Ironically while my sister was having her mid-life crisis body alteration done, I had my own done. I've been planning this for a long time, but finally got up the nerve, and met with the artist that did the design I had in mind. It's really not that big-about 4" long and 2" wide. This pic was taken right after he finished it-so it will 'calm down' in a few weeks.

I just think it's a shame that as women we can't just age gracefully and be accepted that way

The only person who really counts is you.
You can age as gracefully as you want: smile, laugh and be kind to everyone and it will surprise you how much you are accepted. Seriously, would you really want to be with a person who can't accept the aging process? I am not talking about a slothful, indifferent lifestyle.
So much of aging is in the mind and not the body. I will say, however, that being reasonable fit can be a general state/sign of happiness ( not always, of course). Unhealthy, obese people usually have underlying issues that need to be dealt with and doing so generally leads towards a better mental state, and consequently, a healthier body.

But thinning hair! Mine is thinning at the temples and it is indeed distressing. I could stop coloring, but I'm not ready for That yet and I haven't gone through the change either.

Pesky, I hope the artist who did your tattoo used sterile water to mix the pigments. There have been recent clusters of mycobacterial skin infections because people thought that bottled, distilled water was a safe and sterile substrate for ink powders. It isn't sterile, that's a common misconception.

In some states you have to sign a release stating that you know the inks--- none of which have been approved for injection into the human body by the FDA--- contain heavy metals like lead and iron as well as chemicals like mercury sulfide, that can cause cancer and brain defects. In most states, though, no such release is necessary even though the same health risks are obviouslly posed. If people want tattoos they have every right to get them, but I wish the parlor owners were required to disclose ALL the health risks involved. Also, in some states you cannot give blood for up to a year after having a tattoo. So, you could not bank your own blood for an upcoming operation, nor could you make a lifesaving donation of blood to a friend or loved one who needed it.... There is a cost to everything that permanently alters the body.

"You can age as gracefully as you want:"

If all women truly believed that, no one would get cosmetic surgery like breast jobs for anything like this reason "and it's a gift to her boyfriend." men just aren't put under the same scrutiny about their appearance that women are and that's basically what I meant, that there is a double standard out there that makes some women feel like they have to try to have the body of a much younger woman to be acceptable. I also think it's becoming much more pervasive and I have a feeling with each generation it will become more acceptable and normal to think you shouldn't look 50 even if you are 50.

This post was edited by trancegemini_wa on Thu, Mar 14, 13 at 8:36

Breast augmentation as "a gift" to a man--- boyfriend or husband--- is indicative of such low self esteem that I would consider the woman to have mental illness.

Before he met me, DH briefly dated a woman who had breast implants. He said they looked good but didn't feel good, and real ones definitely feel better.

Plus, so few women with implants really have a great result. Too many look like grapefruits sitting on the chest and too few really have the "hang" right.

The #1 complaint of women who have implants is that they wished they'd gone bigger. Which is why many aim for a D. I have a colleague who had breast cancer and went from an A to a D after reconstruction, and needless to say, it was a huge mental adjustment on top of the cancer. Plus the surgery was quite extensive because they took fat from her butt.

I agree with kswl.

4kids, that is rather funny as what I would be most likely to consider is a tummy tuck which is rather silly as even if I had one, I would not ever wear a bikini and nobody but me and DH see that. Of course, the problem with that area is it is not always a weight issue. In my case, my weight is generally fine but no amount of crunches, sit ups, or whatever is going to be able to restore elasticity to that stretched out skin. It is really more just fantasy because the likelihood of us having money for that is low and if I did have it, I would probably ask for a greenhouse instead.

Re-LASIK, part of me really longs for it. The other part of me though thinks that is a lot of money for a procedure that is not permanent. I also think the risks of complications are far too high for something that is basically elective. I figure if something goes wrong, those are my eyes, my vision, and I am not comfortable with that risk just to give up on wearing glasses, no matter how inconvenient they can be.

There have been numerous studies about those with low self-esteem/body image issues and plastic surgery - the surgery does not "fix" the underlying psychological problem. I have heard the same goes for gastric bypass surgeries-they do not "fix" the usually underlying food addiction.

Some people's self-esteem issues are hinged on issues around their appearance. Having something "fixed" could help but the feelings of inadequacy they've experienced over the years (not all self-inflicted) could become ingrained in their thinking so would still be hard to shake off. I think the problem lies more with our society and its values.

