A Plastic Surgery Party - Part 2

** Today's and yesterday's posts were not sponsored by the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.  However, they can easily bribe me in the future if they'd like to!  **

Yesterday I wrote about the Plastic Surgery Party I attended at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Huntington Beach.  The party was hosted by Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz who have offices in both Huntington and Newport Beach.  I described the opulent food spread, the champagne, the raffles and the wonderful gift bags provided to each guest at the end of the event.  If you haven't read that post yet, you can go here to do so.

Today I'd like to share with you pictures and stories of some of the people who attended the party.  I went to the party expecting many opportunities for snarkiness.  Instead, I met a lot of "real" people with great stories.  Were there some bimbos there?  Yes.  I talked to some people who had undergone far too many surgeries from multiple doctors.  Not everyone knows when to stop with the plastic surgery.

Everyone I asked did not agree to have their picture taken.  I'd like to extend a huge thank you to those who were willing to let me take their photos and/or share their stories.

As I entered the party, I was followed by this group:

I didn't have an opportunity to talk with them about what procedures they have had done.  Looking at this photo it's easy to speculate.  I won't though.  I'll let you do that.

One thing I'd like to mention is the doctors can make improvements on someone's appearance but they can't make a butt-ugly person beautiful.  Plastic surgery is not a magic wand.  As Stephanie, the consultant at the center, told me ... the results of each surgery are dependent on the original canvas.

This next picture is of Edna:

I believe Edna said she is 68 years old.  Amazing!  I think my jaw dropped to the floor when she told me her age.  Edna and I didn't have a chance to discuss her complete plastic surgery history.  She did tell me she'd had her eyes done "a few years ago" and more recently she underwent a Lite-Lift™.  A Lite-Lift™ is a modified mini-facelift which can be done in the doctor's office with local anesthetic.  The Lite-Lift™ improves aging/sagging skin around the neck, jawbone, and lower face.

Personally, I think Edna looks great.

My next photo is of Mary Lou.

I don't know how old Mary Lou is.  She told me she wants to have her neck "done."  In fact, Mary Lou really, really wants to have her neck worked on.  She poured out her story to me.  She married her high school sweetheart years ago.  Eventually they divorced and they both remarried.  Her second husband has since passed away.  Her high school sweetheart has divorced his second wife.  All these years, she's missed, loved, and longed for her first love.  He has been the love of her life.  She said they married young and he "wanted her to share him" when they were young.  I guess that means he had trouble being monogamous in his youth.  

In any case, after 38 years of being divorced Mary Lou and her first husband have reunited.  She's giddy as a school girl.  She's in the process of relocating right now to be with him.  Whether or not she ever goes ahead with the plastic surgery she wants, remains to be seen.  Hearing about her happiness, hearing about the love of her life, was heartwarming.

This next photo is of a woman who is seven weeks post-tummy tuck.  She also had liposuction done on her stomach/hips/back.

She is still wearing an undergarment around her torso as she continues to heal from the surgery.  She is euphoric over her new body.  Euphoric!  She had twins when she was only 17 years old.  She is now 47.  She said for thirty years she has had loose skin hanging down off her stomach and hated her own body.  At the same time, she recounted a "brutal" first few weeks post-surgery.  A tummy tuck is not something to be taken lightly.  Her description of cleaning her surgery wounds and having drains in her body made me shudder. 

She pulled up her shirt and showed me her flat as a board stomach.  I admit, I felt jealous.  My stomach *maybe* was that flat three babies ago.  Her happiness, however, was contagious.  This woman's self confidence is overflowing as a result of her surgery.  She is so empowered by her new self.  I'm really happy for her.

There were other touching and poignant stories also.  There were stories of massive weight-loss patients (most frequently gastric bypass patients) who came to the center hoping for a new start after losing a lot of weight.  They had skin hanging off their bodies and undergoing plastic surgery provided them with a new beginning to their lives.

