LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Fitness: Even More Plastic Surgery |
by Rick Moore |
Ok, guys, last issue was all about YOU. Now, it's the ladies turn. We're going to talk some more about plastic surgery. The hot topic for the ladies these days is breast augmentation (or the proverbial boob job). Why, just last week, Dave and I were at a restaurant, where, at the table diagonal to us, was a young lady who'd obviously had breast augmentation. She wore a top that showed off her large endowment. Dave was fascinated by it. When she got up (actually, she got up three times), she showed by her walk and actions that she was mighty proud of her bosoms. She should be! The only problem, in my opinion, was that they were way too big for her body. She was definitely out of proportion when compared to an "ordinary" woman. Her top was much larger than her bottom. She looked like she had two Hindenbergs stuffed in her bikini top. They sure did draw a lot of attention. Maybe that's exactly what she wanted. And did you ladies see on the cover of the National Enquirer recently that Chyna (the huge female wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation) was in a wrestling match and busted one of her boobs right in the ring? She said they cost her a cool $6,000. (The paper wasn't clear if that cost was for one, or both of them). She said in the article that she was waiting to have a new breast implant put in as soon as possible. Like I said, breasts seem to be a hot topic. Ask Pamela Lee (the Bay Watch babe). It used to be that breast implants were sought after only by women in the entertainment business (those bad girls), for example, strippers, prostitutes, and even the Hollywood elite. But now, housewives, businesswomen, teens, and even grandmas can have an enlarged figure. Your doctor can offer you choices for new breastsno, not "paper or plastic," but "saline or silicone gel." Oh, gee, which one for me? Well, there are risks no matter which you choose. A few women who have this type of surgery have reported symptoms similar to immune system diseases such as Scleroderma and other arthritis-like conditions. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, fever, and fatigue. There are no guarantees, either for your final appearance or your overall health. There is no direct evidence that breast implants cause breast cancer, but they may change the way mammography needs to be done to detect cancer. When the time comes for a mammogram, the radiologist needs specialized equipment, otherwise, you won't get a reliable reading. You saw the Will & Grace episode in which Grace buys a water-filled bra to enhance her chest? It was a lot easier to buy one of those than to opt for surgery. But as Grace could tell you, stay away from sharp objects. What about other ways to "enhance" your body? Ladies, you are just as guilty of vanity as the guys when it comes to liposuction. This procedure is very popular and is spreading like wildfire. It's easy to have excess fat removed from such areas as the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, neck, upper arms, chin, cheeks, etc. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, this procedure can remove very stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight loss methods. Let's not forget liposuction carries greater risks for individuals with medical problemsdiabetes, significant heart or lung disease, or poor blood circulationor for those who have had recent surgery near the area to be "contoured." The actual operation has its own risks (as with any type of surgery). You don't want to wind up as the next subject on 60 Minutes or 20/20, so you should really do your homework to find a good, experienced surgeon who knows his or her work. Ask about their other patients who have had similar procedures, and what their results were. Don't expect to feel or look great immediately after surgery. You may still experience pain, burning, swelling, bleeding, and temporary numbness that could go on for a few days. Women still outrank guys when it comes to the number of facelifts done. Women have three times as many facelift surgeries as men, but men are catching up fast. Right now, facial "peels" and forehead lifts are very popular. I guess that's because cool cucumbers on the eyes really don't work that well, despite what the magazines say. Of course, the lasers are also hot, especially for women who want to get rid of all that unwanted body and facial hair, especially above the lip. Keep that laser away from me! I've heard of guys having this procedure toonot only on the face, but also on the back and shoulders to permanently do away with that "hairy bear" look. Back hair is one of those topics that really polarizes guys. Either they like it, or they don't, and there's no compromising. But I think it's safe to say that, on a woman, back hair would be unusual, to say the least. I doubt most women in that situation would be going strapless, so I can sympathize with their desire to get their hair zapped permanently. I think plastic surgery is a personal choice for anyone who wants to look better. It's just a shame that insurance doesn't cover it! Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by American Fitness Professionals & Associates. Visit his club, Rick's Fitness & Health in Milton. He's on the Internet at http://www.ricksfitness.net, or cal 302-684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 28, 2000 |