Political Physics: Sign Me Up for A Little Nip & Tuck
So I am driving into work last week and I am listening to some pop station. The disc jockey is going on and on about The Black Eyed Peas recent performance of their new single, “Just Can’t Get Enough” on American Idol. But it wasn’t the song that he was droning one about, it was Fergie. Specifically, how he believed that she’d had “work done.” This rampant speculation went on for over for a better part of five minutes and all I could think was who cares!
But apparently lots of people do.
I googled “fergie plastic surgery” in prep for this article and there were 1,240,000 results. And when I googled “fergie bad plastic surgery” there were 2,290,000 results.
According to DimeWars.Com, “The net was buzzing immediately after the performance referencing Fergie’s ‘different’ face…something seemed different. Many speculated that Fergie went under the knife and was healing from her procedure.” Apparently this has become such an issue that Fergie’s husband, Josh Duhamel, denied that his wife had plastic surgery in an interview with Ryan Seacrest.
I just don’t understand what all the hubbub is about. Maybe Fergie had plastic surgery and maybe she didn’t. Either way, it is her business. And if she did, I can relate.
My 34th birthday is fast approaching and I am not aging graciously. Between the natural aging process and two kids, my body just is not what it used to be. I have been considering plastic surgery – specifically breast augmentation and a tummy tuck – since my son was born. Okay, that is not exactly true. If I had cash on hand that did not go to my kids college fund, I would have the procedures today.
And like the folks who were dying to know about Fergie’s surgery or non-surgery, I am not alone.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “13.1 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, including those that are minimally-invasive or surgical, were performed in the United States in 2010, up 5 percent from 2009. [And] more than 5.3 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year, up 2 percent.” And the top five procedures were breast augmentation, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks.
In 2009, 907,141 African-Americans had cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures. Caucasians had 8.8 million or 73 percent of cosmetic and plastic surgeries, followed by Hispanics at 1.2 million or 10 percent. Women (92%) tend to seek cosmetic surgery more than men, reports the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
And the rise in plastic surgery is consistent across all racial groups. The number of African Americans getting a nip tuck increased by 6% between 2009 and 2010. It increased by 2% among Latinos, 2% among Asians and 8% among Caucasians. Even with the horror stories out there, (e.g., Michael Jackson, Priscilla Presley, Jocelyn Wildenstein, Burt Reynolds and Kenny Rogers) and the recession, it appears that plastic surgery is still on the rise.
In a recent blogumn entitled “Don’t Call Me Ma’am,” my BFF Ernessa wrote, “I’m quite happily aging.” I so envy that kind of thinking, because I do not feel that way at all.
So here is the deal. Feel free to submit my name to Extreme Makeover or any show that provides free plastic surgery!
But that is just me, what about you? Are you aging graciously? And would you get a little nip tuck?
featured image credit: Scabeater
Well, I will say that having grown up thinking I wasn’t very pretty, I’m not finding much to miss now. Yeah, the rockin’ hot bod of my 20s was nice, but it’s not like it got me anywhere or gained me anything that my creativity and intelligence didn’t. Also, my 20s weren’t that great. I was deep in debt, artistically starving and somewhat depressed for most of them. So yes, I guess I’m aging graciously, b/c life keeps getting better with age. I don’t have much to miss from my 20s, except for more free time to read. Also, it helps that I live in L.A. where I can see what a downward spiral plastic surgery can become. You go in for one thing, and then you have to get something else done so that it looks like the first remodel. Meanwhile you’re dedicating more time to upkeep than more important endeavors in your life. We’ll see how I feel about it when I’m like in my 50s, but for now, I’m totally okay with aging.
Again, whatever the reason your attitude is awesome! I hope you keep it! As for me, just don’t let me hit the lottery because Dr. 90210 here I come!
Maybe fergie’s face looks lifted because she is dare I say it…HAPPY! I’d look like I went under the knife too if I had a fresh new do, tall hot bodied sexy hubby and a very successful career. You don’t need botox to glow when all is right with your world.
Kim, I like your assessment. I hope your on point!
lol right. either that or she did need to fix her face after jacking it up from that meth habit she used to have.
I’m with Ernessa. The downward spiral of plastic surgery is horrific, even many who are newer to plastic surgery look awful (did you see Rose McGowan on SVU last week?), there are a lot of better things to do with that much money, and I believe in self-acceptance.
I would argue that like many other decisions (e.g., parenting, relationships, finances, etc.), the decision to undergo plastic surgery is a very personal one. To each his own.
And though I respect your belief in “self-acceptance” I think that too is very personal and depends on where you are coming from. It is much easier for some to say “just accept yourself” than for others. And I think it is important to respect that.
I respect people’s right to make their own decisions about their body, about their beauty, our who they choose to love, about how they raise their children, etc. And I would hope that they would respect mine if I decide to undergo plastic surgery.
Monique,
I’m with you on this one. I miss my pre-baby body somethin’ awful, and if I had the disposable cash, I’d definitely pay to get it back. I don’t mind looking a little older each year, and can’t imagine wanting to have work done on my face. But I’d buy back my before-breastfeeding boobs and my flat belly in a heartbeat. Here’s the crazy thing, though. I’d only do it if no one would know. And I mean no one except my husband. Not even my mom. Otherwise I’d be too ashamed. We’re taught to believe that plastic surgery shameful, and that we should love our bodies the way they are, or stop being so lazy and just diet/exercise until we get the bodies we want. And I guess maybe I’ve bought into some of that. Because I’d rather deal with the body I’ve got that have people KNOW I got my boobs done. But if I had the cash, and some way to recover in peace without everyone I know all up in my business, I’d be on that operating table tomorrow!
Ayana, yes the shame thing is hard for me as well! I would not really want anyone to know (sounds crazy given the forum for this discussion but true). But I too miss my old bode and even my doctor gave me the hard reality that some post-baby body changes will not got away with exercise. So yes, I revise my previous statement I would need to hit the lottery and have a private place to recovery (and a good cover story). Oh and I am with you on the face thing too…no nip tucking the face.
Monique,
I’ve had the same conversation with my doctor. There’s some stuff that diet and exercise just can’t reverse. Have you seen the site, http://theshapeofamother.com/? These women are so effing brave. And awesome.