a few more times since he was three. He loves swimming and begs to be in swim lessons. Yet, everytime I let him swim, no matter how well we put the plugs in and his headband, he winds up with a horrible infection. His ears literally drain like a faucet.

He's at that age now, where he is becoming a bit self conscious. He is really bothered that he has to wear funny stuff when he swims. He's embarrassed because he can't dive to the bottom of the pool like the rest of the kids. He's always asking me when he won't have to wear tubes and his ears will be normal.

It breaks my heart because I really don't know if his ears ever will be normal. I wish that is was me instead of him. Anyways, sorry to ramble. Your post just really hit home.

:(

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My story is similar.

When I was born, my eustacion tubes were not fully developed. Normal drainage that runs down the back of your throat couldn't do that in me. So, it just backed up. Therefore, leaving me deaf. When I was 2 (give or take a few months), my mom realized that I wasn't hearing properly. My grandmother was scared to death that the daycare would punish me for not being able to here.. but they didn't.

My mom took me to the doctor, and he turned out to be a total jerk-off. Three months later, she walked out. We found an extraordinary specialist that I've been with for 14 years. Within 15 minutes of seeing me interact with toys in the playroom, he immediately knew why I couldn't hear and what was wrong. I've gone through 2 sets of regular ear tubes, and this current set (my third set) is permanant.

As a side note, before I continue on, if you were at an ENT specialist, they should've had their own room/section for an audiologist. My place does, and always have. The test should be hearing for faint tones.

No matter what, I'm not allowed to get water in my ears. Most people don't have what I have, and what Jaden has - which is direct access of water to the middle/inner ear. When water does get there, it hurt likes no other. Ear infections rise in every case, and in mine, I eventually go back deaf because it's all "backed up" again. I've gone several pairs of specially made ear plugs, probably about 8 or so in 14 years.

I have to say, the stares and questions don't go away. And the self-consciousness doesn't ever go away, because you just wish you were normal. But, it's just something I've learned to deal with. Don't be hard on yourself for not knowing or catching it early. Jaden will soon learn that his ear problem is a part of him, and there's nothing that he can do to change it.

The only thing I would like to have done is Lasik surgery for my eyes--I can't even imagine how cool it would be to wake up in the morning and not have to fumble around for my glasses to see what time it is. I wear contacts, but I would just love to avoid all of it completely.
Other than that, what you see is what you get--I've no desire to change my body in any way.

Tonya,

My son had horrible ear infections from birth. He had two sets of tubes in his ears and his adnoids removed by the time he was two years old. It was a constant battle with ear drops, antibiotics, doctor's appointments, etc. for years. He had a moderate speech impediment until he was five years old, simply because he could not hear others or himself speak clearly enough to make the proper sounds. He was constantly in trouble in daycare. It was a nightmare.

However, he is now thirteen years old and has not had an ear infection for years. His tubes are out, and his hearing and speech are normal. So do not panic! Jaden will most likely grow out of this and be just fine.

And here's a hint for swimming: Buy the wax ear plugs. Soften them up by running them under hot water, dry them off, dry his ear canal with a tissue and insert them. They will mold to the shape of his ear, and the cold pool water will set the shape. They stay in much better than anything else.

Oh, twister! Thank you so much! I never thought to warm the plugs up first! He also wears a Speedo headband to kind of keep them in. I really hope that his ears get better. I am glad to hear that your son's did. It gives me hope.

p.s. They removed Jaden's adnoids last time too.

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Originally posted by lovemyshiba
The only thing I would like to have done is Lasik surgery for my eyes--I can't even imagine how cool it would be to wake up in the morning and not have to fumble around for my glasses to see what time it is. I wear contacts, but I would just love to avoid all of it completely.
Other than that, what you see is what you get--I've no desire to change my body in any way.

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Ditto. I'd just love to be able to see perfectly. I love looking at the world, even when it's blurry to me. I think the clouds are the most beautiful thing in the world.


Eyesight really is something special. When I had my contacts in yesterday... Being able to see some things clearly for the first time was amazing.

I have to go back Saturday because they have to test my eyes again. Evidently it wasn't the right script because I can't see anything up close... but it was amazing how *vibrant* and sharp things were from far away..... how pink became BRIGHT pink, and the blurry road lines became straight, white lines.

The eye doctor said i'd be a perfect canidate for the Lasic surgery. I'd be a bit hiestant about getting it done... but I'd sure love to see "perfectly"....

I am so much afraid about surgery I only would have it for health reasons.

