Cosmetic Surgery

doeydo

Have you had any work done?  Do you ever want to?  If so, what?

BreMR

I've always been fairly small chested, even with a 20 pound weight gain after high school my boobs barely went up a cup size.. I would really LOVE to lose the 20 pounds and I assume my boobs will shrink, so I think I'd be open to getting a boob job.  My best friend just did it (post breast-feeding boobs made her sad) and they look amazing...

emmyg65

No and no. I used to think I might want a breast lift after I have kids and finish breast feeding, but then I read what it entailed. No thank you!!

Aside from the fact that I'm happy enough with my body, I have a lot of anxiety around medical procedures. So elective surgery isn't for me.

JCbride2015

Never had anything done and I probably won't.  I'll never say never, because I don't know how my body will change in the future and how I'll feel about it.  I'd probably be okay with doing lasers or injections.  Less okay with any surgical procedures.  I am large-chested so I won't rule out a breast lift one day, though.  My grandmother had one around the age of 60 and is still really happy with her results at the age of 77.

FiancB

I would really like to get lipo on my abdomen. I don't mind so much having some fat lower, but my belly fat is really stubborn. I suppose I wouldn't mind a breast lift in the future either. 

I don't know if I will ever want to take the recovery time or money to do it though. 

cupcait927

I'm planning on getting a boob job in the next few years. I've never been happy being small chested and would love to feel a little more comfortable in my body. I would also love to get a nose job but I don't know that I could handle the pain from that.

singinchick13

I've looked into liposuction, but you are supposed to be close to your ideal weight and just use it to target problem areas that are very difficult to get rid of with regular diet and exercise. The only real problem area for me is my tummy/love handles (thanks, DS) and with this many stretchmarks I will likely never look good in a bikini or otherwise midriff-bearing attire. For this reason it's probably not worth it for me to spend the money.

doeydo

I have a nose like Cindy Lou Who and a scar on my upper nose that is kind of an indent and blue coloured.  I have thought about getting those things 'fixed', but I probably won't.  I have a smaller butt compared to my hip size, I think, so I have also thought about buttock augmentation.  I probably won't ever go through with it, though.
I would love laser hair removal of my legs, pubic hair, and underarms. I would like liposuction on my thighs and stomach, or perhaps a tummy tuck.   I also have larger breasts and am open to having a lift in the future.

FiancB

I'm almost definitely going to do laser hair removal sooner than later. I see a lot of groupons for it for pretty cheap, and I am a hairy beast. My hair is dark which makes me ideal for it I guess- it doesn't work as well on blondes. 

KeptInStitches

About the only thing I'd have fixed is having my boobs "evened up." My left one is about a cup size bigger than the right.

phira

In terms of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, I'm in the research phase of a couple. I'd like to get laser hair removal on a few areas of my body (in a couple cases, electrolysis would be preferable, but it's even more expensive). I'd also like to get bonding on my front teeth, which are weirdly ridged and discolored from a fever I had while they were developing. The latter procedure is one I'd want done pre-wedding for sure, since it makes me feel insecure about smiling.

In terms of actual surgical procedures, I'd consider a breast lift. Not any time soon, but I assume within 10 years I'll be like damn girls, remember when you weren't saggy?

jenna8984

Nope & nope. I may not have Gisele's body but it's mine and I love it. 

I know this is generalizing and I'm only speaking about my personal friends, but everyone I know who got boobs done still have such low self esteem and they are the ones who wear 20 lbs of makeup and never feel pretty enough, or skinny enough (even though they are all gorgeous). It's sad, I wish they could just be happy with who they are. 

JennyColada

I like the idea of having slightly smaller and perkier boobs.

But in reality, I don't dislike any part of my body enough to spend thousands of dollars and hours of recovery to change it.

AddieCake

Yes, I got breast implants when I was 22. 

JennyColada

AddieCake said:

Yes, I got breast implants when I was 22. 

Holy crap. My eyes are tired and I read that as "12".

Ok, I can stop having a panic attack now...

daria24

I had my teeth fixed (bonded) because I could live with them being crooked, but the tetracycline staining was horrific. Yes, I think you need to love yourself for who you are, etc. But let me tell you, it was worth the money and it gave me a huge amount of confidence. I can accept my pudgy stomach, my oncoming wrinkles, etc. But having better teeth? No regrets.

I've also had laser hair removal which I have mixed feelings about. The results were pretty good but even after you are "finished" you still have to go back every 6-12 months and get zapped again. So it's not nearly as "permanent" as people think it is.