When I lived before I met DH, my Weight Watchers leader had a tummy tuck. She lost ~120 lbs and had 3 kids in 5 years. She was upfront about it and was very clear it was major surgery. She had to wear drains for the first few weeks and then when she came back she had to wear like a neoprene compression garment. She was glad she did it, but it was not a cakewalk by any means.

I don't have any issues with people improving their looks- (although I don't think big breasts is an improvement :-) as long as they are doing it for themselves and not to please someone else.
If I had the money, there are a few things I would do: eye lift, fix some veiny places, maybe some teeth veneers... but I would do it for me, not for a man.

One misconception I've heard from various people is that before doing something drastic like a tummy tuck, try exercise/diet. I was working out with a trainer years ago when an acquaintance decided to have a tummy tuck. She was not heavy at all, but the trainer made a comment that she should focus on losing 8-10 lbs (she didn't even need to) and concentrate on toning her abs so that she wouldn't need to have the tummy tuck.

But here's the thing. While I'm sure I have a little excess fatty tissue there, it's not that that is the problem - it's excess skin that no amount of exercise and dieting can eliminate. Having four kids so close together stretched out my skin such that the more weight I lost after my last child, the more saggy the skin got. I was in the best shape of my adult life two years after having my last child, and still, saggy skin. I finally, in a fit of frustration with my trainer, pulled down my pants and showed her so that she understood.

I know two people who have had the tummy tuck done and both described the excruciating pain in recovery. I was kind of glad to hear that b/c even though I fantasize about having it done, I never will and it's easy for me to use the pain as a good reason not to (of course, there are a variety of other reasons why I wouldn't!). So now, even though I HATE that skin, I try to focus on things I can control and that do have actual results (holding plank longer, etc).

And though I haven't said it before, I wholeheartedly agree that no one should ever alter her appearance for the sake of anyone but herself.

I remember a thing on TV years ago where an older woman was marrying for the 2nd time and wanted her face done before the wedding. They showed her face up close and she did look nice and significantly younger... and then they showed her full length! She looked like someone had pasted a 30 yr old's face onto Edith Bunker's body. So disconcerting...and when she was with her intended, it looked like everything went together really well, except her face. Not good.

I thought about it seriously for a while, not so much for size exactly, but for an assymetry problem. For some reason, I have a large size difference between right and left. With clothing, it is easy to camouflage, but we spend a lot of time in on the water, swimming, sailing, camping near lakes and at the pool which seems to be the summer social center of my little community. I get so tired of feeling self-conscious about it that I really looked in to what it would take to balance my shape. But from what I read, just too much risk of bad results, scarring, complications..

It is very common for one side to be larger than the other.

The problems with all plastic surgery are a) hey, it IS surgery and b) so often it is done poorly, or the patient wants something that is incongruent and c) ouch!

I do want to echo that anyone who undertakes surgery for their SO, or any SO who requests it, is nuts. One of the hallmarks of love, IMHO, is not just accepting the other's looks but embracing them. And it isn't something you decide to do out of altruism ... it is a natural by product of infatuation. When you fall in love, the object of your affection becomes perfect in your eyes.

removed duplicate post

This post was edited by mtnrdredux on Fri, Mar 15, 13 at 10:24

Kswl-thanks for the concern about the tat. It's not my first, however. I'm fortunate that in Oregon, tattooing is highly regulated and there is little incidence of problems.

My sister confessed to me last summer that she worked really hard to keep up her looks because of an ex-high school boyfriend who broke up with her for a more plain girl (my sister was a cheerleader-very much the whole cliche, too). She made it a point to be the hot chick at HS reunions and such, too. She also did a lot of musical theater, and was always cast to be the vixen, sex pot, etc. So this doesn't really surprise me all that much-I'm just really worried that she chose to get such an obvious size increase and that she feels she needs to do this to stay relevant.

"She looked like someone had pasted a 30 yr old's face onto Edith Bunker's body. So disconcerting."

Good one, Annie.

I'm afraid of that happening with my hair. It looks gorgeous from the back, yet my face is 49....and looks it.

Pesky, you really are lucky to live in a state like Oregon that is one of the most vigilant about protecting its citizens--- in many ways other than licensing and professional regulation.

Why is it that the high school experience is SO traumatic for so many people? Seriously, maybe high school should be banned as a public health measure!

"I also think it's becoming much more pervasive..."

That's the way it is here with young people in their 20's. It's hard not to notice and I find it to be incredibly sad.

I think a part of it is how young women compete with each other. Better body, better ta-ta's, etc.

One friend of mine had hers done because she was an "A" cup, and she did it for herself. I couldn't blame her at all.

