Cosmetic Surgery: Where's the Line?

Humor me. Go through this list and count up how many of these procedures you'd have done if nobody ever had to know:

Tummy tuck
Breast implants
Breast lift
Breast reduction
Butt implants
Calf implants
Eyelid surgery
Thigh lift
Upper arm lift
Forehead lift
Chin implant
Malar Augmentation (facial structure sculpting such as cheekbones, chin, etc.)
Ear shaping
Nose job
Sclerotherapy (gets rid of varicose and spider veins)
Hair transplants
Chemical Peel/Microdermabrasion
Botox
Fat injections for to smooth wrinkles
Collagen (plump and smooth skin and lips)
Use of radio frequencies to tighten skin

I counted five for me. I don't understand the stigma attached to cosmetic medical procedures. Like anything else, people can go overboard and come out looking like Jacko, but I don't think these types of procedures are categorically evil.

There's a website called Be Wise About Beauty (bewiseaboutbeauty.com) which goes into detail about cosmetic surgery. It debunks a few popular myths about procedures and has a fluffy quiz to judge if cosmetic surgery is right for you. Granted, the website was launched by a group of cosmetic surgeons and has a slant, but in general, I found a lot of interesting details about what a doctor can specifically do. It also has details about how to choose a doctor and questions you should have in mind regarding surgery. Spending a few minutes there won't minimize your crow's feet, but it might help clear up a few misconceptions.

People love to say we should accept our bodies as they are. But almost every woman I know is comfortable with makeup, braces, hair highlights, working out, mole removal, dieting, body shaping clothing (bras, girdles, control top pantyhose), and earrings. Many women are practically unrecognizable without makeup (Oprah, anyone?). Yet there is no stigma attached to these kinds of enhancements. Is it the freak medical cases we see on talk shows and sitcoms that have produced society's gag-reflex to cosmetic surgery? Is it the cost? The blood? I've seen heinous uses of mascara that are just as disturbing as an overly ambitious boob job.

There is only so much a tube of lipstick and bottle of concealer can do. Maybe that's the point. Unlike makeup, a botched face lift or tummy tuck can have disastrous long term consequences. Luckily for me, I live in L.A. so no matter what I decide to do, I'll be accepted by my peers. I certainly haven't ruled anything out. According to the website, the average age people have cosmetic surgery is 41. I'll post a picture of myself on the blog in 14 years and you guys can see if I took the plunge or not. But I can guarantee if cosmetic surgeons ever start doing the "third arm" operation for moms, I'll be the first in line. How sexy would that be?