Have you had plastic surgery? Was it worth it?

It killed my career!

It killed ME!

I look fine

I never felt like I really needed it. I’m not keen on having surgery of any kind since I never have. I feel like the only thing that can truly improve someone’s looks is a nose job. Mine is perfect, but does everyone need a small, perfect nose?

I meant to write mine is NOT perfect

I had my eyelids and neck/chin done a few years ago. I was pretty swollen for about a week, but the lack of pain really surprised me. I’m happy with the results. My face sort of looked like it was starting to melt and now with the excess skin removed I look a lot better.

Am 52 and never had it, don’t consider as i never seen a good example. Conversely, maybe the good cases are the ones when you don’t know about. But with some many examples from millionaires of things going badly, i dont think so. Except maybe plugs. If that counts.

Nose job, I was 28. Had been self conscious all my life. Best thing I ever did.

When I was turning 70 5 years ago, I had my upper eyelids done. They had been seriously drooping like Stephen Sondheim in his later years and I knew they'd only get worse. In spite of my posh 5th Ave. surgeon's office that insurance would pay for it, that didn't happen, and it cost about $7000, just the anesthesia was over $1000 of that sum. I had a bit of selling for a month, not too bad actually.

But it was all well-worth it. Couldn't believe how perfect the results were. The tiny scars were in the folds so barely seen and now gone. Sometimes I wish I'd had the bags under my eyes done at the same time, but they weren't as noticeable 5 years ago. The upper lids still look great.

I’d love a neck/jowl fix. I don’t care about the wrinkles.

I’ve never considered it. The very best result I could hope for might raise me to the status of most people’s “before” picture but at my age the only thing that would make me attractive would be possessing a hoard of money so vast that it made me a household name.

Nope. I’m invisible now, have been for years, and the next big event in my life will be dying.

Everyone thinks I still look 27!

I look like Maggie Smith in the Harry Potter movies and I'm only 60.

*sigh*

I think many people esp older ones are getting it for job related reasons, more opportunities, sales type job etc so many of them have work done.

I've posted this before, but in my 20s and 30s I had multiple surgeries due to my Body Dysmorphia. I'd spend hours looking in the mirror examining my facial flaws and manipulating my face to imagine what I'd look like with prominent cheekbones, a smaller nose, stronger chin.

I spent over $100k over this period and looking at old "before" pictures I now realize I was actually good looking but was so insecure and had a horrible adolescent "ugly" phase.

My last procedure was a facelift at age 35. At that point I accepted this is what I'm going to look like, as I'd completely made over every feature of my face.

And no I don't look like that Jocelyn Wildenstein woman, no one can tell I've had surgery (but I don't display any young photos of myself at home).

[quote]And for the holdouts, would you ever do it? What’s stopping you? Money?

When I was younger and self conscious about losing my hair (early/mid 30's) I couldn't afford it.

Now, in my late 40's, I could probably afford it, but I just no longer really give a shit what people think.

R15 This is interesting. How do you feel about yourself now? Do you have movie star good looks, high cheekbones, a chiseled jawline, etc? I suppose I’m wondering if the procedures made an appreciable difference and worked as advertised. Also, what did your friends/family think of this radical overhaul?

Mother told me I was the most beautiful boy in the whole world and I choose to believe her.

I had a facelift and a hair transplant to extend my professional career. The work did not essentially change how I looked.

I think about doing my eyes these days, but at my advanced age, I don't won't to have anesthesia again.

I now have a good skin regimen which knocks off a few years. But, hey, I'm good with what I've got.

I don't regret the plastic surgery at all.

R14 - that's absolutely true. The biggest increase in business at my plastic surgeon's office has been middle aged executive men.

You know you're going to hit the age discrimination - better start in on some upkeep by your mid to late 30's before it's too late. (I mean Botox and skin care).

If you wait to do skin care or Botox or other maintenance, your only options are pretty much surgery by your early to mid 50's.

I want to get an eye lift. I’m still beautiful but have these deep bags because of my nights from binging. They aren’t going away fast enough.

Yes and yes

I had my ears pinned back in my 20's and it was the best thing I've ever done for my self confidence. Growing up being called Dumbo and a plethora of other cruel taunts as kids are known for had a major affect on my confidence in crowds and social settings.