Another friend did it to remain young looking for her husband. I feel sorry for her.

My motto is, "If a pencil can stay under them, leave them be." LOL

Here's a story that I did sympathize with. It was on the news a few weeks ago that a man filed for divorce because he found out his wife had extensive plastic surgery before they met. Apparently she..how do I put this delicately? She looked pretty bad.

He knew there was a good chance his children would look like her. So he used fraud as a reason for the divorce.

I have to say, I too would be thrown for a loop.

I'm stunned by how many teenagers get their girls done as a graduation gift! Can you imagine???

Years ago there was a tv program on called operation where they filmed an actual operation. I used to enjoy watching...until it came to the facelift. It was really hard to watch....they actually peel the skin away from the face like you would chicken skin on a chicken. Then as the doctor was working along, he was making comments like, "If I make the wrong move here, I'll cut a nerve and she'll never blink again." "If I take too much skin, she won't be able to shut her eyes." "If I hit the nerve here, she'll never smile again."

How lovely would someone be then?

Even the money and fame of a hollywood star doesn't guarantee the work will be well done.

This post was edited by AnnieDeighnaugh on Fri, Mar 15, 13 at 19:34

Who is that?

Oh my gosh! I think that's Goldie Hawn.

ugh... not an attractive picture!! does goldie have a lip piercing????

I think that's a really bad picture of Goldie Hawn. The ones I've seen she looks much older but not worked on.

I'm shocked to see what Heather Locklear has done to herself. Courtney Cox is another one that I hardly recognized recently. Obcviously money is not the key to good face work! You have to wonder why they get it done with so many coming out badly.

No, the breast surgery isn't for me.

The idea of my face falling down some day made me think there'd be a small chance I'd want something done later, but surgery is surgery and there are always risks involved. Even if you pick a good one, people are only human and make mistakes.

I'm hoping that photo of Goldie was just a bad photo of a half smile/smirk.

Maybe it doesn't matter much from a Male's opinion here, but here goes!

Like most Men, we just seem "hardwired" to like that part of the Female form. Do I "glance" at a good example of that area??...Hell yes! I'm an expert at maintaining eye-contact however...;-)

It IS torture in a way though...the way some Women choose to "accentuate" this area, & then get offended if "the girls" get "noticed" by a Male...what to do!?!?!? And yes...if Sofia Vergara came in to get some paint, I'd probably forget my name...

I can understand the desire to have a procedure done if "flatness" or size-variation is an issue. It's such a personal decision. But to do that to "please" someone else, or for "vanity only" is just wrong.

Faron

As for breast implants; never. I can pull up a post from City-data's health section where a gal with implants had breast cancer. Dealing with trying to treat the cancer was a huge nightmare due to the implants. Wish I could remember specifics.

The only cosmetic surgery I would consider is my stomach from having kids but I would not do it any time soon because I've seen the surgery on TV & doubt I will ever do it because of that.

Thanks for chiming in Faron. I wonder, from a male perspective,if there is a preference of one versus the other? I mean, if they're quite obviously phony-does that take away from the appreciation of the female form? If a man is wearing an obvious toupee, it definitely takes away from his looks-makes him unattractive IMHO, so I wonder if the obvious enhancement on women does the same for a man?

having the augmentation done 'for someone else' could be viewed as a way to improve the enjoyment of the relationship for yourself too if it makes you feel more appealing to others, i guess.
i would think that alot of women might say they're doing it for themselves, but honestly are doing it for men or others, just like those who get facelifts, etc....they think it looks better to themselves AND others...

with some women's obsession with their boobs, i wonder if augmentation is ever done to 'attract' other women in like relationships...

I'd forgotten the situation I'm in now. A friend of mine had a facelift done late last year. I was joking around with her before surgery saying make sure your eyelids aren't so high it gives you that "shocked" look. She definitely agreed and said "no way."

It did. I had to lie lie lie and say how nice she looked.

Do you all remember "Glamour Shots?" Back in the 90's women would go to their studio and get fancy (air brushed) pictures taken. I don't know if the company is still around or not.

But my DH had seen pictures of them, and when my friend asked me to go with her to take her picture I asked DH if he'd mind if I did the same thing. He said no, because the pictures don't look like the person. I had to agree.

Candace Bergen is one actress who aged gracefully. I saw her on SNL last week. She's put on weight and doesn't look like she's had any work done. And she looked great!

You all ought to look up a current picture of Priscilla Presley. Oh dear. Meow.

Quoting Pesky I wonder, from a male perspective,if there is a preference of one versus the other? I mean, if they're quite obviously phony-does that take away from the appreciation of the female form?

