You look so refreshed! What have you had done?

[bilgistic]

Let's talk here about what cosmetic or restorative surgery or procedures we've had or want to have. No judgment!

[Madding crowd]

I broke my nose twice but the biggest problem is that 30 years of sinus/allergy problems and having to blow my nose 100 times a day has resulted in a general widening of my nose. I wonder if surgery could reduce that (and I am on allergy and sinus meds).

[bilgistic]

I HATE my nose. It is prominent and I was picked on from elementary school on up for it. In 10th grade, I was over at my boyfriend's friend's house and the friend's mother was babysitting a couple of toddlers. I picked up one of them and he brought his forehead down on the bridge of my nose, breaking it. For some reason, the kid laughed, but I saw stars. Ever since then, I've had a hump on my already-prominent nose.

I would LOVE to have a nose job, but it's expensive, of course. I also have allergy/sinus issues (and snoring and possibly sleep apnea--getting tested for that as soon as insurance clearance comes through), and have since I was a kid. I'm pretty sure my septum is deviated, but it's nowhere near the cases we see on Botched. I can just see more...skin/tissue/whatever inside one nostril than the other.

As I am now 40 and time is marching on, I have had one (two?) thing done. I had Botox and filler in my face recently just to see what it would be like. It was not cheap, and I don't know that I would do it again.

I'm fortunate to have good genes and hardly any wrinkles at my age (plus, I'm overweight and I have oily skin, so I'm less likely to have wrinkles), but I had a few places that bothered me. I have lines on my orbital bones under my eyes from sleeping on my side (the side of my face on the pillow), and I'm getting the "11" between my brows.

I went to a very reputable board-certified plastic surgeon (my friend has been to him and she has great results), but the office staff and procedures were not great. I was shuffled from room to room as I waited to see the doctor after I'd been given a topical numbing agent. They waited so long to get me back to see the doctor that it had started wearing off, and the injections HURT. I have tattoos, and this was more painful.

I'm not thrilled with the filler (Juvederm). I feel like the doc put the filler wrinkle-adjacent in most places, but I tried to wait a few days to see if it would settle (it has instant results) because maybe I didn't know how it worked. Except for the area under my eyes, I'm not very happy with it. I should've gone back to get him to fix it, but I just didn't.

The Botox is weird. It didn't take effect for a few days, then slowly, my forehead (in which I've had lines since I was 12) was less mobile. I can still move it up and down, but it moves more like a whole unit than ribbed units, if that makes sense. It also feels heavy, which I don't like, because I feel like that makes my brow look heavier, but that might be in my mind.

The irony of this is that I'm probably one of the least vain people on the planet. As I mentioned, I'm overweight. I don't work out (mostly because I'm exhausted all the time because I don't sleep well, but I also work like a mule). My wardrobe consists of Old Navy and Target, supplemented with expensive bras because I'm well-endowed and have no choice in that matter. I can't be bothered with what people think of me, but for some reason, I'm terrified of looking older, perhaps because I've never looked it. Most people underestimate my age by five to ten years.

Edited July 2, 2015 by bilgistic

[Catgyrl]

I'm a fairly young-looking 47 (am told I look like I'm in my mid-30's, and have always known I've looked younger than my age), and I've tried Botox twice. I must say, I did like the effect because I could still raise my eyebrows up and down, yet my "111's" and horizontal lines disappeared. Unfortunately, it only lasted about 2 months, so I probably won't do it again. Waaay too expensive.

 

Lately, even I have noticed I'm looking older and more tired. I have a consultation on Monday for a lower-lid blepharoplasty to get rid of the fat bags under my eyes (inherited from my late father - thanks Dad!) No matter how much sleep I get, I still look exhausted, and as a result, I'm sure I'm piling on more makeup than needed to try to mask them. I've watched Ali Wentworth's (Mrs. George Stephanopolis) videos where she documented her blepharoplasty, and hers turned out pretty good. 

 

I was always one of those who said I would NEVER... get permanent makeup done (did it 2 years ago)... get "cut open" for gastric bypass (also had that 2 years ago).. or let someone put needles in my face and cut me up (possible blepharoplasty). I've had a rough 5 years taking care of my dad through his cancer battle, and just feel that it's time to get back to taking care of me. 

