I really enjoyed your show on 12/8/06 on "If I look perfect will I feel better?
I grew up as a heavy person until the age of 23 when I had a gastric bypass done and lost the weight. But the damage to my body was already done with loss of elasticity in my skin. Finally in Nov. 2003, at the age of 48, I decided to start changing my body looks. I started by having the tummy tuck, incorporated with lipo of the inner knees and lipo of the back. Then in May 2004, I had the buttock lift and lipo of the thighs. I am currently post op (Nov. 14th) after having a thigh lift done to remove the excess drape of skin from my inner thighs.
Some people think I am addicted to cosmetic surgery, but I started a process that had to be completed in steps and I done it over a three year period of time. By having the surgeries I have had, my life has forever changed. I am a happy person now with who I am, I love me for who I am and the self confidence it has given me is worth every dime I have spent. I was a size 14-16 when I started, now to be a size 8, just by removing the excess skin. I have a wonderful surgeon, board certified, highly educated in her field who has worked with me on sculpting a new me. The first half of my life was miserable, but the second half of my life is going to be the happiest days of my life. I would recommend cosmetic surgery 100% as it has forever changed my life. Thank you Dr. Keith for a great show.

Beth Osborn
Indiana

Thank you for your show airing 12/8/06. I wish I had their courage to do cosmetic surgery. I am status post lap band surgery and my tricep area is very fatty, typically called "bye bye arms". I would be so grateful if I could have firmer arms however at age 57, I doubt anything will happen unless I'm able to really lose all the weight I need to (appox 100 lbs.). Since I was let go from my job, I don't have insurance, so I'm stuck. Congratulations to them. I hope that they are happy. And the ones whose heart has not caught up, I wish them the best of luck.

Adriane

Interesting show. The honesty of the guests is commendable. And you, Dr. Ablow, look for balance.

But, really, don't you think that just as some of us need to be rescued from our childhood, we also need help to rise above this culture obsessed with appearance and the pursuit of youth? By now it is pleasant to discover faces and bodies that have not been artificially sculpted. Imperfection may just trump cookie cutter perfection.