Plastic Surgery?

Could be either one depending on the person getting the work done.

My mom got a boob job, she was a size AA all her life - that was both! It affected her self esteem, but it also greatly improved how she looks.

I don't think about it. There is nothing wrong with my wife's self esteem and she wants a boob job. I'll write a check this afternoon if it makes her happy.

I had plastic surgery when I was 5. My brother slammed an easel in my face and slit it open from lip to ear. I am so thankful my parents paid to have a plastic surgeon come in and fix everything, otherwise I'd have a humongous Frankenstein scar.

In my case, self improvement. NOT that I have had any cosmetic surgery however I have considered it.

Good question.

Can be both. I can't pick one or the other.

Extreme case but self improvement would be if I had my face ripped off by a dog attack or a bad car accident. Although that could cause low self esteem, the major motivation for me would be self improvement.

Another example: I have small/ medium boobs. In the past, I've dreamt of getting them done to get some big D's for vain superficial reasons, nothing medical. The major motivation for this (in MY case) was from low self esteem due to different reasons in my past.

Side note: I'm happy to say now that I love my perky boobs.

I think most women are too obsessed with breast size. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about it if you got em but it's not what I'm looking for in a woman.

I think if it makes you feel better about yourself then go for it! I myself would like to have some things done (such as my girls) but I think only time will tell if it is the right thing for me. But honestly we will never be able to keep up with gravity and aging..its just not that simple!!!

But for all those who want to improve themselves...Go for it!!!! I would much rather be happy with myself than be unhappy!!! We only live once!

It depends on what you think the outcome is going to bring to your life. For some folks, it's no different than getting contacts instead of glasses, or braces on their teeth, or coloring their hair. For others, they think it's going to completely change their lives or how they feel about themselves.

Many many many years ago, my sister bleached her dark brown hair platinum blonde. And she got a TON of attention from it. Did that make her happy? No... because she thought, "What a bunch of shallow idiots these people are!" And dyed her hair back within days.

If someone treated me better just because I had lighter hair or bigger boobs, they're not someone I'd want to know. On the other hand, people might respond better to you if you feel better about yourself. So... if you're doing it for you and have reasonable expectations, I see no problem. If you're doing it for anyone else, eff 'em!

It depends on what you think the outcome is going to bring to your life. For some folks, it's no different than getting contacts instead of glasses, or braces on their teeth, or coloring their hair. For others, they think it's going to completely change their lives or how they feel about themselves.

Many many many years ago, my sister bleached her dark brown hair platinum blonde. And she got a TON of attention from it. Did that make her happy? No... because she thought, "What a bunch of shallow idiots these people are!" And dyed her hair back within days.

This brings up a good point that the OP's question can be applied to any kind of actions that change your outward appearance... Perms, hair straightening, highlights/color, makeup, Spanx/shapewear, etc.

I don't think you can make any blanket statement about people who get plastic surgery. If you feel you need it and can afford it, who am I to say that you can't or shouldn't do it? I won't judge. It's another form of body modification, like tattoos and piercings. You do what you like with your body, and I will do with mine what I please.

Where does Lasik fall???? Because I want that *kitten*. Insurance says it's vanity and doesn't cover it......Bullf*cking$hit

i think in cases of reconstructive surgery post-trauma (car accidents, burns, birth defects like cleft lips etc.), gastric bypass for those that NEED it, skin tightening after dramatic weight loss, and surgeries that would increase confidence due to delayed or stagnant growth (like the person whose mother got breast augmentation after being AA all her life)--those are instances that i applaud.

for vanity's sake--can't say i endorse or agree with it. i'm all for natural, graceful aging.

my two cents.

I have an adopted daughter born with bi-lateral cleft palate and lip. She had 4 cranio-facial (fancy word for plastic) surgeries within 4 months of coming home to us (she was 17 mos. old). She is almost 4 and will likely have 4 - 6 more surgeries between next March and the age of 18. Beyond that, she may choose to do additional plastic surgeries for refinement (beyond recommended "correction of defect".

If she chooses to have additional "cosmetic" procedures, I will fully support her decision in that (as long as she does not wish to look like catwoman whats-her-name from NYC).

I was raised to value myself and others, and I have a high self-esteem. I hope to promote that with all my children. That said, I fully intend to have a neck lift, face lift and brow lift in the next 10 years. I would like that neck lift now, actually, if anyone has $8k they'd like to offer up.

It's maintenance, baby, maintenance.

:laugh: