Cosmetic surgery - worth the risk?

I had a mini facelift and liposuction 4 weeks ago. I am not a vain person. All my life, I have suffered with bags which has caused low self esteem and in recent years I have 'turkey neck' which made me feel even worse. Having had the facelift and liposuction, I feel as if I have been reborn. It was worth every penny and I would have paid more to feel the way I do now. My husband was dead against me having it done and loved me the way I was but he knew how much it meant to me and was very supportive. I am in the 'go for it' camp.

Atqui I saw a plastic surgeon some years ago as part of a referral to the pain management clinic at my local hospital. Under the criteria at that time, I would be eligible for a reduction, but it was subject to getting my BMI down - way down. One day maybe.

Annitona,
Yes, it was on the NHS. The eyelid skin was so low it was affecting my eyesight. I didn't ask the optician for the referral, it was a surprise to me.

As someone once said, I'd rather have character crinkles than be botox bland. Botox especially bothers me because essentially it means having a deadly poison injected into your face, admittedly in very small amounts.
It also seems to immobilise you face so much that smiling seems to be limited to your mouth and so takes away character, in my opinion.

While there are some treatments which will reduce sone of the less desirable "signs of ageing" I fear the " Celebs" who have all too obviously had "work done" have done little to tempt me. Of course I would like to have a swan like neck, clean cut chin and no jowls, but what is the point of aiming to look "10 years younger" like the TV show used to say, it's only superficial and a face with true character wins every time for me over a trout pout, retroussé nose or eyebrows disappearing into the hairline.
You can't actually turn the clock back so why pretend?

Have as much cosmetic surgery as you feel comfortable with. I've had eyes done, plus a bit more, and I look ten years younger then my age, feel fab, and it's given me a lot of confidence. Go for it, you won't regret it!

Wilma I'm with you on that. I would do it if Inwas brave enough! Don't think we'd get it on the NHS now though

If you had asked me last year, I'd have said no, but a year on steroids has left me with a gigantic " moon face" and little hair, so now, if there was a procedure to reverse this, I might consider it.

I wouldn't have said I was vain, but I really hate looking like this, and find myself reluctant to go out.

Still, they tell me it'll improve quite soon, but I'm a bit more understanding of people who have worries about their appearance.

I definitely need something - people often think I'm cross and grumpy when I'm not! Not sure how to go about it though, nor do I know what that 'it' should be.

I don't think it is necessarily about wanting to look younger.

My friend's husband (in his 80s) had his lower eyelids tightened because you could see inside them, if that makes sense (they had become slack). It has made a huge difference to his appearance and confidence levels. Hasn't made him look any younger ...

Grannyboots1
As you were referred to the eye clinic by the optician, was the 'work' done on the NHS or did you have to pay for it?

I can talk about what I might have done, but it's all pie in the sky because I don't have the money. I would need to feel quite well off to justify spending money of having work done and I am a very long way from that. The exception would be a breast reduction and some years ago I was told if I got my BMI down to a certain point, I would qualify for it to be done on the NHS for health reasons. The guidelines may have changed now though and if I don't qualify, then I would consider trying to find the money to pay for it. Awful as it sounds, it would probably be from money our remaining parents leave us, and I'd much rather they stayed around.

I am another one who has had so much necessary surgery that I wouldn't contemplate it but I am not against it in principle.

Maybe it is the Scot in me which weighs up everything I buy and decide if it is good value. That's not because I am mean but I like to feel each thing is worth what I am paying for it and I don't think I would ever feel it was good value. Same way I feel about personal number plates - just not worth it.

Is it still the case that once you start you have to keep it up because the parts which have not been done age?

I know what Wilma means by 'not younger, better' My Daughters friend had her 'work' done in California. I didn't know that she had had it done, but I said to my Daughter "doesn't Francis look good" Then my Daughter told me.
She just looked very well. Mind you, it cost.

OP have you heard of Realself? It's a cosmetic surgery community website showing people's stories, comments and before and after photos.
I've just spent hours on it had a little browse.

It's not cosmetic but I have just had a cataract removed and a new lens implant . I CAN SEE and I feel 20 years younger !! Hope to get the other done soon .

I only go near doctors, hospitals etc when I have to. No way plastic surgery, make the most of what you have.

Definite no to fillers and botox. Would consider eye 'work' if sagginess affected me physically. I use haemorrhoid cream around my eyes which does the trick - actors trick, also a beautician and a million times cheaper than expensive eye creams - it's the same thing - to say nothing of the cost of plastic surgery.

At the moment I don't need it as comfortable in my skin too. I would benefit from a bit more weight loss. I would never consider a facelift or anything else. A close friend had a facelift a few years ago, huge amounts of money which I would never consider paying out for that anyway, a lot of discomfort and now she says she regrets it every morning when she looks in the mirror. It wasn't bad - just pointless.

My DDs father in law is an anaesthetist at a famous plastic surgery hospital and when you think of the operations he attends - all maxio-facial, cancer suffers, the Guinea Pig pilots of WWII at this hospital it would rather make me feel somewhat shallow to have surgery for cosmetic reasons.

Even if I wanted one I don,t have the cash. I am not out to impress anyone but if it makes you feel good about yourself then go for it.

Hi! I'm now 70 and had a facelift at 60. Had eyelids, under eyes and lower face and neck lift. I looked ridiculously young for quite a while until it settled. People now take me for 55, I had a very top surgeon, it was pretty much pain free - the most painful was having the stitches out around my eyes - but for 20 minutes of discomfort it was absolutely FABULOUS. I don't regret it at all - on the contrary - I'm 110% happy that I did it, and if I needed it I would do it again. However, one has to be careful not to have the face of a 20 year old and the body of an old woman. That looks ridiculous. If you like I'll private message you the name etc of the surgeon.

Brother, both sisters and myself have had skin removed from around the eyes all four all of us delighted. I also very quietly had a face lift at 49.
Go for the best consultant you can afford.

I'm with you, Nanaandgrampy, although to each his/her own. I would not presume to tell anybody how to spend their money, nor would I appreciate being told how to spend mine.

Whatever makes you happy. I have been contemplating having a "tidy up" as I think it would make me look less tired and cross.However, it is a lot of money and I'm very careful about that. A friend of mine had a lift about 12 years ago, she will be 70 in July and could easily pass as 55. When I look at her I think how much value she has had from the initial outlay and wish I'd been braver earlier.
You must have a surgeon who is a member of BAPS . Don't risk anyone who isn't.

After removal of my ovaries & 2 hip replacements I cannot understand anyone having unnecessary surgery. My husband of 51 years is always telling me that I have a pretty face. That's enough for me!

I'm a no - I'm another who is comfortable in my own skin .

I'm not interested in looking younger or prettier , my life is written on my face and body and I'm proud of that and who I am .

I look exactly like what I am , an aging Nana who has worked hard ( played hard too).

I dont disagree with it if its what you want but I'm more than the sum of my parts so if I had that sort of disposable income I'd be off to add a few more laughter lines and experience

Good luck with whatever you choose .