Your post reminded me of a gaming message board I went to. There are posts filled with pics of girls in skimpy clothes. The guys find them on google & put them in this post. I roll my eyes at the comments about the girls boobs because it's obvious that none of them are real. They all look so similar too; it makes me wonder how they don't get tired of seeing the same old.

Oak PP was so beautiful. It saddens me to see what she's allowed Drs to do to her.

Pesky & Co.-
Good Morning!

Interesting question Pesky!
If they look like 2 stetched-tight "basketballs" jutting way out, it's a definite turn-off. It's not "Female-form" anymore...it's cartoonish! Yuk.
Like most Guys, I like the happy-medium! C's to DD's can really catch a persons' eye obviously!
I take care in stating this old line..."Anything more than a handful is a waste!" NOT meant to offend here!! Just to humorously illustrate many Mens' feelings.

Surprisingly, Christina Hendricks' "top-form" is a little too much for ME anyway....
The overall pic is sexy-as-hell to ME....hairstyle, dress, pose, facial expression....but just "too stuffed" on top IMHO. Are they "natural"?!?!

Faron

Here is a link that might be useful:

I recently saw a pic of CH from early in her career and she was not as 'blessed'. And from that pic, if I had to guess, I'd say no. They're far to well rounded at the top to be natural. The cleavage and creases at the arm pit are consistent with a larger cup size, but the roundess? Not so much. That dress would have to have iron rods to make that much naturalness look that round. But she does look va-va-va-voom! Her curvy hips are a good balance to her chest.

Oh dear...Priscilla.
{{gwi:1502618}}

And showing your scars with a side boob is never attractive. JWoww made it on fashion police for this awful appearance....

I cannot believe that is Priscilla Presley. What a shame. Why does this happen so often.

She just keeps getting worse and worse. I think this is the same person they would put pictures out on years ago. The cat lady I think she was called.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Sun, Mar 17, 13 at 14:03

Yikes!!!

Priscilla ain't aging well, ESPECIALLY with THAT work done. Wow.
LOL..."Sideboob" must be 2013's newest slang word?!?!
I didn't notice that scar initially. Aren't they usually more hidden, like @ the base, or around the n^pple-edge???

Cat-lady-
OMG...I think my big Steiger 4WD tractor in the 70's was more attractive! Sorry, but that's just painful to look at!

Faron

Christina Hendricks born May 3, 1975 (wiki link below) was a model from the ages of 18 to 27

older pics of her

Christina Hendricks without push up bra

Here is a link that might be useful: Christina Hendricks wiki

Wow...

"They" seem natural in those pics to me anyway. She's very "Rubenesque" obviously. Good or bad, it's all in the eye of the beholder!
They're too big for my tastes anyway...

Faron

All this reminds me of the last Seinfeld episode.....

I thought the last episode of Seinfeld was about the buttons on George's shirt?

That side boob thing is gross and it looks like she has stretch marks from getting her skin to cover all that boobage.

I love Christina Hendricks. What a body!

Meg Ryan's plastic surgery is so sad. So is Kenny Rogers and Burt Reynolds.

Every life stage has a look that is authentic for each person. It is just silly for a 60yr old grandma to want perky boobs like her teenage grand daughter. Some people really resist progressing to the next stage of life but the body does anyway. I just wish we gain the wisdom to accept our aging bodies.

That being said, sometimes people look older or disproportionate in some way that is not suitable to their life. I had a young niece who was slim and athletic but had 38G breasts. Her life had major impact with dealing with those breasts... Or beasts as she would call them. Boy could not see past her boobs neither some of her girls. She could not shop and wear normal clothes. She had to use dressing pads under her breasts to avoid rashes. Breast reduction was medically necessary for her. Another friend decided to do a tummy tuck. She had an emergency c- section with her first child and the cut muscles never recovered. She found it hard to find professional clothes that worked especially as she had a narrower waist and skinny butt. Tummy tuck really changed her life.

Pesky, your tat is gorgeous. I've only skimmed the responses so not sure if anyone else bothered to tell you that it's very well done. I think it's fab and I know you must be enjoying it!

No it's the one where they're all in the courtroom and are confronted by past girlfriends, neighbors, etc.
The beautiful brunette accuses Jerry of sending Elaine into the sauna to "accidentally trip" and grab her boob because Jerry couldn't tell if they were real or not but Elaine would know.

It might not be the very last episode but it's part of the last storyline wrap up.

Goldie Hawn is esp ironic after having starred in
"Death Becomes Her".