[bilgistic]

I've always had weird bag-like areas under my eyes even from my childhood. They aren't like typical eye bags, but have an indentation that go from under each eye where I have dark marks to arc out under each orbital bone. When I was young, my pediatrician told my mother they are caused by my mouth breathing at night. I think now that that sounds rather silly. I dislike them, but I don't know how they could be fixed. I've only seen doctors fix eye bags by removing the fat pocket under the eye that is essentially the bag--it retains fluid.

Also, I can't afford to fix them. I would absolutely fix my nose if money were no object. Then get a tummy tuck. Of course, I'd need to lose weight first!

Catgyrl, my ex-boyfriend from several, several years ago had gastric bypass and was wildly successful. He really worked hard afterward and lost about 150 pounds. My ex-boss had lap band surgery and later gastric bypass and both were failures, but she wasn't mentally committed to either. How did your gastric surgery go? I know it's extremely difficult because of the entire life changes one must make.

Edited July 2, 2015 by bilgistic

[Catgyrl]

Catgyrl, my ex-boyfriend from several, several years ago had gastric bypass and was wildly successful. He really worked hard afterward and lost about 150 pounds. My ex-boss had lap band surgery and later gastric bypass and both were failures, but she wasn't mentally committed to either. How did your gastric surgery go? I know it's extremely difficult because of the entire life changes one must make.

My surgery went extremely well. I was up and walking within a few hours of it (not like I had a choice!); had little to no pain, and not much nausea. I lost 90 pounds (was only 243 to begin with, so that was enough for me), and have never felt better in my life! The eating is still a pain in the butt because I end up wasting a lot of food, but compared to the alternative (being sick, tired and fat), I'll take it. Thank you for asking. :-)

[blatantlyobvious]

I'd love to have a tummy tuck and a breast reduction/lift.  I've never been completely happy with how my stomach/abs look, but after 2 kids- one of whom required 8 weeks of bed rest followed by a c-section- my whole midsection is just shot.  Add to that DDD+ boobs on a 5'1" frame- they really hurt my back and shoulders and make shopping very difficult.  

 

If money were no object, I'd have the surgery tomorrow.  Heck- if money were no object, I'd also have head-to-toe laser hair removal too, aside from the hair on my head and my eyebrows.  It can all just GO.  I'm not a particularly hairy beast, but I am pretty particular about keeping myself shaved/trimmed year 'round and would love to not have to think about it. 

[Hero]

I am 25 years old and I have a big nose that I have always hated. I remember trying to hide it when sitting at my desk because I hated when people looked at me from the side. A few people in high school have made some comments, but I have always ignored them. I had great friends who always made me feel beautiful. 

 

I always thought about getting my nose done, but I am scared to have one because I don't know how it will turn out.  I think I am coming to terms with how my nose looks like, but it will probably take a while when I fully accept my nose. 

 

I would also love to get hair transplants. My hair is so thin and ugly, I really hate it. It definitely runs in my family and I would love to have thick, full hair. 

[bilgistic]

I've had laser hair removal on my armpits probably about 10 years ago. It was worth it. I was shaving daily and my sensitive skin was just torn up, so I needed an alternative. It took five sessions spaced about two or three months apart. I have maybe 10 hairs that still sprout in the whole area under each arm, so I rarely have to shave. I never wear sleeveless tops, so it isn't an issue.

I had a special deal at a medspa here in town that is reputable. They run specials pretty regularly. Most places like that do, and you can join their email list to find out about them.

I can't remember now, but it seems like it was in the $500 range. I figure I've saved money on razors, gotten rid of irritation and saved time.

I'm in the middle of a round of laser hair removal on my lower half, again with a special. It's not working as well this go-round, mainly because my hair isn't as dark on my legs and "bikini" area as my armpits was. (My head haircolor is dark ash blonde.) My skin is very fair, but darker pigmented hair responds best to the laser my medspa has. I know there are other, more full-spectrum lasers, but I don't think their availability is very wide yet.

As a feminist, I'm very torn about some of the things I undergo. I want to be able to love myself no matter what, but the reality is that I do not. I've always hated my nose and stomach. I don't like shaving and that my (American) society says I should have smooth, hairless legs, but I like the feel of shaved legs. I hate that the pornification of America has made it normal for women to have hair-free crotches, but again, I prefer to be trimmed or hair-free there, too. It just feels better to me. I don't have a sexual partner and haven't in a very long time, so I don't have another person directly influencing my hair-removal decisions.

