What I really think (and do) about beauty surgery

How would you feel if you were offered free surgery?

One of the nice things about being a blogger is that you get offered a lot of free things and services in exchange of advertisement. Beauty treatments and beauty surgery included. Treatments are fun and I tend to try them all. Some have a short-time effect, some no effect at all. Surgery is a different story, especially because it’s so expensive, so until recently I would have thought the only way to have it is paying for it.

When my favorite surgeon in Zurich (who does botox injections to me), while discussing internet coverage for his practice, suggested me to have my eyelids done, I thought “hmmm, more than that, I should to do the bags under my eyes. And my neck is getting worse too. I should do all three things together!”. The thought of having everything done in one go, and for free…was really tempting. And I immediately wanted more. It was like George Clooney had invited me for a romantic weekend –  I felt extremely weak. So I cut the conversation short (I said: I don’t need this!), and went home. Feeling very insecure.

Two days of doubts

I wasn’t sure at all. I thought a lot about it for two days. I knew I could have one of the best surgeons in Switzerland performing his art on me, and that I would have looked younger. Yes, because I have seen his customers – men and women. Some look too “done”, but some look really quite natural. I asked myself: would I have looked better forever? And how do I feel about people who have beauty surgery done? Finally, did I say no out of pride, but secretly desired surgery?

After a lot of thinking, I gave myself these answers: no, surgery doesn’t improve you forever. In your 4o’s or 50’s, you aren’t too different from a 30 years old, so surgery can be invisible, and you really can look younger. But in your 60’s or 70’s, you are definitely far from there. So making your skin very tight or plump looks strange – even a kid sees that something is wrong.

My second question was: what do I think when I meet people who clearly had surgery? I admit that my answer is…I think they are insecure, and probably unhappy (sorry to all the people out there who, visibly,  had operations done. I am sure some of you are perfectly happy. But I can’t help thinking that).

Finally, do I secretly desire plastic surgery? Well, maybe I partly do. I am curious about it, I am interested, and I know it’s also a privilege and a luxury – a status symbol too, and I am not immune to its fascination.

Asking my family

Since I was in two minds, I asked my husband and my three daughters, in separate moments, what they thought about it. Everybody told me I was obviously free to do as I wished, and that they didn’t think I needed anything.

A final question came to my mind: when I am 80, assuming I get there of course, will I be more proud if I look “done”, or if I am, and look, natural? (Don’t tell me that good surgery is invisible – it’s not at 80). This time the answer was very clear. I had decided.

What I do now – easy: nothing!

The surgeon accepted my refusal with a confident smile and told me it’s just a matter of time. He is sure I will go back to tell him I changed my mind. For my part, I think he obviously doesn’t know me. I have a very hard head!

As Bette Davis said, getting old is not for sissies. For an attractive woman it’s even worse, and I know I’m going to hate losing my looks. But there is nothing I can do about it, surgery or no surgery. I am 51 and next round birthday is 60. Better having a deep breath about it and embrace it.

Life is a fantastic gift and I am very curious about what’s expecting me – it’s going to be interesting! Hopefully full of love, wrinkles, health and with a touch of humour.