Plastic Surgery-- To Thine Own Self Be True

When it comes to body image and public perception, there's really no winning. We stand in the grocery store line surrounded by tabloids pointing out which celebs are too fat or too thin on any given day. Celebrities are seen as plastic and vain in their physical perfection, but if they're revealed to have a little bit of cellulite, God Help 'em. And we reward beauty contestants for possessing a very specific set of physical traits (when was the last time a small-breasted woman won a major crown?) but flay them in the media for undergoing cosmetic enhancement. And though most of us aren't celebrities and don't face such harsh public scrutiny, we are judged in the same way to a smaller degree all the same.

Though it is quite true, the world is filled with happy, healthy, productive people with cellulite, flab, small breasts, big noses and wrinkly skin, there's no denying that extra bit of positive attention, admiration, and even financial success those with beautiful noses, beautiful lips, and beautiful breasts are rewarded with-- everyday, by everyday people in the everyday world-- even by those who dislike or distrust plastic surgery, whether they admit it or not.

True, if you're a sad person, breast implants aren't going to turn you into a happy one. If your husband doesn't love you with a that extra bit of flab on your thighs, he's not going to love you without it either. But most who seek plastic surgery understand this. Unfortunately, plastic surgery seems to be one of those issues everyone feels they are an expert on-- offering advice, opinions, and alternate views on how you should see your body, your self-esteem, your life. But ultimately, it's up to you.

Sure, there are those who undergo procedures who shouldn't. Disreputable surgeons who will perform procedures on anyone. But there are more who bend over backwards to offer professional results to good candidates, either out of a true desire to help people and/or to protect their practices from malpractice suits, a poor reputation and the headache of having to field endless patient complaints.

So, if you think you're too flabby, you're nose is too big, your breasts are too small or your neck is too saggy, you're in good company, because most of us have at least some of the same concerns. If you decide to address a cosmetic issue or two with plastic surgery, do it if it makes you happy. It's not up to anyone else to give you permission.

For those considering plastic surgery procedures, such as a tummy tuck, rhinoplasty, facial rejuvenation or breast augmentation, Phoenix plastic surgeon Dr. Heidi Regenass offers attentive consultations and great information on her website. Or, consult plasticsurgery.org to find a skilled plastic surgeon in your area.

Celebrity Plastic Surgery and Why We Love to Mock It!

Almost everyone has taken their jabs at the numerous celebrity plastic surgery horror stories out there. Joan Rivers, Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Kenny Rogers all take their turns at the end of the gossip-rag skewer. How we all love to make comments like, "Just who does he think he's fooling?" and "My God! She really needs to stop now!" as we stand in our sweat pants in the grocery store check out line. Many of these celebs even take regular pokes at themselves. Joan Rivers once said, "I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I'd look like without plastic surgery." And Dolly Parton, always with a great sense of humor, is quoted as saying, "You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!" But for every celebrity plastic surgery joke, there are dozens of success stories that slip beneath the radar, because good plastic surgery doesn't draw attention to itself.

Websites like Makemeheal.com/, Celebrityplasticpics.com Goodplasticsurgery.com/, and its counterpart, Awfulplasticsurgery.com draw their fans by watching for changes, subtle or not, in celebrity faces and bodies and speculating on the procedures they've undergone.

Some famous celebs that appear in these sites' "good plastic surgery" column include Mira Sorvino, Charlie Sheen, Scarlett Johansson, and Winona Ryder, all with results noticeable only when compared with "before" pictures.

For those of us who don't reside on the silver screen, subtle results are also important. For this, shopping around for a good plastic surgeon, one who offers consultations rather than sales pitches, is important. For those considering cosmetic enhancement, such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty or a tummy tuck, Charlotte, NC plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick O'neill offers great information on his website. Or visit plasticsurgery.org to locate a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.