Anyone pick up a copy of New Beauty. This is the magazine that's supposed to tell all about the cosmetic procedures to make us beautiful. But there's only one or two pictures that seem realistic at all. The others make you think cosmetic surgery would turn menopausal us into twenty-something supermodels. Sign me up!

Seriously, I've gone to some seminars put on by actual plastic surgeons using actual before and after pictures of actual women. I decided at the time that none of us in the room would "improve" enough to justify the expense. So far, I've done nothing more than Retin-A.

Maybe I'll go to Europe instead!

I saw Extreme Makeovers (I think that's the name of the show) on TV once. This frumpy, unattractive, heavy set woman had herself remodled on the show. She had a butt lift, liposuction, breast implants, chin implant, corrective vision surgery, dental implants....AND THEN she had her hair cut and colored and styled, makeup done and a new wardrobe....According to the program the total cost of the whole process was in excess of $80,000!!!

And guess what? When they were done with her she was beautiful. *surprise* In fact, she was unrecognizable from her old self. Now, whether or not all these improvements would last a lifetime or maybe just 10 years--who cares? She looked great when they were done with her. Clearly this altered her self image and other people's perception of her, and possibly the course of her life.

For women especially, we all know that looks count in this world. If someone has the money and the desire, why shouldn't they get themselves fixed up? When your house gets old and run down and the roof leaks, you call in a contractor to repair it don't you? Why should you not think of your physical being in the same way? I don't see a problem with it.

I agree.

I wouldn't personally have work done, but can't see any problem if others want to.

I do think some people look a bit bizarre after the work tho': Joan Rivers, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters.....

That tight-faced thing - UGH!




Ms. Jowls

Yes, it is sort of scary when you think of the kind of money those people have and they still end up looking like that.

I've never seen the Extreme Makeover show but I wonder how much of the change is due to hair, makeup and clothes? I once had a true makeup artist work on me. It took her over an hour but I looked incredible. Lasted all day too.

Every now and then, the local paper has ads by cosmetics surgeons. Somehow the procedure brought a smile to the subject's face and what looks suspiciously like makeup. My point is I thought this magazine would give real information instead of just more hype.