Life in the Boomer Lane has noticed that every time she writes anything about plastic surgery, her comments are flooded by the likes of:
Plastic surgery is disgusting. I would never alter my appearance in any way, shape, or form.
Don’t we all have better things to spend our money on?
With all the terrible things going on in the world, why would anyone devote their energy to this?
I have better things to do with my time and money than this.
I love my sags and my wrinkles and my age spots and my boils and pustules and carbuncles and I would never do anything to change them.
I despise anyone who has plastic surgery and would shoot them on sight except I am a pacifist and also despise people who own guns.
This is all really interesting, since plastic surgery not only continues to grow at unprecedented rates, but it’s boomers who are at the forefront of it all. LBL must conclude that those folks are afraid to comment, while the plastic surgery haters are out in full force.
This post is for those of you who have your plastic surgeon on speed dial, or who are considering plastic surgery, or who are continuing to tell friends and family that you have had absolutely nothing done, no way Jose, and you don’t understand why your eyelids are no longer working.
2012 saw a record number of people undergoing cosmetic procedures, with more than 14.6 million procedures performed in total, an increase of 5% over the year before. Actual surgery is down slightly, while minimally invasive surgery continues to rise. Men are having more and more cosmetic surgery.
There are plastic surgery vacations and getaways all over the world, including plastic surgery safaris to Africa. There are probably plastic surgery trips into space, for those with the money and a penchant for space food. Dermatologists, ophthalmologists, gynecologists and dentists have jumped on the plastic surgery bandwagon. It’s a matter of time before podiatrists, pediatricians and psychiatrists start doing procedures.
Why all the plastic surgery, you ask? If you can’t figure it out, go back to spending your time thinking about how Russia’s offer of political asylum to Edward Snowden may have dire consequences for the upcoming peace talks.
For the rest of you, the big news on the plastic surgery front is that boobs and butts are now taking a backseat, (notice the clever use of the words “front” and “backseat”) while facial procedure are on the rise. For the first time in years, the number of people enhancing their breasts and plumping their buttocks is declining. The number of people lifting, injecting and lasering their faces is growing. According to one doctor, “Our nation appears to be shifting its emphasis from the inflated busts and rounded behinds of Generation X and Y to the plumped cheeks and lifted necks of baby boomers.”
Botox remains the #1 procedure, followed by line fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm. Laser treatments are also on the rise. The prediction is that the number of baby boomers undergoing face lifts and eyelid lifts will rise dramatically in the coming years.
The question is, what happens when the aging process makes injectibles alone not as successful, but a full blown face lift not appealing? Plastic surgeons are dealing with that, as well. The Lifestyle Lift has been around for years.
Another example is Philadelphia Plastic surgeon, Kirk Brandow, “inspired by requests from Boomer patients” to develop a procedure that would fill the gap between fillers and face lifts. Enter “The Brandow Boomer Lift.” Procedure such as these are designed to take years off your face, while you can still tell people you’ve never had a facelift.
What does all this mean to the average boomer? You can take comfort in knowing that procedures are out there if you ever decide to take advantage of them. And, because you have aged since the time you started reading this post, you will always have a steady supply of icky things you want taken care of. If, on the other hand, you want to spend your time on either world peace or on taking a concealed weapons class, do that instead. It’s a free country, right? Well, sort of. But that’s the stuff of another post.
Life in the Boomer Lane 
BABYBOOMER johanna van zanten
August 2, 2013
Hi,
Interesting concept, babyboomers increasing their facial restoration and not owning up to it. That seems so old to me. If you have work done, give credit to the surgeon who did the work.
To each his or her own, if you like to look forever young, go for it, but I am happy to look my age, although many say I look ten years younger anyway. The unavoidable aging is a developmental process and it comes with perks and with negatives.Acceptance is beautiful and beauty is revealed from the inside out, I believe. Thanks for the post.
Johanna
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
You’re welcome, Johanna. Yes, many women (and men) don’t talk about the cosmetic surgery they have had, either because they fear negative comments or because they want everyone to think they look good naturally.
lauramacky
August 2, 2013
I find it strange that women are still feeling the need (more than men) to look younger. It’s sad that people are not looking at the spirit inside the shell but rather the shell. But such is life these days where we are used to immediate gratification and drawn to shiny, new things while tossing the old out without a care.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
A lot of boomers are still in the work force and competing with younger people. I’ve read that many feel that looking younger is an asset.
OneHotMess
August 2, 2013
If I had the money, I would have an eyelift and those darned, genetic, under eye pooches removed in a heart beat. I would also not keep it a secret.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
Good for you!
