cosmetic surgery ... should you?

Related to my post of last evening, this morning, I caught a piece on Fox News about Presley's experience. She had silicone injected into her face by a quack (I guess he was a non-licensed plastic surgeon). Silicone into the face is not an approved procedure and can apparently cause a lot of problems, including a bloated look and saggy, puffy jowls. The news item didn't discuss only Presley. They mentioned others, including Lara Flynn Boyle (pictured). The plastic surgeon Fox was interviewing said that these women "look like Cabbage Patch doll versions of themselves." That is the perfect description of what they look like.

Then there was the death of Kanye West's mother who went in for cosmetic surgery and died under anesthesia due to an existing condition. If she hadn't wanted to look younger, perhaps she would still be alive.

The young gal (early 30s) who used to do my nails elected to have her breasts enlarged and then started to get Botox injections in her forehead. In her early 30s!!!

Our culture of celebrity is driving women to some desperate places, and it is sad.

Watch some movies from the 40's and you'll see that actresses used to have some meat on their bones - and be thought attractive. Now we watch walking, talking toothpicks. I saw Keira Knightly in Atonement and she looked like a surviver of some sort of terrible concentration camp. It isn't pretty.

Well, that's my rant about American culture for the day.

-rlh-

Comments

[Robin]

I have been thinking the same thing about Priscilla Presley. When I heard she was going to be on Dancing - I was so excited to see her. And now - well, it's painful to look at her. I heard the same thing - that she had a quack for a doctor. How sad.
I don't know if it's right or wrong to have the cosmetic surgery. I suppose there is a fine line there somewhere. But I do know that our society is too caught up in looks. I do feel sorry for Priscilla - obviously her looks are important to her - but she is willing to be on such a high profile show even though she must know she looks so artificial. Bless her heart.

[Laura]

And what's so sad is that Priscilla was so beautiful before.

[Pam]

I think what's especially sad to me is that Priscilla couldn't see herself as beautiful and that growing older naturally would have just been an older version of the same beauty. She was always so darling. I know what you mean about classic stars vs today's stars, Robin. I saw a movie clip the other night (I think Lifetime) with the girl who used to play on Family Ties (the daughter - can't think of her name). She was so pitifully thin it was frightening -- like someone in a starving country. And all I could think was how the camera even put 10 pounds on her. So what must she look like in person? It breaks my heart that they feel like they have to do this to "stay in the game..." I see it in some aging male stars I've always loved too, and hate that they think they have to do that.

[Pam]

Robin, this has nothing to do with this post, but something I thought might interest you. Awhile ago, you were talking about discovering the PBS British series "As Times Goes By" and how you loved it (as I do). Don't remember if you said you bought the DVDs or not, but just wanted to tell you -- I bought season 5 the other day (have to save for more seasons, but this is one of my favorites). I wondered if the color picture quality would be better than it is on PBS - it's always so washed out on there that it looks like they live in dingy home. I couldn't believe how FABULOUS the DVD makes the picture -- every color and detail so sharp (I can even see the details of paintings on the wall) it makes me feel like I'm watching a wonderful stage play. If you haven't splurged on the DVDs yet, just wanted to tell you how great they are. Only problem is...now I want them ALL (VCR recordings can't do justice!) :-)