“I’m just going to get a little work done.”
This is how my mom introduced the idea of getting plastic surgery, to which I asked, “What exactly is a little work?” My mom then proceeded to detail what would end up being $25,000 worth of plastic surgery procedures including a face lift, brow lift, and some sort of lip enhancement.
“What do you think?” My mom wanted to know, and my response came out before I really had time to reflect: “Do what makes you happy, Mom. If that’s what you want to do, then go for it.”
Now that reality has set in and my mom is recovering from her surgery, I’ve had time to ruminate a bit more about my mother’s choice to go under the knife. Aside from anxiety regarding what my mom will actually look like when I see her (she lives in Ohio and I am in California), I have some mixed emotions regarding the decision. When I looked at pictures of my mother in her younger days, I always thought she looked beautiful. And even now, in her mid-60s she has flawless, beautiful skin with very few wrinkles. Why would she choose to undergo surgery to give her the skin she had in her 30s?
More important than that question, though, is this: Does choosing to have plastic surgery mean you forgo your choice to grow old gracefully?
As I pondered this question over the past week I was reminded of a quote from Cher. In an interview she once said, “If I want to put tits on my back, that’s my business.” I’ve thought of this quote while rationalizing my mom’s surgery. My mother is a strong, independent, educated woman. What she decides to do with her body is her business.
As I realized that her decisions are hers alone, I realized something important. It is that independent-woman mentality that means you can grow old gracefully. My mom is writing the rules she wants and saying to hell with what others may think — a lesson she instilled in me long ago and still models today.
Photo via Source
I hope she went to Cleveland, not Akron! Everyone is judgmental over plastic surgery, but it really goes back to jealousy. Sorry, but it’s true people. I think the concern over your mom is hard to set aside, because nothing compares to that relationship. ( mother/child- going both ways.) If people want to change their hair color, weight, etc. they do and nobody judges.
I applaud you Lisa for NOT judging your mom and allowing people to make changes that reflect their feelings toward themselves!