I'm seriously considering it, but am so terrified of surgery!

I’m 66 and so want to have a tummy tuck

So tired of my huge stomach

And I know I’m setting myself up but too old?

R25 Never!

I had a rhinoplasty and upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelids). Yes it was really worth it.

R23 is Don Henley

Some of these are hard to believe - like this one. You think this is the same guy?

Shockingly, he's 45! I don't know if he lost a lot of weight and his face sagged - but he looked 65 before!

My face is pretty good, it’s my posture that is crying out for help. Also have that skinny/older unfortunate neck thing going on.

You know, at this point I just want to retire and be left alone, so it really doesn’t matter if you could make handbags from the skin under my eyes.

R29, it’s not hard to believe at all. What you’re seeing is likely just a deep plane facelift, some chin lipo, and what looks like a rhinoplasty.

In Korea, they take it to another level. There are surgeons who’ll give you the full Heidi Montag special - ten procedures in one go. And they don’t even bother walking you through it all. They use their discretion to decide what you “need,” and when you wake up, voila. You’re a whole new person, whether you like it or not.

Has anyone who's had plastic surgery been able to get their insurance to pay for any of it?

I’m a hold out who hasn’t done it because my skin isn’t sagging, for now. I have some wrinkles around my eyes, but other than that! I barely have wrinkles on my forehead, & I’ve yet to have jowls.

My neck is still holding up, and hasn’t sagged or wrinkled up either, and my chest is still just fine.

I have barely any wrinkled skin for my age, other than my hands.

Eventually, I most DEFINITELY will look my age, but it hasn’t happened severely, as of yet.

I know it’s coming, & honestly, when that time hits? I’ll probably go under the knife.

I’ve always taken meticulous care of my skin, have used Retin A since my late 30s, & have worn sunscreen daily since my early 20, including on my face, neck, nape, ears, & my entire body whenever necessary. I never needed to tan, but when I did, I wore the highest sunscreen index possible.

All of the above being stated, aging usually comes down to genetics, & fortunately, I have good genes when it comes down to my skin, specifically.

R33, there usually needs to be a medical justification, like a deviated septum causing breathing issues or sagging eyelids obstructing your vision. That said, some surgeons are willing to work with you and get a bit more “creative” with the insurance companies.

I'm in a wonderful monogamous relationship, shocking to the dl, I know! So I really don't care as I'm aging cause I'm not looking. But, if I become an old widower I'll need something. I hate needles and could use a little in my forehead but it's gotten better because I spend a shitload of $$ on good face creams and they aren't painful. I also bouse a vibration board and that damn thing is AMAZING for my legs and arms. I highly recommend. The maintenance is what I don't want to get into for the surgeries and the Botox/fillers. Every couple months you have to go. Did you know women with breast implants have to have them redone every 10 years or so. Ugh

R29, no way are those two men the same guy!

Was there a nose job as well? They don’t even have the same brow line or the bone structure at the brow line itself.

R36 Botox is really, really painless. I also have a needle phobia and Botox doesn’t even phase me anymore. The maintenance is annoying but $500 every 6-8 months is a small price to pay for a taut forehead.

R37 A deep plane facelift often raises the tails of the brows. An endoscopic brow lift can also take years off your face.

My mom went to Mexico for a face lift. I really don't see a difference from how she looked before, but she does so whatever.

I’m a 58 year old man and have Juviderm fillers in the lines from the corners of my mouth. I was starting to look like the Mailman on The Year Without a Santa Claus. They were really bothering me and after years of looking at my face day in and day out on video calls I really was getting self conscious about it. I tried growing a beard but hated it and while my hair on my head is still mostly brown, my beard was coming in mostly silver.

I was at my dermatologist for something else and there was a poster for Juviderm. I asked him about it and he said it was very easy and that half his patients are men and most younger than me.

I am very happy with the results. So far I have had it done twice, the first time lasted just over a year.

The second time I did it I asked for some in the deep line between my eyes but he said that should be treated with Botox. I declined that out of fear of side effects (botulism!) and looking perpetually surprised. I may change my mind one day.