[Cosmic Muffin]

I'd love to have a tummy tuck and a breast reduction/lift.  I've never been completely happy with how my stomach/abs look, but after 2 kids- one of whom required 8 weeks of bed rest followed by a c-section- my whole midsection is just shot.  Add to that DDD+ boobs on a 5'1" frame- they really hurt my back and shoulders and make shopping very difficult.  

 

 

 

Asemumma, have you looked into a medically necessary breast reduction? Some insurance companies will pay for those. I know a couple of people whose large breasts were causing back problems etc. I think to prove that they needed the reduction they showed up to the consultation demonstrating that their bra straps dig into their shoulders. But this was a long time ago, and of course insurance companies vary in what they cover. Good luck to you if you chose to pursue this!

Edited July 3, 2015 by Cosmic Muffin

[blatantlyobvious]

Asemumma, have you looked into a medically necessary breast reduction? Some insurance companies will pay for those. I know a couple of people whose large breasts were causing back problems etc. I think to prove that they needed the reduction they showed up to the consultation demonstrating that their bra straps dig into their shoulders. But this was a long time ago, and of course insurance companies vary in what they cover. Good luck to you if you chose to pursue this!

I have, actually.  I'm pretty certain I could get the breast reduction covered, but I think if I'm going to go through major surgery and the recovery period, I'd like to have both the breast reduction and tummy tuck done at the same time.  Unlikely the tt would be medically covered, but I really should go in for a consultation and find out what kind of price tag I'm looking at. 

 

Hard to justify spending a chunk of change on myself though- I've got a daughter going off to college in a year and have to be fiscally responsible.  (Unfortunately!)

[Cosmic Muffin]

Ah, gotcha. I wonder if you can add a tummy tuck that is electional onto a medically necessary breast reduction lift? Better to see your child through college before finding out.

 

I had a roommate who was a stripper who had lipo on her little tummy pooch. Just before she went under the anesthesia, one of the hospital staff was telling her about someone who came out of anesthesia swinging. So of course roomie came out of the anesthesia trying to punch people. She was hypoglycemic also, and the surgery messed with her blood sugar. I think she was happy with the results, though, although the aftermath was worse than she expected.

 

I'd like a firmer or refreshed jaw line at this point. And a breast lift. And contouring of my hips, butt and thighs.

 

Probably best and cheaper to work on my inner worth and inner beauty. 

[bilgistic]

I came across some body-positive videos of a young military wife in Georgia, and thought I would share here. This one made me cry. She's beautiful, inside and out!

[Katmai]

bilgistic, thanks for starting this thread, it's very interesting.

 

I posted this on another Botched thread: I ended up getting a rhinoplasty by an ENT during a second septoplasty. Dumb decision on my part but I thought anything that would make my nose smaller would be an improvement. Back story: as I grew up, my classmates were relentless with jokes about my big nose. I was called Barbara Banananose (for Streisand) and Barry Banananose (for Manilow). I was also constantly told by kids, and adults alike, that I looked like Streisand and Manilow. Talk about wearing down someone's self-esteem and self-confidence during my formative, growing up years, that'll do it. My rhinoplasty improved my profile by about 50%, but I ended up with a sideways dent that is obvious. I'm not going to have anything more done to it. It is quite interesting that one of my sons has a Roman nose, which fits him and his face very well. In fact, he's always been/being told how good-looking he is. Guess the big difference is which sex the Roman nose is attached.

 

I've always had breathing issues...I think of myself as a blue-haired, mouth-breather well before being blue-haired. lol I've had three septoplasties, due to a deviated septum. I still can't breathe through my nose, even though "everything that could be removed" including turbinates, was done during my last septo. As a result of those, I have developed a hole in my septum that messes up the natural way of breathing. I have sleep apnea but due to that hole, a CPAP won't work correctly. I have killer allergies and did 8 years of allergy shots only for my allergist to finally admit they hadn't helped me so I quit getting them. Regarding the rhino I got at the same time as my second septo, it wasn't covered by our insurance, but the ENT gave me "a deal" by getting it the same time he did that septo. As I stated before, big mistake but I thought any improvement was better than my original profile. I am a stomach sleeper and due to not being able to breathe, I have acquired a weird way of positioning my face in order to put a little pull on my right cheek in order to help me breathe a little. As a result, I am now seeing fine lines that have developed in that area.

