I strongly believe that people should be comfortable in their own skin but I also feel that making a few tweaks and repairs is nothing to be ashamed about.
People who go under the knife to change their physical appearance are often considered insecure, self-conscious and unhappy, and maybe that is the case but not always.
I am not trying to convince anyone to run out tomorrow and visit a plastic surgeon but I am trying to say that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
We all have some things that we would like to change about ourselves, so why is it when people take that plunge and get a little help that it is considered a negative thing?
I have always been pretty confident about my appearance but having both a mother and a sister who are more blessed in certain areas left me feeling a little left out.
I, along with many other people, have thought long and hard about the pros and cons of plastic surgery and decided to go for it.
I heard the horror stories about plastic surgery nightmares and researched the possible dangers but my decision was final. I was going to have plastic surgery.
The funny thing is, once I made my decision, I discovered how many people disagreed with it. After my surgery I learned a lot of interesting things. I realized who really cared about me and would stand by me regardless of my new assets.
As ridiculous as it sounds, as a result of my surgery I lost a lot of friends (including my boyfriend) and actually gained a few enemies. I hear rumors and people talking behind my back but here is the deal – I don’t care.
I did not have the procedure for anyone other than myself. I’m sure some people hear that and laugh. They are convinced that I just wanted attention or something but guess what, you guys are wrong.
If someone were to tell me that I need plastic surgery would I listen to them? No. So why would I listen to someone telling me not to do it? I wouldn’t and I didn’t.
I am in no way saying that plastic surgery is for everyone but why am I judged for my personal decision? I am still the same person inside and that is all that should matter.
Some people think that once you go under the knife that it becomes some type of addiction and all you want is more. Well I had my procedure and I do not plan on having another one until it is necessary (in about 10 years when a little upkeep is recommended).
I just want the people who disagree with plastic surgery to give me and everyone else a break.
I don’t criticize you for your personal decisions, so why criticize me for mine?
I am not looking for approval or sympathy, I am just asking that people give me the same respect that I give them.
If there are some things that people want to change about themselves and they have the finances to do so what is the problem? Absolutely nothing.
I am going to quote good old Dolly Parton again because nobody puts things in perspective quite like her. “If I see something sagging, bagging and dragging, I’m going to nip it, tuck it and suck it!” So if you ask Dolly or myself plastic surgery is a-okay.
Madison Steff, a senior communications major, is managing editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at msteff@ulv.edu.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.