RebeccaB88

I would have every hair I have from the neck down lasered off tomorrow if I could.  

I had a boob reduction when I was 23, but I really consider it not cosmetic because they were damaging the nerves in my neck with their weight, so insurance paid and my dad picked up the rest. I had a lot of complications with the healing after, so I don't honestly think I'd do anything else.  

phira

daria24 said:

I had my teeth fixed (bonded) because I could live with them being crooked, but the tetracycline staining was horrific. Yes, I think you need to love yourself for who you are, etc. But let me tell you, it was worth the money and it gave me a huge amount of confidence. I can accept my pudgy stomach, my oncoming wrinkles, etc. But having better teeth? No regrets. I've also had laser hair removal which I have mixed feelings about. The results were pretty good but even after you are "finished" you still have to go back every 6-12 months and get zapped again. So it's not nearly as "permanent" as people think it is.

What was the bonding process like? If you don't mind me asking (you might mind, in which case, no worries!)

AddieCake

Jennycolada said:

AddieCake said:

Yes, I got breast implants when I was 22. 

Holy crap. My eyes are tired and I read that as "12".

Ok, I can stop having a panic attack now...

Nah....at 12 I was still hopeful that I would get boobs naturally.

freebread03

I haven't had any work done but I definitely would.  I'd get a boob job or lift when they are no longer perky (though now that I'm 30 I'm realizing they don't look as good as they did when I was 18!)  And I'd do facelift/necklift and other things to keep me looking younger as I age.  I have no qualms about that (though want to look natural, no Joan Rivers thing going on).

FiancB

jenna8984 said:

Nope & nope. I may not have Gisele's body but it's mine and I love it. 

I know this is generalizing and I'm only speaking about my personal friends, but everyone I know who got boobs done still have such low self esteem and they are the ones who wear 20 lbs of makeup and never feel pretty enough, or skinny enough (even though they are all gorgeous). It's sad, I wish they could just be happy with who they are. 

I think it definitely is important to go in with realistic expectations. I can definitely see that with someone with low confidence. For me, I am pretty confident and don't tie my self-worth into my body too much. I used to. But I'm definitely not the type that's scared to leave the house without makeup or that crumples into a heap if my pants don't fit. 

I feel it's a bit like this: I don't hate my brunette hair but wonder if I wouldn't look a little better with some highlights. Just a bit more of an extreme situation.

But yeah, definitely not good if you think it'll solve all your problems and make you go from hating yourself to loving yourself. Confidence is a lot more complicated than that. 

SmileDamnit

I haven't anything done, but I'm not opposed to it. I'd totally get a boob job if i had the money, it didn't hurt, and my FI didn't hate fake boobs. Until then, I'll just live vicariously through my padded bra. Oh, and I'd most definitely get laser hair removal…though I don't consider that cosmetic surgery, per se. My step sister-in-law got a face lift last year and is pleased as punch with the results. I kind of take a "what ever floats your boat" kind of thought process on it all.

kaos16

I got veneers as a wedding gift from my amazing dentist cousin. I really love how they turned out, although I refuse to bite into things with my front teeth now and have some paranoia that one will fall off..... That's all in my head.

Funny story about nose jobs...... I broke my nose a number of times and after that, on top of the deviated septum I was born with, breathing because close to nonexistent. I had to get it repaired. Obviously insurance covered the internal repair but I'll never forget the doctor telling me "you're such a pretty girl, besides your nose. Allow me to take some photos and show you how you can look." A week later I got a packet of photos in the mail with a note saying "when I was changing your nose I realized that your chin would look much stronger with an implant too. Let me know what you think." Way to send a girl's self esteem into a tailspin! I'll admit though, it was interesting seeing how I'd look with a different face and if was strange not looking like me. For the record, I didn't have anything done externally but I wish I still had the photos for a laugh!!

blabla89

I'm planning to get a brow lift in the next year or two. My eyebrows sit lower than most women's, and it gives me chronic bitchface. I'm not terribly unhappy with the way I look now, but I think that it will make a drastic, positive difference in how I look. I've interviewed multiple surgeons so I know all that it entails, and I'm ready to go forward just as soon as I've saved the money. I wish I could have it done before the wedding, because I hate the idea of looking like this on my wedding day, but I can't afford both the wedding and the surgery in the same year.