Turkey seems to be the place everyone’s going for affordable plastic surgery these days. Facelifts, nose jobs, hair restoration - Istanbul is apparently THE spot. It’s even being called the plastic surgery capital of Europe. From what I’ve read, a lot of Turkish surgeons trained in the U.S. and are known for their expertise. Plus, the clinics there offer all inclusive packages that cover everything, which definitely makes it easier for people traveling for procedures.

Eyelids twice, the rest of my face is fine. I loved the results and the recovery was extremely quick so highly recommended. I also had lipo once and the pain was indescribable, but I still don't regret it because I hate to think what I'd would look like if I hadn't done it. I'd like to have my neck tucked because all I see when I look in the mirror is my turkey neck even though my friends tell me I look fine.

R43 Trust your eyes, not your friends.

R43 My best friend had lipo and she also described the pain as “breathtaking.” Her stomach IS flat now, but kind of looks like it was pounded flat with a shovel. She’s thrilled with the way she looks in a one piece bathing suit, however.

R41, I love Juvederm, even though I haven’t used it in a very long time.

It lasted around 2 years for me when I had it done, and I believe it lasted as long, because the doctor also used Voluma 2 weeks later, as part of the procedure.

I don’t consider Botox or fillers plastic surgery.

Botox is great, I've been getting it for 15 years.

At this point I've got a pretty good skincare routine... actually getting serious work done (nose, eyes, hairline and maybe chin could all be tweaked for moderate improvement) , but I'm very wary. I'd rather drop those last 10 pounds, start a facial yoga and gua sha routine before doing something which can't be easily undone

Even though I’m well into my 60s, I still have a square jawline & high cheekbones, so I’m good.

Juvederm and Botox but I’ve never been cut. I’d like to have a simple neck lift but it’s pretty expensive where I live. Bangkok is another popular budget plastic surgery destination.

[quote] but at my advanced age

Which is? Sixties, seventies?

Where does one go for Juviderm? Plastic surgeon? Doctor? Dermatologist? Spa?

r34, you very conveniently left out your age. How old are you?

R51 Any of the above. MedSpa is the most common, check out Yelp and Reddit.

I would advise Voluma over Juvederm. Both are based on hyaluronic acid, but Voluma contains a greater concentration and lasts a lot longer. I've done both over the years - but Voluma wasn't around back then.

The HA (hyaluronic acid) fillers create collagen and don't move around like other fillers. I remember when I first got filler in 2010, I could actually push it around in my face. These fillers are not like that.

Voluma last me about 18-20 months. Fillers used to break down every 7-9 months before. It's not really that expensive.

PLUS - it prevents more wrinkles and sagging because it lifts your face up.

R43 “Trust your eyes, not your friends”.

No. Trust your friends.

Depends on your friends.

R15, just curious how you found a surgeon willing to perform a face lift on a 35 y/o. That seems slightly crazy to me and possibly unethical. Not your fault, of course -- I'm talking about the money-grubbing surgeon.

[quote] and Botox doesn’t even phase me

Oh, dear.

R57, I have read that early intervention is ideal for the best long term results.

I've had Botox, and it worked really well. I would get it about every six months, but it's expensive, and I worry about the muscles of my face getting weak.

I'm thinking about getting vaser liposuction with skin tightening on my stomach and flanks.

At 54, I was (finally) diagnosed with an endocrine disorder, hypogonadism, and started testosterone injections. By 57, my body transformed as though I went on a trip in a time machine. I lost about 80 pounds and through weightlifting and exercise my musculature rebounded and my skin responded well, with small areas of sagging from weight loss. The only problem was remnants of gynecomastia — I had big boobs. My HMO covered plastic surgery for it, half moon incisions under the areolas and removal of breast tissue. A couple months after, the incision sites were completely healed.

I believe that the only reason I finally got treatment was because I told my PCP that my breast hurt and I felt a hard lump. He put in a referral to the HMO’s Breast Center. The doctor there felt me up and told me it was not cancer, but gynecomastia. Referral to an endocrinologist, lots of tests and imaging, and a diagnosis. I had discussed my symptoms with my PCP for years, but he was one of those “you just need to exercise more and eat less” HMO doctors. At 60 now, I feel better than I did throughout my 50s. I have other health issues, but this one affected my life the most.