In addition, there were women who had undergone masectomies due to breast cancer.  The doctors performed breast reconstruction to help these brave survivors retain their sense of self.  The doctors also work with trauma patients (car accidents and such) to help people return to their former lives.

As I talked with Dr. Nichter, a woman approached and patted her very extended stomach.

"This is not a baby," she said ruefully.  "There is no baby in here."

She wanted his help.  She wanted his opinion.

I moved away to allow them to talk in private.  Later, when asked, he informed me he had told her to schedule a consultation.  I suppose even the best surgeons can't perform fake baby removals in the middle of a party.

I have a few pictures of some of the staff members employed at the Pacific Center.  I think it's safe to assume, they are all able to indulge in an occasional nip and tuck due to their jobs. 

First, here's a picture of Suzanne.  She's a nurse at the center.  She has such a pretty name!  Suzanne has a 23 (or is it 24?) year old kid.  Who would be able to tell?  She looks 23 herself.  I know Suzanne and, in addition to being beautiful, she's a very nice person.  Take a look at her long eyelashes courtesy of Latisse!

The next photo is of Eileen.  Eileen is the office manager.  I love Eileen.  I instantly bonded with her when I became a patient.  In this photo Eileen is working the raffle which took place at the end of the party.  Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter are on either side of her. 

I wish I had thought to take a picture of Stephanie but I didn't.  Stephanie is 57 years old and absolutely gorgeous.  She's a consultant for the doctors.

My last photo is of Pam.  Pam is 67 years old.  Can that possibly be correct?  She's an esthetician.

I'd like to say thank you again to the doctors and all of the people who agreed to have their photos taken and/or their stories told.  I'm sure many of the people featured today will be logging on to read today's post.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Deidre]

I don't know how to say this nicely...and I know my mother taught me to not say anything if I can't say something nice...

But Pam kind of scares me.

[Joanne]

you, my dear are by far the sassiest, most lovely of them all! because your love of life shines out of your eyes like a spotlight!!!! Pam (sorry) is a little scary . other than that.... Lance is a meatball I could take a bite of!

[Jan]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Deidre on that one. Of course, it could just be jealousy because Pam looks younger/better than I do.

[[email protected]]

I like this post because you make it clear you are not judging anyone who chooses plastic surgery. It can help people feel better about themselves, I guess. I think what bothers me sometimes (besides when people don't seem to know when to quit) is seeing some younger gorgeous person and finding out the cheeks/chin/nose/ whatever, are fake. There is something different about "natural" pretty I think. But maybe that makes me sound judgmental.
I am intrigued by the idea of a "light lift." Sounds like having a salad for lunch and coming out 10 pounds lighter.

[di]

So, I wonder if Pam is able to close her eyes when she sleeps. Kinda creepy looking. Much smoother skin than me, but still..... s.c.a.r.y.

[Kristan]

Okay TOTALLY thought Edna was in her 40s.

And I agree with Maureen, you really did a great job not being judgmental in this post. :)

[Kelly]

I think they all look great. Hard to believe there real ages! Edna and Pam are in there 60s???

[BeautifulWreck]

Great post. Pam looks a lot like someone I know locally. ;)

[Genie]

Edna looks like a young Loretta Lynn. :) (Don't go to Loretta Lynn's current web site - that picture is scary! I was thinking something more like this.)

http://bigwildopera.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/lorettalynn.jpg

Thanks for showing all of this - it's nice to see the "normal" side of plastic surgery. I don't think my mother would ever go for plastic surgery but it's so frustrating to hear her lament about how ugly she is. She hates every picture of herself. Maybe I'll save up a fund for her. :)

[LPC]

OMG Eileen is GORGEOUS!

[AmyAmyBoBamey]

I like your non judgmental view on the whole party. I like that you got some individual stories. Seems like it was kinda neat to go and see what's out there.

[Linda]

Very nicely done! But I think Pam's been huffing something.