I had major brain surgery ten years ago and they cut along my hairline, took a bone triangle out of my front to come to the tumor. Then they put the triangle in again (with 3 metal cramps that show up under X-rays:D ) and put the skin over it again. This, without the boney thing, is what they do when they tighten your face skin. They cut through a facial nerve which grows back by a half cm per month. In my case it did not grow back completely and in moments like this when I think of it I feel that there is a place on top of my head in which I cannot feel.

I wouldn't want an effect like this just for my beauty- which will be gone anyway some day (maybe it is already ;)). Look at Cher- she postponed it a little but I think it isn't worth it.

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Originally posted by zippy-kat
If I could afford it, I'd do it in a heartbeat!

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I'm with Tonya on this one! :)

Never. I can't even watch The Swan or shows that show plastic surgery. I don't have the stomach for that and it would terrify me greatly to have anything done. I would never consider such a thing, unless of course it was for health issues or if I were in an accident, etc.

As for aging, I can never understand why people become so obsessed with how they look. Just be happy for who you are and enjoy life!

Lisa & Sash

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Originally posted by Tonya
Anyways, yes, I would consider having cosmetic surgery. In fact I already have a consultation April 21 2005 and surgery scheduled for June 2005. My entire family has been plagued with breast cancer on both sides. My mother's side of the family (including myself) have such dense breast tissue that mammograms do not work well. I have already had a few benign lumps removed from my breast which puts me at a higher risk. My grandmother and my mother has already had a masectomy and has had her breasts replaced with implants. Insurance payed for most of it. After the baby is born, and I am doing the same.

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I just have a little prayer request regarding this. My work has put me on an unpaid leave of absence possibly without benefits. I have to be off during my pregnancy, and because of that, I will most deffinatly not have free benefits by the time this surgury comes. I will be paying for my benefits and/or my surgury. To make a long story short, we can't afford for me to be off of work for a year AND pay for benefits AND pay for surgury. We've put our timeshare up for sale. Please pray that it sells because this is the only time that I can get this surgury done. The only other time I would get excused time off of work for this would be when I actually have breast cancer.

Tonya sweetheart, I really hope with all my heart your timeshare sells and you get a good price, I know how important this surgery is to you, and understand why you feel it necessary to go ahead with it, it is a huge step that you have not undertaken lightly, and I admire your courage, and can only wish that everything works out well so you can afford it.

My thoughts are with you, fingers and all paws crossed here for a speedy sale.:)

The only thing would do is the lasik surgery as well, but I'm scared that if I have it done It'll go wrong and I'll be blind forever :rolleyes: LOL... Yeah I know...

I dislike myself (i am trying to be nice :o), but I don't think i would go in for cosmetic surgery because after everyone goes in then everyones like oh your so beautiful and i don't think i would want that. I mean I think i am ugly and all, but i don't think i would want to go through with that. I have avoided social situations because i don't like the way i look, but i don't think i could do THAT!

I like myself the way I am. I'm not going under the knife anytime soon.

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Originally posted by Tonya
I just have a little prayer request regarding this. My work has put me on an unpaid leave of absence possibly without benefits. I have to be off during my pregnancy, and because of that, I will most deffinatly not have free benefits by the time this surgury comes. I will be paying for my benefits and/or my surgury. To make a long story short, we can't afford for me to be off of work for a year AND pay for benefits AND pay for surgury. We've put our timeshare up for sale. Please pray that it sells because this is the only time that I can get this surgury done. The only other time I would get excused time off of work for this would be when I actually have breast cancer.

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You can count on prayers being delivered! I can't belive all of this mess that you have to go through. :( Also, I'm not far away if you need moral support when the time comes for surgery! The power of PT support is really an incredible thing! ;)

As far as the cosmetic surgery thing, I agree with the majority of folks here. I don't believe in it, unless it's for a medical reason. I've known several women who have gotten breast reductions, and have felt so much better after that (no back pain, headaches...etc). Poor things! Even Lasik surgery helps people see better. Things like that are OK IMO.

I'll admit. I hate the way I look. I think I'm ugly...but I wouldn't get plastic surgery, because that's just it. It's a fact that no normal human being can look like what they will look like after plastic surgery. It's not natural and it's sad that the media has put such an emphasis on appearance that so many people (especially women) feel bad about the way they look. I admit, I'm one of them. I'm not tall, anorexically skinny and with perfect skin. I'm fat, short and ugly. Sometimes I joke about getting liposuction (sp?), but I would never do it. Yuk!
Oh well....that's how God wanted me to look, so I've just learned to accept it. :o

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wolflady
I'll admit. I hate the way I look. I think I'm ugly... /QUOTE]

That is ABSOLUTELY not true! Karen you are beautiful with a radiant smile that can light up a room and I love you just the way you are. So there!;) :D

[QUOTE]Originally posted by slick

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Originally posted by wolflady
I'll admit. I hate the way I look. I think I'm ugly... /QUOTE]

That is ABSOLUTELY not true! Karen you are beautiful with a radiant smile that can light up a room and I love you just the way you are. So there!;) :D

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:o
Thanks slick! I actually got tears in my eyes from reading this...
**hugs**
Karen

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Originally posted by wolflady
I'll admit. I hate the way I look. I think I'm ugly...but I wouldn't get plastic surgery, because that's just it.