Funny story - when I was meeting with one surgeon, he sent me in to meet with his office manager to talk about financing and stuff. The office manager turned out to be his wife. She started telling me what a great surgeon he is and how she's had rhinoplasty, breast aug, lip injections and had everything lipo'd, and he did such an amazing job. Then she just smiled at me, and she had horrible teeth. I guess you can't fix everything.

theexactlee

I've mentioned this before, but I have a blog where I review product, entertainment and travel. I actually received free cosmetic surgery as a "review" item. I am a walking advertisement. LOL. I had a nose job, facial lipo and arm lipo. The nose job was the real deal though, it is all I really care about. OMG my nose was AWFUL and now it is so much better. I finally feel secure. 

I firmly believe that if you are uncomfortable in your skin you have every reason and right to change that. Just as you have every reason and right not to. We can't all have the self confidence to live with ourselves as is, it's a terrible truth. 

If you want a new nose, new breasts, some fat taken out of your face, arms, thighs (that hurts really bad though so prepare yourself) or whatever else, GO FOR IT and don't let anyone judge you. 

Also my doctor is amazing, his name is Dr. George Pope in Orlando.

theexactlee

Not sure if this will work, but going to try and post some pictures and info of my cosmetic surgery. My nose in the after pic was still big, it is about 1/4 of that size now. It looks really great. You should read my stuff because you can learn a ton first hand.

Before and After

Q&A about cosmetic surgery and common misconceptions

Scary Post Opp Pics

And here is a recent picture of me. Some of my fat face came back due to medication I'm on. It'll happen. It should go away quickly though if I stop the meds.

AprilH81

I had a breast reduction when I was 27.  My insurance covered most of it because of back pain and skin issues.

I am 5'3 and no matter how much weight I lost I was spilling out of a DD bra and when I didn't wear a bra my nipples were near my belly button.  I had back pain, shoulder dents from my bra strap and mild skin irritation under my breast due to the skin rubbing together.

The surgery went great, I healed fast and it wasn't that painful  24 hours after surgery and I only took Motrin to take the edge off the discomfort.  My scars are still a little red and I did lose sensitivity in my nipples, but the trade off is worth it.  My boobs were never perky and I didn't have much sensitivity to begin with due to the size.

My only concern is when I have kids I won't be able to breastfeed, but that isn't a guarantee anyway.  The surgeon was able to keep the nerves and everything else attached at the nipple so I have a decent shot.

KytchynWitche

I also had a breast reduction, when I was 20, for similar reasons to @AprilH81. Although it was done for legitimate medical reasons, no South African medical aid covers breast reduction, so my parents paid the 17k so I could keep breathing.

I had a lot of pain and it went on for weeks. I have terrible scarring, but I knew that would happen because I scar pretty badly. Also because I started smoking again too soon post-op.

I'm not worried about breastfeeding, as FI and I don't want children, but I have been on medication since the reduction which had the side effect of causing lactation, so I'm fairly certain I would be able to if I so desired.

ETA: if I ever had the money, I might consider rhinoplasty. My nose has a very weird bridge. Head-on it looks gorgeous, but in profile I look like a hag. I'm all for cosmetic surgery provided the patient is healthy enough for it (physically and psychologically), and can afford it without going into debt.

themuffinman16

I have had smart lipo, before. I have also had my teeth whitened and a mole on my forehead removed.  One day, I would like to get my eyes lifted (my right eye, especially).  For some reason, I have a lot more skin over my right eyelid, and in certain pictures, my eyes look downright crazy.  I also have had botox and restylane.  I used to love my breasts, but now they are too big for my taste... but seeing so many bad boob jobs, I know I will never get breast augmentation. (I have seen good boob jobs, too, but the bad ones stay in your mind, forever. Lol

PrincessOfHavoc

Rhinoplasty, but that related to breaking my nose several times and I was dropping into dangerous oxygen levels even with a cpap at night.

I debate a small reduction to balance my boobs, but recovery from cyst removal was so icky for me, I haven't wanted surgery again.

I had the migraine surgery so I look like I botoxed or had a brow lift at times, but didn't.

LASIK because I was forever breaking my glasses at work, couldn't wear them in sports and am a HUGE chicken about putting contacts in after trying them and having a nasty reaction to the solution years ago. Same as reduction - eye ulcer to the point of needing my eyelid stitched closed ruined contacts for me.

blabla89

@PrincessOfHavoc If I may ask (and it's okay if you don't want to answer) was the cyst that was removed in your breast? What was the surgery like? Just curious because I have a cyst in my breast, but my doctor has never discussed surgery.