[Michelle Pixie]

Great Stories! I love hearing people's stories & Edna OMG we should all be so lucky! I don't look that good at 34...Amazing!

[Cari]

Do they give away free makeovers? Can I have one?

[Kate]

I love it when you're snarky and make fun of people. I love that in this post you didn't do that. You just put it out there for us to make our own decisions. I bet the drs are thrilled. They will get business from this for years to come!

[midlife slices]

I'm not so sure this was a ringing edorsement for plastic surgery, especially the picture of Pam. Yikes! I'd have to rethink that prodedure. But at least the food was good, right. :)

[Sandra]

I think Pam looks amazing.

What a fun party w/interesting people. Thanks for sharing.

[jessica]

the crows feet around my eyes. Hate them. Very self concious but I'm just not ready to do that. who am I kidding? I don't have the money to do it

[Carol S.]

Loved the story about the woman reuniting with an old flame, and debating doing her chin. My mother in law has complained for years and years and years about her chin, and I've stopped encouraging her to do something about it. So, for anyone not happy about a facial feature that doesn't fit with who you feel you are, I say go for it. Very interesting post and great photos.

[Deb Thaxton]

-->I think I'll take my laugh lines over plastic surgery. Don't want to say who but someone's photo is really creepy to me in today's post. It screams Barbie! Wait, didn't Barbie just turn 50?

~deb
www.WebSavyMom.com

[Sarah]

I liked the individual stories too. And that there didn't seem to be anything stereotypical about any of the people or stories you shared with us. People mock plastic surgery so much and forget about all of the different reasons it's an important field. Looking younger or feeling better about yourself is just the gravy in that bowl. Definitely would've thought Pam and Edna were in there forties.

[dogmother]

I want Eileen's neck...because I'm getting the neck thing and I hate it. Pam...very pretty but a little much on eye thing...has she had her thyroid checked?
I really enjoyed this post because it honestly provided me with a much broader view of plastic surgery. Thanks for sharing these stories and thanks to all who allowed their pictures to be posted.

[Josie Allison]

I think Pam looks very nice.. She just happens to open her eyes a bit too much sometimes when taking a photo but that doesn't mean she looks bad or scary in any way so quit saying so many mean things about her and learn to be more compassionate about others.. She is also a very sweet and nice person as everyone else in Dr. Horowitz's office..
I also wish they had a photo of Stephanie because she is the nicest person and a very pretty and sweet lady as well..
I recently had surgery with Dr. Horowitz and I can't say anything but nice things about him and his staff.. I'm very happy so far with the results of my surgery. I plan to have other procedures with him in the future the same as many of my friends who also attended this party.. We all had a great time, great food, very nice gifts and good company.. Dr. Horowitz came to our group and explained different procedures to my friends who were very inquisitive.. I really appreciated him taking the time to do that.. It was a first class party in my book..

[upper eyelid]

Im amaze on how many people is getting plastic surgery this days, specially women that are still young, amazing. Great post.

[chalazion surgery]

Yes many people is getting plastic surgery these days, specially facial surgery. A few modifications I think is ok, but there are people who take it to the extreme.

[sildenafil citrate]

It’s appalling that the media is acknowledging this topic . There are much larger issues to focus on right now, other than someone’s botched plastic surgery job. Heidi Montag is a self proclaimed “celebrity” and I’m quite confused to why we even speak about her anymore. “The Hills” has been over for some time now. Let her do as she pleases, she is no role model, she has no major films under her belt; she is an attention craving spoiled brat who has nothing but a MTV reality show to put on her resume. Maybe if her husband gave her the attention she is looking for, she wouldn’t have Whoopi Goldberg’s panties in a bunch. Stop wasting money on changing your appearance and invest in a personality. I hope she becomes the reason young girls love themselves. To stay in school, to get a real job, to realize that all looks and no brains will get you no where. I think a wise man once said "more money, more problems", when you can spend money on such ludicrous things, its too much money. Look up to someone who has done something more notable then have meltdowns on national TV.