OneHotMess
August 3, 2013
Indeed!
Gayane
August 2, 2013
my 93 year old Dad is an avid reader and stamp collector. you probably can guess that, his upper eyelids have been giving him problems, way too pouchy and in the way of his reading. He went as far as to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to fix this, until his GP found out and said absolutely not, your heart meds won’t take such a procedure. He was very disappointed…and now uses a magnifying glass in addition to his glasses to get his stamps and books in order. so not all plastic surgery is for looks, but i guess you have to get things ‘done’ before too much time passes….This episode of Golden Girls is hilarious, lying back after a certain age. http://youtu.be/RHR9Jj8pKck
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
I’ll check that episode. I have a friend who had upper eyelid surgery because the droop was impeding her sight. Insurance paid for it.
Gayane
August 3, 2013
Dad’s issue was medical: apparently his heart would not have cooperated with the anesthetic in the surgery….his doctor also, most unfortunately, told him it wouldn’t be worth the risk ‘at his age’…..that doctor needs some bedside manner lessons…..
She's a Maineiac
August 2, 2013
I’m just waiting for the procedure where they can take my flabby C-section stomach and inject it into my forehead. Until then, I will pretend I’d never have plastic surgery.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
Hilarious. Wouldn’t that give you a lumpy forehead? I do know that excess tummy fat can be used to reconstruct breasts after mastectomy.
Angeline M
August 2, 2013
Have to remember some “cosmetic” surgery is not cosmetic, and then there are those that want every single line and droop removed. I’ll step right up and say I’ve had some botox to that line that some develop between the eyebrows….I looked pissed off all the time, like I was always frowning. Post Botox, I can still lift my eyebrows, move my eyelids, and frown. It takes a skilled md to do this so you don’t look like a deer caught in the headlights. I would also caution people to avoid having it done at those spas that have nurses or the like doing it, I’ve seen some stories of really bad outcomes from those kinds of places. Gotta do what makes you feel good about yourself. I don’t necessarily want to look young…just not like a ticked off 66 year old grandma 😦 🙂
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
Thanks for the honesty, Angeline. I had Botox a couple times, but I felt like the short time it lasted didn’t justify the cost. But, like you, I looked perfectly normal with it. All it did was to lessen a deep crease I have at the end of my eyebrow.
Elyse
August 2, 2013
“Plumping their buttocks” — I am willing to be an “organ” donor for that.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
I’ve heard a lot of women say that. I will be the recipient.
A Well Styled Life
August 2, 2013
I wrote a post on “getting work done” and my readers were rabid about denying it. Reminds me of a Groucho Marx quote…”She got her looks from her father. He was a plastic surgeon”
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
Funny. Yes, I know a woman who insists she has never had anything done and she is a horror show.
Susan in TX
August 2, 2013
If there were an option between filler and lift, I would be racing to the clinic so fast it would look like Wile E Coyote was in town. Keep us informed, Renee!
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
I think the Lifestyle Life is a pretty good bet for that. It’s done with local anesthesia, takes a very short time, and there’s no discomfort. It’s better than a dental appointment. But it’s pricey and, of course, doesn’t last forever.
Susan in TX
August 3, 2013
I am so checking into this! Oops. Just googled “lifestyle lift cost” and was told that it isn’t how much it costs, but is it worth it. In other words, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. Sigh.
on thehomefrontandbeyond
August 2, 2013
to each their own–if I were to go totally natural I would look very funny (and hairy)
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
I think everyone should just give each other a break.
on thehomefrontandbeyond
August 3, 2013
I agree–who are we to judge someone else?
susielindau
August 2, 2013
Remember Audrey Hepburn? As she got older, she wore her hair pulled back in a tight bun. I bet it pulled the wrinkles right off her beautiful face!
I swore I would never even think of doing anything to my breasts and then I was diagnosed with cancer. My last reconstructive surgery is at the end of the month. I didn’t want to be boobless, but it feels weird to get bionic boobs. Hey. At least I’ll have cleavage for the first time in my life….
lauramacky
August 2, 2013
Your situation is quite different. Anyone going through what you did deserves to feel whole again. Blessings.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 2, 2013
I wish you the best with your surgery. I applaud you. And speaking of Audrey Hepburn, I do think women wear their hair that way to help with the wrinkles. But at some point, you’d have to pull your hair so tight, your scalp will fall off.
Vickie
August 3, 2013
Hey, to each his/her own…to the naysayers…just ignore them. Great post
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 3, 2013
Thanks, Vickie!
