COSMETIC SURGERY

Petitepois
Why not.? When I look at the 'before' and after pictures of my nose job I know I did the right thing as it not only improved my looks but gave me confidence to get out of my shell, believing that my nose was always what people looked at. and make something of my life. I cannot see how the likes of myself and others who choose to have these improvements are, as one GN commented, preventing the surgeon carrying out surgery on those who 'need it'. You don't have to be' physically' impaired to need this kind of surgery. Unless the commenter has personal knowledge of why a person opts for cosmetic surgery they are hardly in the position to say who needs it and who doesn't.

I had breast cancer 10 years ago and after tests and an exploratory operation was advised to have a mastectomy. I had always been large breasted and said I would prefer to have a double mastectomy as I didn't want to have one large breast. To cut a long story short I was persuaded to have a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on the affected side followed by a reduction in the other side at a later date. The reduction has been marvellous, I wouldn't have considered having it done before the cancer, but with hindsight wish I had !

I had a lower facelift 10-years-ago - so shoot me! Essentially, it just refreshed my face, getting rid of the jowls that were beginning to develop and giving me back cheekbones.

As for cosmetic surgery for vanity being “a waste of a surgeons skills” as Patticake said. My surgeon specialised in Maxillofacial surgery in the NHS, working with facial and mouth cancer victims who need reconstruction, burn and road accident victims, etc. He also took a 6 month sabbatical some years before to work with children who had survived a war, but with terrible injuries in Rwanda. He also chooses to earn extra money outside of his NHS hours, providing elective cosmetic surgery!

A friend has just had a nose reduction and chin narrowing. I thought she was fine before, but the effects are good. I have considered it but I do feel I'm looking quite good for my age, so no plans to do anything.

I had a nose job many years ago. mainly due to its shape rather than size Best thing I ever did as it gave me confidence to get out in the world and better myself where before I had believed my nose was the first thing people looked at and not the person.
I have never had bags under my eyes so there was never an issue there. I don't blame anyone having surgery to improve their looks. I have never regretted what I did.

I had a Blepharoplasty a few years ago - my eyelids were very droopy. It made me feel so much more confident - I looked younger and fresher. I didn't expect to look like a beauty queen, just to get rid of the droopy look, and it was just what I'd hoped for.

I have seen so much go wrong. I also agree with every word that Goldengirl has said.

Very different if it is for a cleft plate repair etc.

I think, for what it is worth that any cosmetic surgery done for vanity reasons is a total waste of the surgeon’s skills and their time would be better spent aiding people who need the work for genuine reasons. I can foresee in 10 - 15 years time we have a queue of folk claiming deep psychological harm because they have tattoos that need removing. I knew a young woman who managed to manipulate the system and get a ‘boob job’ on the NHS when it was clear to all who knew her she was not suffering deep mental anguish, just the results a pregnancy. I personally object to my taxes being spent on this type of surgery unless there is a genuine need, for example, hare lip/ cleft palate repair, burn scars, disfiguring injuries etc.

Look Fabulous Forever is a blog site and make up brand for older women which actively supports and celebrates people who haven’t had any work done. Even if you don’t buy the makeup, Tricia Cusden’s weekly blog is well worth following.

I’ve had my eyes done too, upper and lower. Cost £4000. It took almost 4 months before I could go out as although the swelling and bruising improved quite quickly my bottom eyelids were sagging and looked really gruesome. Now after 15 months they have improved and almost back to normal. I still feel tightness though and the area around my eyes is really sensitive so applying make up is not easy. Would I have it done, knowing what I know now? Probably I would as I no longer have bags under my eyes or drooping upper eyelids. Incidentally no-one has passed comment so I guess they have not noticed any change.

Ive had my eyes done,upper and lower.The lower ones bothered me most and the surgeon said he'd removed more skin than he'd ever done before on the lower lid. The upper lid I could have had done on the NHS apparantly my GP said as it was interfering with my vision and made me look half asleep all the time.Never once regretted it.My body,my money, my choice.

I had very deep marionette lines (from corners of the mouth to the jaw), and looked miserable even when I wasn't. I had 2 lots of fillers injected in January (2 weeks apart) and was absolutely thrilled at the results - although I looked like The Joker for the first couple of days! It cost £700 in total, but I earn a wage, so treated myself. I intend having it done again later in the year, but possibly somewhere that's a little bit less money.

I’d like a lower blepharoplasty I’ve had bad troughs below my eyes since I was a child and also the upper bagging lids. Never bothered with eyes shadow you don’t see it. Anyway as far as having surgery I did have a abdomenoplasty after having several surgeries and excess weight. It was hell to recover from and it ended up much more envolved then I expected incision wise. Wouldn’t do it again.

I have often thought of Botox for the 11s but have made appointments and backed out. Having needed 2 lots of proper surgery with general anaesthetics in recent years I am reluctant to do anything 'unecessary' but never say never I might grow a huge wart or something on my face and that would have to go.

I wouldn't even think about it - I am what I am
One of my lovely DILs has regular botox she is only 39 - I really wish she wouldn't but would never tell her so

No NEVER for me and would NEVER consider it either Totally repeat Goldengirls post

A male friend has just had a double Blepharoplasty. It wasn’t purely cosmetic as it his eyelids were drooping to such an extent they were affecting his vision especially when driving.

It has also knocked years off his face.

I've had an invisalign brace fitted today to straighten my front teeth.

Bit of botox. My daughter talked me into it and actually it's made a huge difference and doesn't look as 'stuck face' as I was expecting.
My aunt had her eyelids lifted a few years ago and that has made her look year younger. If you're healthy enough and can afford it and it improves how you feel about yourself, I say why not?

NEVER have and NEVER will unless it's necessary due to an accident. I've come to terms with my looks, legs and flab and it doesn't seem to have bothered anyone else over the years. It's the person / personality that counts in my book; not the appearance