I’ve had some laser treatments to get rid of tiny blood vessels around my nose and on my cheeks. And some freezing procedures to get rid of icky spots on my torso. I’ve been pretty lucky with my skin, though, so nothing else. As far as I know, I only have one friend who does Botox, and that’s 'cause her daughter is a dermatologist.
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I haven’t ever bothered. Had breast cancer 3 yr ago so I’m gonna wear my wrinkles with pride for as long as I live.
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Aw, @thumper1 , you and me both! I have sharpei eyes!
I have a friend who had a nose job when she was in high school (had a big bumpy nose like her mom who also had a nose job) but that is the only person I know who had cosmetic surgery.
My mother-in-law had her eyelids done a few years ago so she could see better.
I don’t think cosmetic surgery is very common here at all. Lot of aging hippies here and natural and organic folks.
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I’d love to be brave enough to get my Jowl’s tightened and have my nice smooth jawline again, but that scares me. I’ve been to 2 surgeons, both well known. What worries me specifically is what would happen to the corners of my mouth.
I know they pull up the muscles up now and not over like they used to (that’s where that joker look comes from). That has been refined. But one surgeon said it still effects those muscles somewhat and does pull over a little. So it really is the skill of the surgeon.
If you look at Jane Fonda, which I think is a marvelous job, you can still see the corners of her mouth look too straight across. The very corners of people’s mouths (not lips) naturally turn down when not smiling, even young girls.
DH is afraid something will go wrong, too. I’d love to have my Jawline back, but for now I’ll just smile more and lift the jawline taut! Lol! And enjoy my Botox brows and “not mad” look. I was afraid of Botox for more than a decade, now I’ll do it as long as I can.
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Me too sister! The treatments definitely aged me, but I’m just happy to be alive!
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These types of procedures are rare in my world. My friends and colleagues tend to be down to earth and just let nature take its course. Hair coloring and (mostly minimal) makeup are as far as most of us go, to the best of my knowledge. I do have one friend who uses Retin-a and expensive skin care products, but she’s the exception.
I’ve only ever known two people who had cosmetic surgery. One was an acquaintance, a man in his 50s or so, who had the eyelid surgery many have mentioned. I’d assumed he simply had that heavy-lidded “Thurston Howell the 3rd” type expression, until he explained he’d grown frustrated with how the droopy lids impeded his vision. He was so relieved to be able to see again.
The other was a woman, a friend of a friend, probably 45-50-ish, who had a face lift. Unfortunately something went wrong during surgery. She spent a month in the ICU, and ended up with permanent lung damage, which affected her quality of life. Her health continued to decline and she died a couple of years later. Very sad.
Have you considered a Thread Lift? Minimally invasive, good results but not permanent.
A friend of mine had it about six months ago; it still looks good even though I thought it would last fewer than six months.
I guess I’m weird. You look beautiful in both pictures, but I like the before better.
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I find the idea of a thread lift interesting. My neck bugs me and I’d love for it to be tighter.
I never have. I’ll look into it.
Um, okay?
I had an eye lift done about 10 years ago. I was very happy with the results but lately it looks as if I need a “touch up” on one eye. I have had Botox for my “11 s” and need it redone. I’m a bit overdue.
As for those who think no one in the midwest does this - hmmm… I live in a city in the midwest and there are several plastic surgeons near me (including a few in walking distance). H and I grew up in small towns in rural midwest and when we recently visited family there I noticed at least 2 practices there. Someone is keeping them in business. Just sayin’
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I have had Botox and Filler.
I had very deep lines between my brows & people always thought I was angry.
I visited one doctor, and she suggested Botox and filler. She had a very good reputation so; I went with her advice. Well, let me tell you it was a disaster. She hit a vein with the filler. I had no idea just how bad that could be. (Read the fine print!) She immediately went into panic mode. Had the filler dissolved to avoid any clotting issues. That was a waste of $1000. Yep, she didn’t refund my money 
Several years later I still was not happy with the deep 11 lines. Found a new doctor. She is wonderful and does the bare minimum to ease my ‘angry look.’ I go about 2 times a year.
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Oh, I didn’t express myself well. It’s not that I think people in the midwest don’t do this (I am a doctor so I do pre-op exams on people who plan cosmetic procedures, so know that they do) it’s that it is highly dependent on social circle. It really is rare in some social circles.
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Truly! And my crowd (not in the Midwest) does not do this. I have a friend who has tried Botox for migraines, though. Most of my friends wear minimal make-up, too, and we just look like ourselves, bags under the eyes and all. No one would ever look at me and wonder if I had had something done!
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I am fair skinned and have been religious about the use of sunblock and wearing sunglasses since I was young. Never the less, while I don’t really have crows feet, I do have the “11’s” between my brows likely because of facial expressions. My eyelid droop is hereditary, my siblings (males included) have all had to have surgery as I did.
Over the last 5 years, I have had fillers 4 times for special occasions. I had Botox once, but then was recommended to have Dysport instead. I found the Dysport to work quicker, and last a bit longer. If I could financially do it on a consistent basis, I would. When I had it, I would wake up in the morning and look refreshed instead of tired and haggard.
ETA, like conmama, I really saw the difference in the eyebrow lift
My father was a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He forbade me from sunbathing- I complained then but I sure look a lot younger than my friends now! I have done Botox on my 11’s as well. I don’t have a crazy amount of units my friends have (I do about 25 and my friends do like 45). I go every 5 months or so.
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I do 2 unit’s for each eyebrow (was surprised when I found out it was done under the tail of each brow at the end) and 20 units for the “,ll’s, I also have a unit put in twice a year for a small bunny line on the upper bridge of my nose.
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