LiveLongAgeWell

Today where I am in Brazil, nearing the end of Carnival, it’s like a ghost town. It doesn’t seem like its normal self. It’s cloudy, a little chilly…those were rain drops?

Few people are outside. Most all stores are shut. Good luck if your refrigerator is empty; maybe you’ll find a pastry shop open somewhere. Many people today seem more depressed than happy. Last night they were out late and relationships were tested. As in many cities and countries, walking around late at night here—depending on where you are—can be a little dicey. Elite police units were out in force and the streets swirled and danced with frenetic people; I saw no violence…

It was great that so many readers commented on the “Carnival begins” post. Comments tell me about you the audience, and help me write a better blog with the subjects you want. I encourage you to read the comments for views different from mine.

I am beta-testing a new widget application for LLAW, called QWIDGET, and it’s a way for people to leave comments more easily (I hope). Plus you can interact with others leaving feedback if you wish. Try it out by answering the question further along in this post. See what you think, and tell me if you’d like this QWIDGET to be part of the blog.

Last post I introduced the idea of cosmetic procedures and how Brazilians—seemingly more than U.S. Americans—seem more attuned to looking good (I enjoyed the one comment that Brazilians are more appearance-oriented because they go to the beach more, need to show skin, and want to avoid “visual pollution”…haha.) But beyond that, from the phone calls and emails I received, I know that cosmetic surgery is probably a more explosive topic than even cultural comparisons. Everyone seems to have a pretty strong opinion one way or the other, and here are some comments I have heard over the years:

1.    It’s great, I want it as soon as I need it, or before.
2.    No way, never. I’m happy the way I am.
3.    Do you know any good surgeons?
4.    It’s just wrong. We have so many bigger problems, plus the economy. There are many more important things to worry about.
5.    People who resort to plastic surgery are sad people. Just accept yourself the way you are.
6.    If someone wants plastic surgery, it’s fine, but it’s not for me.
7.    You can spend money on a trip or a piece of art or an expensive watch so why not this if you want?
8.    Too many people everywhere lack access to basic healthcare so why are we even considering this?
9.    Maybe if things get really bad, I’ll do something.

[qwidget question="173"]

My opinion, and this philosophy is incorporated into my book, is that you have the right to cosmetic surgery if you want, but consider other simpler measures first. Many people get good results from treatments like facial peeling or lasers or botox and sometimes even a different hairstyle or better posture will do more good than surgery, and with those you don’t run the risk, downtime, and expense of plastic surgery. Sometimes you just need more exercise and a better diet and six months.

The Brazilian attitudes about plastic surgery are more casual than in the United States. Friends and acquaintances here freely admit if they had some procedure. There is no shame here really, and there shouldn’t be. If you want it, maybe do it, and if you don’t like the idea, that’s great too. Just don’t be too quick to judge other people about plastic surgery, whatever their choice or belief….ok, some thoughts about cosmetic surgery:
1.    Don’t try to do too much (many complications occur because some patients push for multiple or excessive procedures all at the same time).
2.    Know the risks and that not everyone is happy afterwards, but most people get good results if they do the procedure they “need” and find a good surgeon.
3.    Find the best plastic surgeon you can.
4.    Research the various procedures and options.
5.    Be in good physical and mental shape before any surgery to decrease risks and maximize good healing. If you are depressed, surgery won’t cure your depression—better to see a psychologist or a doctor you trust first. If you smoke, don’t get plastic surgery.
6.    Ask lots of questions.

Next: follow-up “botox emergency”.