 

I'm very overweight, but won't consider bariatric surgery due to my sister's experience. Granted, mentally she wasn't in the right state of mind to change her lifestyle to make it successful, but she also contracted MRSA during her gastric bypass. She dealt with it's flareups and breakouts for about 10 years, with it becoming more and more antibiotic resistant until she died from sepsis last summer. I'll try to learn to accept myself as I am, as a result of her experience.

 

I'd love to have laser hair removal on my face (as I get older, it gets more dense, thick and seems to multiply) and armpits. I also have very sensitive skin, but never thought about how it would help to get the hair removed so I'd have a lot less irritation going on - I like that reasoning bilgistic.

[fliptopbox]

If money was no object and I were to ever decide to do anything cosmetic (which is highly unlikely) I'd get a (small) chin implant and maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe a boob job. I'm a large A/small B and I'd only go up to maybe a mid C, cos on my tiny frame anything larger would look ridiculous. But it's not like I'm laying awake at night hating my appearance. I was one of those awkward teens who had to grow into their looks, and now at 33 I'm still being mistaken for a college freshman. So I gotta be doing something right!!!

 

Sometime in the past few months.

 

 

May 2015

 

 

2009 Philly zombie crawl, with my boyfriend at the time. I wish I hadn't let that one get away...but we were young and dumb. That's my only real regret in life.. *sigh*

 

My mom and me about 11yrs ago, either shortly before or after she married my stepdad.

 

 

My official "sickie" pic. Central lines suck, and so does TPN....but starving to death is no better.

 

But yeah, I don't look like I've aged at all since probably being 16-17. I could probably pass for a high school student...even with my extensive tattoos.

 

And yes I am weird and started to get perms cos my hair is this weird mix of straight and wavy (and it's coarse) and I got tired of frying it with the hair straightener when I wanted to look presentable. So instead I get one perm per year and my hair looks awesome. No shame here!!!!

 

But anyway moral of these pics is love yourself regardless. Fat, skinny, "average".....whatever. You're you and you rock.

Edited July 9, 2015 by fliptopbox

[bilgistic]

Well, "Lacey Wildd" scared me about fillers, saying her skin had sagged after getting hers. Of course, I realize she's an extreme case and probably got her "fillers" from the same caliber of doctor that did Pricilla Presley's.

At any rate, I've not been back to get more Botox or fillers. It was expensive (about $900) for one session, and I just don't think it's worth it for now. Maybe later, but not the Botox; I didn't like how it looked. I'd like my beginning wrinkles to be filled out, but I don't know if what I picture in my head exists in reality, or if it's worth it.

[Kiss my mutt]

I wouldn't mind trying the ultrashape ultrasound for my leftover baby pooch but it d have to research it more before deciding.

[jenh526]

I would also love to get hair transplants. My hair is so thin and ugly, I really hate it. It definitely runs in my family and I would love to have thick, full hair. 

 

God, me too. I started noticing hair loss when I was in my twenties. Went to see a dermatologist about it who told me I have "androgenetic alopecia". Basically a genetic predisposition to early hair loss. There's early greying in my family too, although that can be remedied with dye. Now that I'm approaching 50 I don't care as much about it. I've found that using a gentle daily shampoo along with a leave-in cream-based conditioner and brushing with a round brush helps give my hair some body. I truly hate having a wide part though.

 

Back story: as I grew up, my classmates were relentless with jokes about my big nose. I was called Barbara Banananose (for Streisand) and Barry Banananose (for Manilow). I was also constantly told by kids, and adults alike, that I looked like Streisand and Manilow. Talk about wearing down someone's self-esteem and self-confidence during my formative, growing up years, that'll do it. 

 

Sorry you went through that. People can be so cruel (or insensitive at best). I've been told I look like my dad - aside from the fact that my dad is not the greatest-looking, what girl wants to be compared looks-wise with a man? 

[bilgistic]

From as young as I can remember, everyone has always said I look like my father--the philandering, narcissistic sociopath.