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Me too. I avoid mirrors, but because I have three teenaged daughters, I try not to harp too much on how I hate myself. :o They know they're all beautiful and I don't want my negativity rubbing off on them.

Nope!I wouldnt just b/c of some of the horrible things that have happened to people. and im confident with my looks,other than i need to loose some weight:p ,which ive already lost 2 lbs,lol.
but no i would never get it

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Originally posted by wolflady
As far as the cosmetic surgery thing, I agree with the majority of folks here. I don't believe in it, unless it's for a medical reason. I've known several women who have gotten breast reductions, and have felt so much better after that (no back pain, headaches...etc). Poor things! Even Lasik surgery helps people see better. Things like that are OK IMO.

I'll admit. I hate the way I look. I think I'm ugly...but I wouldn't get plastic surgery, because that's just it. It's a fact that no normal human being can look like what they will look like after plastic surgery. It's not natural and it's sad that the media has put such an emphasis on appearance that so many people (especially women) feel bad about the way they look. I admit, I'm one of them. I'm not tall, anorexically skinny and with perfect skin. I'm fat, short and ugly. Sometimes I joke about getting liposuction (sp?), but I would never do it. Yuk!
Oh well....that's how God wanted me to look, so I've just learned to accept it. :o

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Hey, you big liar! I met you so you can't fool me. ;) You are not ugly at all! You are beautiful and you're a wonderful person which makes you even better. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I think everyone always wants to be something different. The tall women want to be short, the short want to be tall. The petite want to be curvy, the curvy women want to be petite. We all need to except and love who we are because we are all beautiful in our own unique way. I don't think there's an ugly person out there. The only people I've ever met that I thought were ugly were the ones with nasty personalities.

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Originally posted by carole
I would be interested to hear from our fellow California PT members, Gini, and Richard to name two, does nearly everyone have a fake something in LA? being the hollywood capital, isn't it just the norm there.?,correct me if I am wrong please!!no offense mean't here.

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I don't live near Hollywood (I'm about 7hrs north from it!), but I've been down to SoCal a few times and I have friends and family down there, and no one that I know of has gotten anything fake, nor anyone that they know of... I may be wrong though, but from my perspective, that is somewhat of a stereotype... Not everyone here has something fake! lol

Gosh, reading through this, there are quite a few of you that have called yourselves ugly. That hurts my heart. Please don't say that about yourself. Think about what you love about yourself and focus on that. No one is perfect!

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Originally posted by Tonya
Hey, you big liar! I met you so you can't fool me. ;) You are not ugly at all! You are beautiful and you're a wonderful person which makes you even better. Don't be so hard on yourself.

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I agree with Tonya!! :D Omg, you're not ugly at all!!!! lol You're so pretty and you also have a great smile (and a great personality)! :D

I'm the ugly one! haha:p

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Originally posted by Tonya
Gosh, reading through this, there are quite a few of you that have called yourselves ugly. That hurts my heart. Please don't say that about yourself. Think about what you love about yourself and focus on that. No one is perfect!

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Oops! LOLL ::halo:: I didn't see your post when I posted mine.. Hmm.. what I love about myself? Ummmm nothing. :p Haha okay fine.. I'll stop... *shuts up* :X

I know beauty is supposedly supposed to be within one's self but in this day & age......society in GENERAL makes it an issue to be beautiful, thin, sexy, etc.
So, with that being said "no I don't have the money but if I did", I'd get lasik eye surgery, possible breast implants, lypo. (maybe) (but I know that's NOT an instant solution, you still have to work out & watch your diet), I'd like to look better overall!!
There are things I could change if I tried & things that are not so easy to change (like emotions).
I think that it is each individuals right to feel good about themselves & if cosmetic change is what they want.....go for it, who am I to judge?!
I don't know that I care for the shows all that much though.
My niece made a comment awhile ago saying "oh Tina I'm fat, I need to lose weight" (she's only 12 & beautiful in my eyes). I asked her why she'd say that & she commented on "all those shows" she & her friends see on tv & asked if that's all people care about....is looks? How do you answer that?:confused:
TiNa