So even HMOs will cover plastic surgery, but there has to be a medical diagnosis that caused the problem to be corrected. An acquaintance underwent bariatric surgery with them many years ago, lost over 300 pounds, and they covered skin removal plastic surgery. He looks like a harlequin figure now, but his mobility is much improved. He had an apron of skin that nearly touched his knees before surgery.

The "Bride of Wildenstein" is claiming (in the Daily Mail today) that she's never had plastic surgery!

R62, I haven't had any, either, so I can relate!

I also had gynaecomastia surgery in 2021. I had hesitated for years and finally when I was WFH during Covid, I had time to recover in privacy (at work I meet a lot of people). It is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It has been nothing short of life changing for me and I am sorry I suffered through so many years of unhappiness with this condition.

I look 22 now. Not bad for an 80 year old!

how much is a neck lipo in NY? ballpark figure

I had a hair transplant in Istanbul last year.

It cost $6,000, looks incredible and is the best thing I've ever done. You can get them cheaper, but I wanted an actual doctor doing most of the work and being with me the whole time.

Just a little nip and tuck. Snip snip.

One transplant surgery is sufficient now, R67?

r67, where did the hair come from? Your own head?

As far as I know, R70, the donor hair always come from the lower back of the head, hair that is always programmed to survive even in the baldest of men.

r67, I had 4100 grafts and I'm nearing sixty, so yes, one transplant will be all I'll require or want.

I had a hair transplant (actually twice) in my early 30s (30 years ago). I started on finasteride soon after. It wasn't approved for hair loss yet (it was initially approved for BPH). I still take 1/2 tablet (2.5mg) a day. I have way more hair than most of my contemporaries.

[quote] I had 4100 grafts and I'm nearing sixty, so yes, one transplant will be all I'll require or want.

Things have changed so much since I had my first transplant, at 29, years ago. Although panicked then, I had experienced what I know realize was normal recession at the temples. In fact, the leading transplant surgeon in the area turned me down, saying he couldn't improve on what I had. As I was leaving, I even mentioned that I might be back in the future. He eyed me once again & expressed some doubt about whether surgery would ever be in order. But I couldn't take no for an answer, so, without any prior consultation, I had surgery performed by a quack who had a nationwide assembly line practice. He did quite the number on me, leading me on a reparative path that eventually took me back to the first surgeon I consulted. Many years, many surgeries, later, I'm now very happy with my results. I've wondered if the fullness of my hair is related to the fact that I wasn't losing my hair as I suspected in the frenzied state of my late 20s.

[quote] I have way more hair than most of my contemporaries.

An unknowing younger female co-worker gave me the look-over once & marveled at how much hair I had for my age.

I don't understand how that many grafts of hair can come from the nape of the neck without making the nape look balding. And would there really be enough nape hair available to cover the crown? Maybe I just don't get the process.

They don't come from the nape of your neck, they come from all of the sides and back of your head. Basically there is this ridge in the back of your head and all of the hair below that is genetically programmed to not ever fall out or stop growing and can be harvested and moved to a thinning area. The donor area is a huge part of your head.

40, R50.

R71 = Joe Biden

my friend is considering neck work.

Let us know how it goes. Asking for a friend.

I had an otoplasty, age 7 or 8: late 1950’s. One of the few things I remember was that the Fellow examining me pre-op was from Texas and said, “Boy, we’re gonna make you streamlined like a 707.” (The kids, bless ‘em, have no idea what I’m talking about.) Also really bloody bandages post-op. I’m sure they’ve refined it but it was two nights in the hospital then.

Most definitely worth it. Are you kidding? Do you have any idea how cruel 8 year olds can be? Sixty-plus years of not having ears that stick out has been a gift.

You're lucky r81. I would think the sentiment today would be to wait until you were grown to do the procedure. The psychological damage that could have been done to you might have been insurmountable.

Half the kids in my high school class were Jewish. It was basically a right of passage for a Jewish girl to get a nosejob the summer before her senior year. When I look at my high school yearbook, half the girls noses look the same. When I got to college I was an expert at identifying nosejobs and could soon tell in which geographic regions they were performed.

