emily'smommymakeover

One of the things I have to consider before getting plastic surgery is my reputation. There is certainly a stigma around women who get some kind of cosmetic procedure done. Are they vain? Do they have low self esteem? Why are they so concerned with their outward appearance? Didn't her mother tell her that it's what's on the inside that counts?

Many women are so concerned with these questions that they try to hide the fact that they are getting work done, some even going out of town to do it. Others simply lie, saying they had great success with some diet or exercise program. In the case of wrinkle removal, maybe it's a fabulous new cream they've been using.

Why not be honest? Why not tell your friends and family about your experience. It's not like they aren't going to figure it out anyway (right Ashlee Simpson?)

Yesterday, my husband told me that our nine-year-old had asked him not pull up to day camp with the radio too loud. He said that his friends had teased him about it. My husband agreed to our son's request but also told him that he wasn't concerned with what those kids thought and that our son shouldn't be either. He said that driving with the top down and radio loud was one of his favorite things in the world. My son agreed that he enjoyed that too. Then my husband asked him, "Why should we stop doing something that makes us happy just because other people find it a little weird. As long as we aren't hurting others, we are the only ones who should be concerned with what makes us happy."

That story actually helped me to come to terms with not only getting plastic surgery, but also with writing this blog.

I'm a den mother for son's Cub Scout den. I'm a member of the PTA. I have a reputation in my community that I'm very proud of. Getting plastic
surgery, and especially blogging about it, could have an impact on that reputation. That said, I agree with my husband. As long as I'm not hurting anyone else, what others think shouldn't matter. Maybe I'm naive, but I'd rather take that chance and 1) do something that is important to me, 2) teach my kids a valuable lesson, and 3) educate and inspire other women who are considering also taking this journey. For those reasons, I'm willing to "put myself out there" so to speak, for the whole world to see.

Note: I do feel that this blog will be effective without photographs depicting nudity. I've decided that any before and after photos that I post here will all be nothing more than you would see at the neighborhood pool. If you need to see before and after photos, there are plenty on Dr. Hynes' website. I'd like to thank the women who were brave enough to allow Dr. Hynes to post those as they have become an important part of my research. But more on that later.

Comment by Teresa:
Emily,
I would fully support you in whatever you choose to do. You are perfect as you are! You need to be comfortable in your own body and if you are not, there are now ways to take care of that too!

You are not only a kind, loving person, you are an intelligent woman! What you choose to do to your body is simply that...your choice. The only concern I have is for your safety. Choose your surgeon wisely (which I am sure you have), and ask for help after the procedure. You are such a strong individual that I am afraid you would not ask for help as you recover. :) I can't wait to see what happens next.

Response by Emily:
Teresa,
I appreciate your caring words! You are a great friend. I understand your concern. I am researching my doctor thoroughly. I will be completing interviews with past clients as well as friends that have had similar procedures. This is a journey that I want to be transparent. I want to have other Mom's who are considering this to have a informational read from a peer's point of view.

As far as the recovery... I couldn't agree more sister!!!!! I had 2

C-Sections with both my kiddos so I do have some understanding of recovery from abdominal surgery. Again, interviews will tell the real story.

Thank you so much for your support my friend.

Love always, Em

Comment by Nickie:
I LOVE the idea of plastic surgery. My husband has often times given me a hard time because when I see a woman with breast implants, I notice before he does and I must say that I think that they're great.

I don't know what the percentage is of women who are for or against certain procedures, but I'm all for it. I think that beauty does come from within yes...and our parents and their parents have been teaching us this for years...but guess what... I also have a tv and a gym membership and when I see a show with Pamela Anderson or I walk past a fitness model at my gym... I, like every other NORMAL female ask myself...Why can't I look like that? I count my calories...I go to the gym... in fact I eat so much protein and buy into all the "healthy ways to lose weight", some days when I sit down to my plain turkey with no bread and 4 boiled egg whites I think I HATE THIS CRAP! The only reason and let me repeat the ONLY reason I've yet to go under the knife is because we can't afford it.

I wanted surgery long before I had my son... and now that he's come... well, we all know what a blessing he is, but let me tell you...I'm likely to get a phone call for a photo shoot with National Geographic LONG before good ol' Hef comes a calling!

My hubby and I have sat down and looked at the before and after photos of doctors in this area and out...my sister in law knows it's something I'd really like to do, but like you I worry "what if my mother in law notices"... she's the epitome of a "beauty from within"...won't she think I've sinned by going against the body that God gave me to get the body I've been dreaming of since I was 12?

The truth is that there is no perfect answer... some folks are gonna scorn you for it and some folks are gonna applaud you. I believe that what your husband is saying is true... we should always do what makes us the happiest...as long as it's not hurting others...but it's a lot easier saying that and actually doing it sometimes. I know that personally...if I knew that people were going to cast stones at me for something...as much as I'd like to say forget about it... it would probably really upset me and I might have a hard time going for it as well. I think it takes a strong woman to see what she wants and go for it...especially when she's a loving mother who's taken a great deal of time to be with her children and community and worries about her reputation. Just try to keep in mind that some (I'd say most) of those who have an "issue" with it...are just jealous...I mean come on... how can someone be pissed at you for changing YOUR body?!