Me, Unenhanced

Before I had kids, I was obsessive about my appearance. Any spare cash or credit went to clothes, shoes, or makeup. Every pound, stray hair, or blemish was hunted down and ruthlessly eliminated. I fantasized about getting a little tweak to my nose or a boob job. Oooh, maybe a teensy eyelid lift, just to freshen things up. Totally wasn't going to happen on a teacher's salary.

Now, as a mom, I'm more zen about the whole appearance thing. (Hang on - I'll be right back. I'm laughing too hard to type).

Okay, I'm totally not zen. What I am is a freaking chicken and superstitious as hell. I feel like if I chose to go under the knife purely for vanity reasons that some vengeful Old Testament-y God would kill me on the operating table and leave my children motherless. I support anybody's decision to have plastic surgery; I just have too many personal issues to go through with it.

So, instead, I deal with my feelings of inadequacy and continue to spend every spare dime on cute clothes and makeup. (Has anyone tried Smashbox eyeshadow? Is it not THE BEST EVER?)

Yes, Yes, Yes...I am for making yourself happy!

I believe in making yourself happy. And if doing that means plastic surgery, then I say - go for it!

I have had a tummy tuck. Why? Because no matter that I could do 100 crunches without blinking, after a C-Section I could not lose the tummy flab. And I hated it.

Hated it.

S I saved my money, interviewed several plastic surgeons and chose a woman doctor who seemed to understand how I felt. And I loved it.

Loved it.

I instantly felt more attractive and more confident in my wardrobe choices. I loved my flat belly and it took me down the road when I have now lost over 25 more pounds since the surgery. I love how I look in a bikini, a short dress, a tight dress, jeans.

The best part? My DH did not find me any less attractive before or after. He was blind to the whole thing I had going on in my head. Because that's where it was - im my head. He wanted me no matter what. And now I could return that feeling fully, no self confidence issues.

My bottom line - if it will make you happy - YOU - then go for it. Don't do it for anyone but YOU.

To be a Barbie girl?

I would love to have Barbie's bod, I'm not gonna lie. Who wouldn't want long, shapely legs, a waist that would make Scarlett O'Hara jealous, the perfectly sculpted face, or the full D cup she's sporting?

I would! I would!!

But, sigh, it is not my lot in life. I'm more like overweight Skipper.

If money were not an obstacle, though, what would I do to improve myself???

Well, I'd love perky, supple breasts as much as the next girl, but I don't know if I could go through with implants, just for vanity's sake. It sounds excruciatingly painful. I'd be paranoid that they'd bust. And would they feel fake? I don't know if they'd be worth the risk. I know a few girls who have had implants. The one common denominator was they were very insecure girls. I don't know if the implants helped in that department or not, but I hope so. I am not judging, if they want bigger boobs, they should have them, but I don't know if it's the route I'd choose. I'm sort of a wuss, so imperfect breasts will do.

But on the other hand, I would love to *ahem* even out some differences I've got up top. It would be nice to be symmetrical. It's a toss up on the ta tas.

As for plastic surgery on the face, no. I was blessed with a good enough nose, and the cheekbones and chin are adequate, so I am satisfied. If I weren't so satisfied, then who knows? But I think it'd be so unsettling to one day wake up with a different nose or whatever, even if it was for the better. It'd be so weird. I do think Ashley Simpson's new nose is beautiful, but I also thought she was cute before. To each her own.

Botox and plumping injections are another story. I'd love some now, please!! I already have under eye wrinkles and crow's feet, so bring it on. But I cannot afford this, so it's out of the question. They are only temporary and mostly safe so I would not hesitate if it weren't so expensive.

When it comes to lipo or similar procedures, yes, I say go for it. If I did lose the weight I need to lose, I'd still have a lumpy lower abdomen. It'll never be flat again. The C-section ruined any hope of a flat tummy ever again. I'd take a tummy-tuck if I could afford it.

Face lifts freak me out. They almost always look creepily unnatural. I know nobody wants to look 70, but it's weird to look 35 when you are twice that. Give it up.

And then there are the freaks like Joan Rivers and Michael Jackson that don't know when to stop. They are poster children for what is wrong with plastic surgery. A little enhancement is good, trying to become someone else is just strange and sad.

Skin Deep

Thanks for all the great topic suggestions. We will get to each and every one of them. Since I have to start somewhere, I'm going to begin with Scarlet O'Kara's suggestion.


Would you consider plastic surgery, or have you already had plastic surgery? If so, which procedure and why?

To answer that question. No, I've never had plastic surgery. I've had Botox and I loved it. It really works great. Too bad it's so expensive or I would do it more often. I love that injectibles Restylane or Perlane are getting more and more affordable and I plan on doing more when the price comes down a little. My plan, Botox for my forehead and crows feet, and filler for my marionette lines. I have friends who go every few months and they look awesome!!!

As for actual surgery, I'm not going there, At least not now. Maybe when I'm 60 I'll get an eye lift. ONCE. I do NOT want to look like a freak.

I know tons of ladies with breast implants. Most of them love the results. Personally I would love to have a hot Playboy Bunny rack, but I'm not willing to go through the pain and expense it would require for me to have one. Luckily my husband doesn't want me to. If he asked me to do it, I'd feel pretty crappy.

How about you?