I've had Botox in my forehead. It lasted three months and then there was the sensation of a rubber band snapping under my skin and that was that. I paid over $1,000 which seemed high at the time. Haven't done it since. I'd love to get my eyes done. They're hooded and flap in the wind. My mother had the same thing. She did the eyes and an upper face lift. She looks startled but good. But it all kind of fell a few years later.

I’m completely natural and would never even consider any procedures.

[quote]Alright, girls, spill

The only surgery retard OP needs is a fuckin’ lobotomy.

[quote] Where does one go for Juviderm? Plastic surgeon? Doctor? Dermatologist? Spa?

Dermatologist.

Heavy eyelids run in my family and at 50 I had them done. So glad I did. I found an excellent plastic surgeon whose practice is about 40/60 male/female with the before and after photos to prove it. The results lasted about 10-12 years. I wish I had followed the surgeon's advice and done the lower lids as well. The heaviness in the upper lids eventually returned but not as bad as before. I'm retired now and don't feel the need to repeat the procedure. All in, it cost me around $10k.

Over the years I've had botox for the lines between my eyes to eliminate the scowl. I left the crow's feet alone.

If you're considering any facial procedure remember, only you see yourself straight on, full-face and at a close distance. Everyone else sees you from various side angles and distances. Be sure you're seeing "the whole picture". Solicit some candid feedback from a few close friends. If you're overweight with cheap haircut and ten year old eyeglass frames, eliminating a few lines around your eyes will not magically make you look ten years younger.

Heavy eyelids run in my family too. That's why I had them removed and I look younger than my younger brother (we're 7 years apart).

I had my eyelids removed!

The removed the "heavy" eyelids and left the eyelids you ass.

Maybe I'll get some eye work one of these days, but face lifts scare me. The pictures I've seen of people shortly after a face lift look like they were beat up by Mike Tyson in his prime.

R90, you cunt, (and oh, dear x 2 for your bad English), if a person can't write clearly, who are you to make assumptions?

Four snips for you, upper and lower.

I had eye surgery in my 30’s. Sent to the surgeon because my ophthalmologist pointed out I was raising my brows and tilting my head back to read. Once in the surgeon’s office he pointed out that my bags weren’t morning puffiness, but fat pads. I did both, looked like I had allergies for a couple of weeks then suddenly o looked so much better.

In my 50’s I had a lower face lift. As was mentioned above, looking straight in the mirror I looked okay, but the giant gob of fat under my chin looked huge from all of the other angles. Photos were horrifying. It made my neck look so much thinner, and I am really pleased. I bruised in weird places on my face. My lower ears were detached and reattached, because there was so much extra skin. It took about a 6 weeks to look good. I’m happy with both surgeries, and I think I look a million times better in photos now. The last thing I did was straighten my teeth via at home monitoring, over the years my smile became dominated by my two front teeth, everything else receded, and I’d always had terribly crooked lower teeth. I’m done with the surgeries. I have a good skincare routine and get Botox every 3-4 months now for my genetic 11’s between my brows.

It would be helpful if those of you who have had surgery would say if you were born male or female. Not dissing trans people but historically more women get face lifts and plastic surgery and I am wondering how many men have been through it.

I've considered foreskin restoration surgery.

My cancer surgery left my face disfigured. I had facial reconstruction surgery and now I look like myself again.

Yes, it was worth it.

R4, why do you feel that nose jobs are the only surgery that can improve someone's looks? Just wondering

aren't you afraid that the results would be uneven, esp eyes or one side too tight etc?

I want my eye bags done. I’ve had them for 20 years. Now they’re looking pretty bad

How does one even start the process of finding a trustworthy surgeon?

harrumphhagazumphshlump!

( [italic]Yes )

r99, do you regularly have your eyes examined by an optometrist? If you like/trust them, ask them for a surgeon recommendation. You can be sure they're asked all the time about eye plastic surgery. That's how I found my surgeon.

Only ask an ophthalmologist not an optometrist

No. Yes.

Natural is the only way to go.