Dr Naomi
August 4, 2013
To get the declaration of interests out of the way, I am a cosmetic doctor. I am also a cosmetic patient who has had more procedures than most of my patients.
I am delighted by your statement that rates of breast augmentation are declining. I have always thought that it was a bad 90s trend that would die out, but the decades since then have proved me wrong. My reasoning for this is that IMHO there is a large range of breast sizes that look good, and that it should always be about proportion. Let’s hope the generation after Y share my logic. I still do not understand why already beautifully proportioned women pay $10,000 for the privilege of an out of proportion chest and an increased number of stares at their breasts. Aesthetically, most clothes look better on a smaller chest, especially as a woman ages.
In my practice, I haven’t seen this decline occurring but I live in hope. I am non-surgical so I don’t perform breast procedures, I perform all of those growing trends you describe: injectables and laser. To me they make more sense from an aesthetic point of view.
In the end though, what patients are buying is the mindset that goes with the procedure, be it more happiness, confidence, relief or just being more comfortable in their skin. This makes me question my own views about the breast matter, but not enough to change my mind:)
Re boomers and cosmetic treatments, I have on my blog a section called “Hottie of the Week” which is just a photo of a patient. Can I get a boomer on it? Almost never. My “Hotties” are almost always Gen X and Y. The boomers don’t want anyone knowing that they come to a cosmetic clinic. I have only been able to convince 3 patients over 50 to appear on it, over the last few years. The interesting thing though is when I put the 60 year old and the 71 year old “Hottie of the Week” on my facebook page, they received more than triple the typical number of likes and comments for a Hottie. I also have difficulty in getting boomers to appear in before and after photos.
Anyway, this comment was quite long, I hope it wasn’t boring. xxx
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 4, 2013
Thanks so much for having taken the time to give your thoughts. It is especially interesting that while boomers don’t like to publicize their surgery, when they do, they generate the greatest response. My thoughts are that the same level of interest is out there (maybe more) but the comfort level isn’t. Like you, I’m glad that most of the growth in the industry seems to be in non-surgical procedures.
Valentine Logar
August 4, 2013
I have no issue at all with plastic surgery. Have done it and would do it again, in a heartbeat. Being born with large breasts I had them lifted back where they belonged and put back to the size they were in my youth, before gravity and bralessness deprived me. I love the results.
Haven’t had any on my face yet, but when the time comes I will. I am still in the workforce and am likely to remain here for another 15 years, at least. Age is an issue, will continue to be. I am fortunate, I do not look my age; yet.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 7, 2013
I like your attitude and your honesty. I had a friend who had breast implants to give her breasts (she was 100% flat). She got medium-sized (correct for her height), beautiful breasts and used to say “I’ll die with the breasts of a Barbie doll.”
roughwighting
August 4, 2013
I just haven’t seen a face lift that has inspired me. Why can’t we show what we’ve experienced in life? Laugh lines, worry lines, love lines (ie, my C-section scar). I love to take care of my body – exercise, eat right, sleep well – but I hope I’ll never have to excuse my aging lines. Life is meant to be lived fully – and not being afraid to show the years we’ve lived!!
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 4, 2013
I do know women who have had very natural facelifts. That said, all of us should celebrate who we are, whether we color our hair, get contact lenses, have our teeth fixed, or have cosmetic procedures (within reason).
pegoleg
August 5, 2013
Supporting this cannibalistic, opportunistic industry that fees off of women’s insecurities is wrong, wrong, wrong! I will continue to fight the trend until I die (or until I come into enough money to have every, single body part of my body lifted and tucked.)
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 7, 2013
I sometimes fantasize about starting at the top of my head and going down, hitting every inch along the way. Of course, it would be totally natural-looking. Hey, I learned today that I have lost another f-ing half inch of height. I’m now down 2 inches, from a towering 5’2.5″. Soon, I will be able to star in a TV reality show. People can just watch me getting shorter.
pegoleg
August 7, 2013
I’d watch that show. And look on the bright side – if you’re going to surgically overhaul every inch, your potential bill is shrinking along with you!
benzeknees
August 7, 2013
I am thankful I cannot afford any procedures because I might be tempted. But really, the only procedure I would want is a breast reduction.
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 7, 2013
My breasts are way too big for my height and frame. It really makes me nuts. It’s NOT attractive.
Susan in TX
August 7, 2013
Too bad we can set up some kind of donor matching thing!
Life in the Boomer Lane
August 14, 2013
Oh my, that would be amazing, wouldn’t it. Sort of like a blood bank.