Wow, I'm in my early fifties. I haven not had plastic surgery myself, but nearly everyone I know and see (pre-pandemic) has had either plastic surgery or at least subtle fillers, lasers, lifts. You would be surprised how many moms have had boob work and tummy tucks. It's insane how much work people have done. Most of the time, you can't tell at all. Normal people do get plastic surgery. I think that many women feel like there is one thing they would like to change about their appearance, from a stomach to large chest to big nose, and by the time they reach their fifties, they have done it. And everyone has fillers now - you can get them done at parties out in the burbs, at malls, at all price points. |
Silly. You do not risk your life. |
I think that this board is representative of the DC metro area and people (incorrectly) assume that norms here are similar in the rest of the country. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/18/americans-arent-sold-on-plastic-surgery-few-have-had-it-done-opinions-mostly-mixed/ |
| Is coloring hair in the same vein as plastic surgery? Not criticizing, women can do what they want. It really makes women look significantly younger but not as invasive. Men too I guess since lots of guys now cover their gray these days. |
Well Pew says that in 2016 only 4% of the population had done it and I doubt that jumped over 300% since then. |
| I turned 50 and am going in this week for a laser treatment and fillers for the first time. I am in good shape and have good skin, etc and am not the plastic surgery type (or atleast I didn't think I was)--no giant lips, no instagram selfies, etc. But I have noticed that in my field women who look middle age are shunted aside. The women who rise to the top all look very good--they are slender, dress well, and I suspect most have subtle surgery or non surgical stuff done. (many are also not mothers or had their kids young....). So, honestly, I am doing this for professional reasons. Is there somethign wrong with a society that devalues women after their childbearing years? Yes. am I going to singlehandedly change that? no. I am younger than DH and need to keep working and increase our income so that we can retire and send our kids to college. |
We risk our lives every day. Why would you get in your car and drive somewhere elective, like getting coffee? Or once you have one child, why would you risk your life having more? You have a greater chance of dying while giving birth than from cosmetic surgery. |
But once you are a parent, you've accomplished the goal of sexual attraction, and are likely married too. That doesn't mean be dumpy or give up. By all means, take care of yourself. But what is the point of a 50 yr old getting a boob job? |
How old are you? I'm 33 but one of my friends is in her 70s. She had a facelift and her son flipped out over what a waste it is. She told me it was for her own self-esteem. As "shallow" as it is, she's happier with what she sees in the mirror and she feels more like herself again. She's active, she still goes out, still works, works out so I think it makes sense that she wanted her outside to better match her inside. |
I'm 37. If your self esteem is tied to you looking 25 forever thats a problem. Her outside matched her age. That is normal. Look good and healthy for your age, but to go under the knife in older age to try and keep youth and sex appeal is sad |
It's weird that you think she's trying to look 25 or trying to look sexy. I'm not sure where that was implied. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but self esteem is absolutely linked to appearance. It's why hospitals like Sloan Kettering have "look good, feel good" programs. I don't think the patients who use that service are trying to ramp up their sex appeal, but like it or not we do feel a bit better when we look better. |
I agree, and I don't think it's a bad thing. Most people put an effort into their appearance to boost their self-esteem, and when people don't, it's often a sign of mental illness (though not always!). There is nothing inherently wrong with wearing clothing that clashes or not styling your hair, but we usually style our hair (even if it's just putting it into a pony tail) and try to dress decently when going out. We also expect people to get braces, treat significant facial scars, use acne treatments, etc, even though they have risks and aren't completely medically necessary. It's quite sexist to assume that women do these things to be more attractive to men. Also you cannot contribute to the societal pressure women face to look beautiful and then criticize them for trying to be beautiful. My mom does this; she is naturally thin and criticizes people who are fat, and then also criticizes people who get plastic surgery or even go on weight watchers. |
+1. Many average people get plastic surgery. You can get your surgery financed over time, so it’s more affordable. Also, more plastic surgeons work in rural and suburban communities. It’s no longer surgery for the rich. I had a tummy tuck and breast lift in my mid-40s. It cost $15K. We paid cash. DH was very supportive. He says he loves the results and is happy I had the surgery for myself. He’s not as supportive of facial surgery and didn’t want me to get large implants. He’s happy the results are very natural looking and I still look like your typical soccer mom. I’ve contemplated going back for implants and he said “don’t be that middle-aged woman with the large fake boobs.” From my experience, obviously fake plastic surgery is a turn off to some men. The surgery is out-patient and very safe. With over decades of surgery, not a single person had died from where I had my surgery performed. I wouldn’t let the remote chance of a side effect change my decision to get the surgery- just like I don’t let the remote chance of a plane crash or car accident prevent me from traveling. |
Maybe they aren't married. Maybe they still want their spouse or other people to be sexually attracted to them. Maybe it has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with feeling good. Maybe they hate the way their body feels in their clothes. Maybe they don't want to give up certain aspects of their sensuality just because they're a parent. Maybe they still want to be seen as sexual because sex is fun. Maybe their boobs were completely wrecked by pregnancy/breastfeeding and they want to feel like their old self again. Maybe looking hot is what turns them on and allows them to enjoy sex and be playful. I'm so sick of the misogynistic BS that once women are mothers, they need to give up their sexuality. |
Putting effort into your appearance is good and fine. But that is not the same as wanting or feeling the need to get plastic surgery. A 70 yr old with the face of a 70 yr old is normal and not the sign of a mental illness. I don’t think looking beautiful has anything to do with breast size or if you have wrinkles in older age. Keep in shape, be a healthy weight, be mindful with what and how you eat, exercise, dress well. If you need plastic surgery to feel beautiful there are deeper mental issues going on. |