I had my neck done two years ago at age 70. I felt fine about my appearance but not about the gobbler. The surgeon couldn't believe I didn't want the whole package, but I wanted to stay myself. To grow old gracefully. Without the gobbler neck, I feel like people take me more seriously. FWIW -- for a year after the surgery I had trouble with not having enough saliva. To get a perfect neck, the surgeon shaved my salivary glands. Had I known this was part of it, I may not have had the work done. So ask as many questions as you can. Also, I do not have full feeling in my neck. It didnt come back. I learned that 70 is almost too late for plastic facial surgery. Doing it earlier preserves what you have, as opposed to trying to get it back.

R99, I had my under eyes done by an occuloplastic surgeon. He removed the bags but didn’t remove excess skin, which he clearly should have done. The result is improved but I’m likely gonna end up going back for another surgery to really fix the issue. I agree to ask lots of questions—and to examine the shit out of yourself to identify potential issues because the doctor might not do this on their own. Sadly.

If he didn't remove the excess skin, WTF did he do, r106?

He removed the fat from under my eyes. I guess he assumed my skin was more elastic than it really was and I didn’t need skin removed too? I don’t really know. All I do know is that even after surgery I still have bags under my eyes.

R105 Don’t let them scare you. It’s never too late!

I've had some filler to nasolabial lines (mouth to nose) and a little lip filler to restore volume. Restored some prettiness but was natural looking. Well worth it and lasts about 12 months

How much was your lip injection

I want to go to Steven Levine in NY for a literal uplift but his prices start at 45K. He did Lohan, Pitt and Demi, allegedly, and we know how good those look.

I have had Botox about six or seven times over 12 or so years. I have a frown line between my eyebrows (thanks, Dad) that makes me look kind of angry in photos so it helps with that but also brings my eyebrows up a bit too much for awhile until they settle. I actually prefer Dysport.

I have gotten somewhat consistent Revitalight red LED treatments for collagen-building and they work but the salon is on the other side of town and it’s not always convenient.

I turbo charged that idea and splurged on six Forma skin tightening treatments recently. They’re quite pricey but supposedly build collagen at a more robust level than revitalight and results last longer. I did three treatments then had to skip two weeks and just finished my last treatment. We looked at the before and after pics and I see some improvement but the aesthetician said it might take a few weeks to see the final results.

Lastly, I’m probably going to get IPL to get rid of my sunspots.

You sound really stupid

Did Jackie O do plastic surgery? If so, her surgeon was terrific. She never looked artificially young or weird.

It’s the botox

Yes, R115. I’ve read she had a couple of facelifts.

r113, talk to me about sunspots. What's IPL? Where do I get it?

R108, not sure if you can relate, but I find the bags under my eyes get worse as the day wears on. In the morning, they seem minimal but by nighttime (if not earlier) they look like they've been injected with a puffy gel.

The best solution is ultimately wearing my glasses as the bottoms of the frames more or less mask the bags. And I can see better.

Growing up in Texas in the 70s and 80s, I have a lot of sunspots - IPL info is in the attached link. I’m excellent at protecting my skin with SPF now but they really age me so I’m getting mine done at a medspa. Think you need a medical aesthetician to perform the treatment, not just a regular aesthetician.

R119 Preparation H actually helps that puffiness. Get the unscented.

I considered that coolsculpting until Linda Evangelista ruined it for me.

R120 I also has lots of sunspots on my face and neck from sun damage. I had Halo laser resurfacing done and it got rid of all of them in one session. I looked into IPL but it required multiple sessions.

Was the HALO treatment done by a dermatologist, r123?

Do you remember how much it cost?

Was there any time needed to recuperate from swelling or anything else after the treatment?

R124 it was done at a cosmetic dermatologist office. It was right before COVID and I think I paid around $1,500 in NYC.

Recovery wasn't horrible but you look sunburned for a couple days then the sunspots turn black and start to peel off. I douse still go out in public but took a week off from work just to avoid nosy people asking me questions.

Douse = could (don't know how that typo happened)

Great info, r125. What makes a thread like this pay off. Thanks!

R122 I almost forgot about Cool Sculpting. I had it done to the area just under my chin (I was starting to get a little double-chin there). It worked, but for at least a month or two there was a little saggy skin that had me concerned. Fortunately, it was elastic enough that it finally went away.