Special K

Id have liposuction, and maybe some kind of reconstruction on my face.

All of the things that I might want to change can be fixed without plastic surgery... So I wouldn't want any done.

Besides, I think plastic surgery should only be used to bring people to a certain level... You know; to help those who are under- or over-developed and suffer because of it. If you already look okay, don't bother with it, because physical appearance shouldn't be that important.

They shouldn't, but they are. And you'd be lying if you said otherwise.

Not really... It depends on whose point of view you're looking from.

Take, for instance, Ferdinand and Miranda from The Tempest (sorry, I can't think of any other examples right now). Ferdinand could have been just "average looking" by the standards of his time and he still would have seemed incredibly handsome to Miranda, who had only ever seen two other men before: Prospero (old and wrinkly) and Caliban (just plain ugly).

Not to mention that not everyone has the same tastes. I've seen TV shows which tell the stories of people with stunning good looks finding themselves most attracted (physically) to people who really don't look too great at all.

Myself... I'm just happy to have friends to talk to, no matter what they look like.

I think that part of physical attraction is natural, of course; but it also takes into account personal preference. I've actually talked about this with other guys before... How girls that they think are "totally hot(t?)" are girls that I don't find all that attractive, while girls that I think are gorgeous are those that they think are only "so-so".

I told you. Perfect foils in a play.

I would want surgery done on my eyes. My contacts hate me, and even though I like my new glasses more than my "bug-eye goggles," I still would prefer not having to wear either. I suppose I'd do something with my teeth, too. Maybe I should brush them... (I'm kidding-even though my dentist once asked me if I knew what a toothbrush was.)

Even though I'm not fond of my weight, I would never resort to lipo because I know it's nothing a little exercise and healthy foods couldn't fix (but like that's gonna happen).

Just for curiousity, were you watching MTV when you wrote this?

One of my biggest problems with our society is the emphasis that is placed on physical appearance. It drives me absolutely batty! No one is ever totally happy with his/her appearance but why? We are such a shallow society - teaching our kids that its more important to be pretty than to actually be a person of substance.

When I was younger, I could have probably given you a list of things that I wanted to change about myself, most of which would have been physical attributes; however, I find that the older I grow, the less I care about physical traits. Now, the only thing I would change, maybe, would be to be more outgoing and better in social situations.

I have to admit, however, that the appeal of LASIK is great! Tho, the idea of lasers aimed at my already fragile eyes? Scary!

I'm glad no one commenting here said "I want a whole new face!" or "I need giant boobs!" or something ridiculous like that. I guess our culture isn't totally hopeless... *whew*

I could go on about this forever.... I'll shut up now ;c)

Yeah Val, I was. Guilty as charged.

Moira- I too would have given you a gigantic list a few years ago. "I want a new nose. New this, different that". Now I'm pretty happy with everything because, well, this is how I am. I have family features- why would I want to change that? But we are a shallow society, I agree. But since the entire society is so shallow it is hard to escape it. Physical attractiveness has been pounded into our heads and whether we like it or not, it is something we'll always think about. I have no problem saying that yes, I do place emphasis on my appearance. I do worry about what I look like and how others see me. I am shallow. Yet I also know that I do have other qualities that make me who I am as well. I think a good balance of both works.

If anyone's interested...

Kuther, Tara and Erin McDonald. "Early Adolescents' Experiences with, and Views of, Barbie." Adolescence 39.153 (2004). 13p

Abstract: There has been a great deal of debate over the influence of Barbie dolls on girls' developing self-concept and body image. Two qualitative studies were conducted to gather information about early adolescents' experiences with, and perspectives on, the controversial toy. In Study 1, focus groups with twenty 6th-grade girls suggested that they have ambiguous feelings toward the doll and the feminine sexualized image it represents. Study 2 gathered essay responses from fifty 7th- and 8th-grade boys and girls regarding their experiences with, and opinions on, Barbie dolls. Participants reported both positive and negative feelings toward the doll and its influence on girls' development.

http://reeveslib.setonhill.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&an=13335639&loginpage=login.asp

Vanessa: You aren't shallow if you don't like your body. I don't know anyone who isn't in some way dissatisfied with his/her body. Society has drilled and burried this concept deep within our heads, so it's not a moral weakness. I feel you are only shallow when you go out of your way to change your physical appearance because of what others say.

TV could be part of the problem. You've seen them. Pictures of gaunt scantily-clad women who are showing more bone than skin. And companies certainly play off this desire to have the "perfect body." They advertise anything from pills to workout apparatus, promising the "perfect body." But what is perfect, anyway? And does perfection necessarily have to be physical?

I have personally never considered cosmetic surgery because I'm just too pretty as it is. Only people lacking in my kind of arrogance even consider cosmetic surgery. I've always viewed cosmetic surgery as a weak attempt to boost what little self esteem your broken psyche has left. If you need a new face to feel better about yourself then you're pretty bad off and no new face is going to fix the real problem.
Now if your face is attacked by a herd of wild buffalo then I can understand, I'm just talking about the people that think their nose is too big and that's why they can't get a job. This is just me mounting my high horse though. I'm sure someone can try to give a reason why cosmetic surgery is more than a vain attempt to improve one's view of their self-worth.

That was enlightening Micah, to say the least. You are pretty, this is true. Don't change a thing. Hey, I never said I wanted actual surgery, just whitening my teeth and Lasik. Come on, you know how obsessive I get about whitening my teeth...

I’m noticing a pattern in everyone's blog that they keep claiming they would never have plastic surgery. I would agree, in the terms that changing your body is changing the form in which you were brought into this world and it's part of who your are. However, I think were almost taught to believe it's wrong to criticize yourself. Mom and Dad, because of our lack of self-esteem, teaches us that we need to be satisfied with our own physical appearance.

Yet, I ask this questions: what if god came down from the heavens and claimed he made a mistake when he made you, therefore, you could change anything about your physical appearance you wanted to. I'm sorry, but you cannot tell me that you would say "No that's ok. I think I'll pass."

Don't get me wrong; I do believe plastic surgery is deforming the temple that is your body. I wouldn't actually participate. But I think I would be lying if I stated there wasn't a thing I would like done to myself.

Personally i dont think cosmetic surgery is the magic answer to peoples problems. Once you have something done you find something else wrong with yourself and you just want to have more surgery until you are so called "perfect" I dont think there is anyone out there that is absolutly 100% happy with the way they look, but people really need to gain some self confidence and learn to be happy with what you have. I'm not always satisfied with the way I look but I've learned to deal with it and be thankful I'm alive and healthy!

Laura- unlike some people we know...("I wonder if Hallmark makes a 'Congrats on your new nose' card?" Haha)

Everyone seems to be against plastic surgery, but I have to say I disagree. You are always going to be unhappy if you are dissatisfied with your body. You're always gonna look in the mirror and wish your nose was a little smaller, your stomach was a little flatter, or your face a little less wrinkled.
Personally, if I had the money, I would have it done.

The most I would have done is LASIK eye surgery (I did). Best decision I've ever made, but I doubt I would do anything else.