Marie Claire Article
Do you think she needs cosmetic surgery?
Injections in her forehead - "as a preventative measure" - and I have become strangely addicted to the reality TV show Extreme Makeover. Each week, as a previously saggy 30-somehting emerges taut and toned, from her surgical marathon, I feel a twinge of insecurity. Should I be investing in a nip and tuck? Would a shot of Botox here or a lift there drastically improve the way I look - and feel? And I'm not the only one who's thinking this way. "I've seen a flurry of people who've come to me after watching these TV shows," says Howard Webster of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. In the past 10 years, the society has recorded what it describes as a "large increase" in the number of cosmetic procedures performed by its members, and received over 1300 inquiries from the public in the last three months of 2004 alone.
I've decided to visit five Melbourne clinics to find out whether I should be considering what's on offer. My self-esteem is fairly robust, but as i make the appointments, I start to worry that they might agree to perform operations I don't seriously think I need.
Here's what they have to say...
Sitting in reception at the Cosmetic Surgery for Women, I fill out a questionnaire asking my reasons for seeking treatment. I'm impressed that my mental - as well as physical - heath is being assessed.
Plastic surgeon Jane Paterson asks me to show her where I'd like liposuction. "You have great legs below the knee," she says, "and good muscle tone here," pointing to my thighs. She warns me that 10 per cent of patients are left with asymmetrical thighs (which need a further operation to correct), and that I will have to stay in hospital overnight. "Liposuction is a big operation with the potential for complications," she adds. "You need to think about it seriously."
Cowed, I bring up breast augmentation and say that I'd like to be a D-cup. Paterson explains that most people have several consultations to ensure they choose the correct size, and cautions that as I have considerable breast tissue, implants may cause my nipples to droop. "If you're the sort of person who worries about these things, don't do it," she advises. I rely, "Well, I can always have them out if I don't like them, can't I?"
"Yes, but if you're even thinking about that, don't have it done." is her response.
I ask if I can have my breasts and thighs done at the same time, "It's not something that I'd recommend, as it would mean three and a half hours under general anesthetic, with other consequent risks," says Paterson.
At the end of the consultation, I'm taken to a different office where I'm encouraged to look at more "before and after" pictures, and talk to the office manager about surgery costs. Then Paterson comes into the room.
"Can I tell you what I think?" she asks. "If you want to, go away and consider the breast augmentation, but leave your thighs - you've got very good legs already. In fact wait six months and see how you feel about it all.
I feel like hugging her for saying no.
Clinic: Cosmetic Surgery for Women
Consultation fee: $120
Procedures offered to Felicity: None
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