TresSugar

Would You Have a Postbaby Boob Job?

Kate Stahl — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:36:53 PST

When I had my C-section, my mom (who had two of her own) told me her only regret after having my brother was that she didn't request a tummy tuck after delivery, a somewhat shocking statement from my totally low-key, nonvain mother. Of course, back then, I was still operating under the illusion that my body would snap back to its prepregnancy state within a few months and my formally flat abs would return with little to no effort. Now, nine and a half months later, I'm still holding on to seven pounds of baby weight. Despite working out three to four times a week, I'm sporting stretch marks that, for some reason, only affected my left side, and I'm still trying to embrace my other pregnancy parting gifts: back fat, wider hips, and flattened chest - one side effect I totally didn't expect!

Considering I've always been very small-chested, I didn't think pregnancy and breastfeeding would take too big of a toll, but going from an A cup to a C+, then back again, has not been pretty, and suddenly, I'm thinking a boob job might not be a bad idea. Are you on the same page as me? Would you consider a postbaby breast lift or implants? Weigh in below!

The Scary, Popular Plastic Surgery You've Never Heard Of

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:16:53 PDT

"Pumping" is a cheap, fast way to make your lips fuller, increase your breast or buttock size, and smooth wrinkles. It can also kill you, cause horrific infections, and put you in incredibly unrelenting pain for the rest of your life. At best, it'll just permanently disfigure you 10 or 15 years down the line. So what is it, and how can you avoid it? NPR just did a fascinating story on pumping and its victims, and it was incredibly informative as well as terrifying. To find out what pumping is and what the red flags are, just keep reading.

New Fat Bank Allows Patients to Freeze Their Fat For the Future

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:28:00 PDT

Orlando cosmetic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Hartog is opening the Liquid Gold LipoBank tomorrow, a "fat bank" where patients who have liposuction store removed fat for use at a later date (like when they want to smooth wrinkles or enlarge their breasts).

While freezing fat might seem like a great way to keep a natural filler and plumper on hand, some surgeons are generally leery of the idea. Those against it note that freshly taken fat is more stable and cite concerns about potential mix-ups at the "bank," which could prove deadly. Also, a 2007 survey of surgeons conducted by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal found that "the clinical optimism expressed by the proponents of the procedure has not been corroborated by objective scientific assessments."

Dr. Hartog says that fat freezing eliminates the need for more invasive treatments (and the need to go under anesthesia multiple times) because it allows you to inject more in later. He also explains that the fat is specially treated with protectants to help it last a lifetime at the bank. Still, keeping your liposuctioned fat around just in case you want to fill in your wrinkles in a decade or two is now a possibility. Thanks, science?

Can't Shake Those Last 10 Pounds? Freeze Away Your Fat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:07:22 PDT

If you've dieted and exercised but can't seem to get rid of your stubborn muffin top or saddlebags, the FDA-approved CoolSculpting treatment may be for you. Developed by Harvard scientists, the nonsurgical and painless weight loss procedure essentially freezes your fat away without damaging your skin. It's not helpful for big weight loss but may be perfect for those struggling with resistant areas they want to spot treat.

A noninvasive applicator sucks on the area being treated, and for an hour your fat cells are lowered to a temperature that kills them but leaves your skin cells unharmed. As a result, the fat cells stop working and are metabolized over time - it takes two to four months to see a 20 percent reduction in fat in the treated area. Patients will experience a firm pulling sensation, intense cold, and pressure during the procedure and mild bruising afterward, but there's no recovery time necessary.

Keep reading to find out how much CoolSculpting costs.

Glee Takes On Teen Insecurity and Plastic Surgery With Help of Lady Gaga

Annie Scudder — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:00:14 PDT

On last night's episode of Glee, the club takes on physical insecurities, a battle most high schoolers face. When Rachel breaks her nose, her doctor suggests she gets a nose job, causing her to consider plastic surgery to fix her so-called flaw.

Just last week, we debated the value of young people getting plastic surgery to diminish insecurity and stop bullying, a practice making headlines. Many of you said it's not, because sticking it out helps you learn to love what makes you unique, hopefully with the support of friends and family. With the help of Lady Gaga's song "Born This Way" the Glee Club comes to the same conclusion. At the end of the episode, they perform the song wearing shirts plastered with the word or phrase describing the feature they're most self-conscious about. Mr. Schue's shirt reads "Butt Chin." Kurt's notes he "Likes Boys" and Mercedes touts the fact she has "No Weave." Check out the video, and then share in the comments: What would you have written on your shirt in high school?

Why Children Should or Shouldn't Get Plastic Surgery

Tara Sharp — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:45:00 PDT

The other day I asked what you thought of 7-year-old Samantha Shaw getting plastic surgery to correct her cup ears, and you had a lot to say on the issue in the comments and on Facebook. This specific case (which some of you liken to getting braces) isn't as extreme as if, for instance, Samantha was getting breast implants, and most of you agreed with me that mom may be causing more damage than the "defect," since she was the one pressuring Samantha to get her ears fixed and more concerned with potential bullying than her daughter. But both those in favor of and against the surgery had well-thought-out responses and reasoning, so I wanted to share your comments from the two sides of the debate.

For Surgery

"I was teased about my ears when I was younger, and finally at 12 my parents and I consulted with a plastic surgeon. I was bullied about it a little but mainly it was a self confidence issue. I really wanted it done . . . until I saw the pictures of what the surgery would actually look like, and the bloody operating room pics scared me and I said no. My parents never brought it up again. Now 27, I wish I hadn't seen the pictures and just had the procedure. I hate my ears, I can't ever wear my hair up because of them, all you see are ears! . . . So in a way I think it's good for parents to do this for their child when they are young, recovery is quicker and in my opinion when they become teens or adults they'll be happy to have had it already taken care of." - Julia2020
"I don't think pinning back ears is a big deal. The recovery is much faster and less painful then the 2+ years of braces that most people put their children through. My mom took my brother to a plastic surgeon to get a huge and deep mole removed when he was 10 because it kept growing. I guess he could have lived with a huge mole on his face, but really I think he would appreciate it when he gets older that he doesn't have one there." - sillybunnie
"The thought of this makes me cringe. After giving it some thought, I've come up with this . . . initially I say hell no, but then I think, some of these low self-esteem people ponder suicide. I'd rather have my child alive with plastic than buried with concrete. 'Tis a sad world we live in." - Jess

To see what those against the surgery had to say, keep reading.

Should Plastic Surgery Be Used to Stop Bullying?

Tara Sharp — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:00:00 PDT

A 7-year-old getting plastic surgery sounds extreme, but the girl's mother says it's to prevent her from being bullied over her cup ears, one of which is a lop ear.

When interviewed on Good Morning America the little girl, Samantha Shaw, said that she wasn't bullied, but the mom was adamant that she was, especially by adults. To me, it sounds like her mom's the one with the issue; maybe the girl wouldn't have a complex about it if her mom wasn't so concerned about her getting the surgery. The doctor who performed the surgery, Dr. Steven Pearlman, said this about using plastic surgery on children: "Well, it depends where you draw the line. If it's minor, if it's cosmetic, absolutely not. But in my book and [that of] most of the medical community, the plastic surgery community, ears that stick out is not a cosmetic issue."

I feel like it's crazy to look at bullied children as the ones who need to change, instead of the bullies. Maybe parents and teachers should focus on teaching kids (or adults!) that we shouldn't make fun of people for their abnormalities, and that we all have things that make us unique and special, which is a good thing. On the other hand, I can see that there's a difference between deformities that hinder quality of life versus cosmetic procedures that prevent someone from being teased. It's not always black and white.

So I'm wondering, do you think it's right to use plastic surgery on a child to prevent bullying? Or does it depend on the situation?

DVF on One-Night Stands, Kate Middleton, and Plastic Surgery

Tara Sharp — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:00:18 PDT

In her interview with the Telegraph, 64-year-old Diane von Furstenberg explains the motivation for her iconic wrap dress design, shares her recommendation for Kate Middleton's wedding gown designer, and opens up about her thoughts on plastic surgery.

On her quote from the '80s about designing the wrap dress without zippers for quietly leaving a sleeping man: "Haven't you ever tried to creep out of the room unnoticed the following morning? I've done that many times."

On Kate Middleton: "I think she should go for Alexander McQueen. But you know what? She reminds me more and more of Diana. Everything about her. I think she's there to avenge Diana's memory - that's clearly what William wants. Giving Kate his mother's ring was a great gesture, and I think that theirs will be a happy version of his parents' marriage. But he absolutely chose a woman who was like his mother - that was deliberate."

On utilizing her sexuality in the workplace: "I had good legs and I loved showing them off. Yes, I used the aspects of being a woman to my advantage, but I worked for myself, not a big corporation, so I was lucky to have the freedom to behave however I liked."

On plastic surgery: "Sometimes I think that we've regressed . . . All these women with fake breasts and cosmetic surgery - all that just objectifies us again . . . But I think the pendulum will swing back the other way. The whole point about beauty is its imperfection."

Group Therapy: My Boyfriend Says I'm Not Pretty

Tres Community — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:05:56 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

About a year ago I got plastic surgery because I was really unhappy with the way my nose looked. A lot of this unhappiness came when my boyfriend told me that he was embarrassed to introduce me to his friends because of the way my nose looked. That really burned! . . . I was really heartbroken, and I got rhinoplasty.

Since I got plastic surgery, I felt like a new woman. I was confident, and I thought I looked great. Last night my boyfriend mentioned that he thinks I need to get a second opinion and perhaps a second operation. He also told me he doesn't think I'm pretty.

I'm seriously crushed right now . . . I don't know what to do. I feel terrible!! I can't stop comparing myself to other women in his life and wondering what he thinks of them. I don't want to be looked at touched or talked to. I really, really, REALLY love him, and I was so happy with him until last night.

It seems like such a small thing to break up with someone over (so he doesn't think I'm pretty big deal right?) but it still hurts, and I have no idea how to get over it.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Postdivorce "Revenge" Plastic Surgery Is Supposedly a Thing

Colleen Barrett — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:35:52 PST

When it comes to divorce, a new survey says, revenge is a dish best served on the operating table. I prefer revenge to be creative, meme-worthy, and raging, so a boob job, moob job, and something known as the "yummy mummy package" don't really make the cut.

The results, also, don't exactly represent the average divorcée. The survey was done at Transform Cosmetic Surgery in the UK, and it found 62 percent of its clients were newly divorced and 11 percent of them were men. Of course, it could be that clients are looking to prep for reentering the dating world or their divorce settlements are just begging to be spent, but 48 percent said they had plastic surgery to make their exes jealous.

So maybe there is some truth to it, but isn't it just like the pricier, more painful, and slightly crazier version of looking hot when you see an ex?