If it’s good enough for Joan Rivers, it’s good enough for you. In her latest book, Men Are Stupid… And They Like Big Boobs: A Woman’s Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery, the megastar admitted that she’s had a lot of operations, on her eyes, arms, lips, breasts, tummy and nose. Additionally, she regularly receives Botox injections as well as a host of other anti-aging treatments to keep the Grim Reaper at bay, or at least allow him to see her looking great before she passes away.
As Rivers, who is now surprisingly 75, knows, the older we get, the more we tend to slouch and sink. It’s a sad fact of life, as the effects of gravity begin to take their toll on even those with the most elastic skin. Smart plastic surgeons, however, have ways of revering the effects of aging and making us appear younger than we really are. But which procedures are really suitable for us?
While each individual is different, most of us follow a similar pattern when it comes to aging, and most of us can benefit from procedures designed for people at a certain age in their lives. These are the most commonly performed operations for people in a specific age group. Read about them and see if they appeal to you, or if they make you want to run the other way!
the 20s
Most of us still look young at this age, and aging doesn’t play much of a role when it comes to the type of cosmetic procedures offered to people in this age group. Skin care treatments are often popular, both to get rid of acne and/or leftover scars, and to prevent wrinkles in the future. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
THE PROBLEM: Specific problems that afflict an individual, regardless of age. While most people in this age group respond well to exercise, genetic issues such as sagging buttocks, flat cheeks (i.e., on the face), flat chest, or thin legs may still persist.
THE RECOMMENDATION: The most common procedures performed in the US among people in their 20s were liposuction, boob surgery, and rhinoplasty operations (that’s a nose job, dummy). Less invasive procedures like Botox (yes, even in your 20s!) and lip augmentation dermal fillers are also popular among twenty-somethings. A buttock, cheek or calf implant may also be desired, for those who are active in the gym but still can’t achieve the perfect body – or face – they so desire.
the 30
Youth begins to wane, and wrinkles accumulate on the face, as well as fat deposits accumulate on the chin and other areas. The body also shows signs of wear, and doing it alone is not enough.
THE PROBLEM: Good skin elasticity means that a variety of facials are available that can work with good results. However, diet and exercise do not have the same effect as they did in the past, plus the outcome of the pregnancy may have taken its toll, so body contouring treatments may be warranted. Your metabolism has slowed down and everything is working harder. Surgery can help.
THE TIP: Many skin care treatments can turn back the clock, including microdermabrasion, Thermage, and laser skin tightening. To make it look like you’ve never had a baby, and certainly never breastfed one, why not try a breast lift and augmentation, as well as a tummy tuck, stretch mark surgery, and lipo?
the 40
Things are starting to slide south faster and faster, skin is losing its elasticity, and it takes about five hours to remove a Krispy Kreme donut. Because? Welcome to 40!
THE PROBLEM: Loose skin makes the face, and other areas of the body, look saggy and saggy. Excess fat is piling on faster than you can say “Malibu Beach Diet,” and for those who put off having kids until now, the post-baby jelly belly is here to stay. No one wants to watch every bite they eat, so there has to be another way…
THE RECOMMENDATION: Get rid of fine lines and wrinkles—or at least the appearance of them—with non-invasive treatments like Botox and Thermage. The more invasive measures would include a brow lift and eyelid surgery. Some people even get full facelifts at this age, or at least a thread or mini-lift (studies have shown that people in their 40s who get facelifts are the happiest with the results). Old favorites include tummy tucks, breast jobs, and liposuction, and if your neck is showing signs of resembling a turkey, you may want to get a neck lift—or at least some liposuction—on your neck area before you get much worse.
the 50s
Facial surgery is a big deal for women and men of this age, as the first real signs of aging appear on the face. The lack of volume in the face plus gravity can make you droop and look haggard and/or constantly tired. Cheer up with a surgery point!
THE PROBLEM: Sloping face and neck, sunken cheeks, lack of vitality in the face, a youthful face that has faded with age. Even if you spent $3,500 on a fabulous designer suit, spent a thousand dollars on a haircut, and ate nothing but lettuce leaves for a month, your face will still give you away.
THE RECOMMENDATION: Anything that can plump up the face and make it look younger is popular with people this age. This can include obvious techniques like a facelift and fillers, but it can also include the less obvious ones: cheek implants, neck lifts, brow lifts. Non-invasive treatments to look better are also popular, such as lasers and pulsed light therapy. Women who have had surgery for breast cancer etc. might also be looking into reconstructive surgery at this age. That being said, most people who want boob jobs etc. will have already had one, or two, or three, by the time they get to the big 5-0.
Beyond…
As Joan Rivers has shown, anyone can look younger, or drastically altered, as if they had undergone extensive procedures on the body and face, via plastic surgery. Whether you’re 21, 51, or 81, there’s a surgery that’s right for you—and a surgeon who’s willing to do it.
However, if you are considering surgery, do your homework first and think carefully about whether the result is really what you want. If you don’t have realistic expectations of what surgery can do for you (give you better breasts, for example, not give you a better life), then the whole plan could fail horribly.
“I believe in plastic surgery,” Rivers said in an interview not long ago. “Eventually, you’ll look in the mirror and know. You’ll hit 40 and say, ‘that’s not quite right.’ Anybody out there who thinks they don’t like their nose? Do something about it! via life once.Fix your teeth.
“My motto is: ‘Better a new face coming out of an old car than an old face coming out of a new car.’ Spend your money on you.”
The information in the article is not intended to be a substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate health care provider.