Plastic Surgery and Black Folk............

I am curious -

Plastic Surgery in general is not something that WE really talk about or 'do' a lot in OUR community.  I wonder if this is because we have some long standing belief that we shouldn't alter our bodies - or if we tend to accept more about ours than others......

What I HAVE noticed even on OH is that WE don't talk a lot about it even here.  Plastics are a natural part of the WLS journey, in my opinion - LOTS of folk end up getting things lifted, tucked, augmented and 'refreshed' after they stabilize their weight - and mostly for MEDICAL reasons - all that leftover skin and fat cause further complications that make life not as wonderful as it COULD be.  

So why don't we delve into and talk about it more, I wonder?  Is there some stigma or issue?  Are most REALLY feeling like they just want to lose the weight, damn how they look afterward?  Is plastic surgery still considered the ultimate in vanity and therefore shunned?

I am curious because based on my experience last year and this year - I see that there are things VERY specific to US that need to be known and talked about - WE cannot just let any doc work us over - and as with anything - lack of information causes unnecessary issues and pain.

So what say you, Fam????

Plastic or cosmetic surgery, I believe, has become an acceptable part of popular American culture. It's difficult to pick up a magazine or watch any celebrity based show and not hear the subject mentioned. Thanks to the baby boom generation's desire to stay young or at least remain healthy and vibrant as long as possible, people are more open to experimenting with the idea. I say, whatever it takes to be happy with the one life you've been given, do it.

I think that economically, the prospect of spending thousands of dollars on changing the way a person looks has been seen as vain or even impractical for most members of the African American community. It's just not the number one issue when you've got so many other things to deal with. 

Of course, there's also the misconception that African Americans, especially women, have a natural beauty that shouldn't be tampered with, hence the  "black don't crack" mentality.

I've committed myself to improving my health and lifestyle. Plastic surgery will be a part of the experience whatever its costs.

I feel you - I used to think that plastics were a 'white folk' thang - but obviously, I have changed that viewpoint. 

I really think it's a underexplored topic and we do ourselves a GREAT disservice.  The skin issues with AA skin alone warrant that we take a hard look into this - my scarring last year vs this year is an AMAZING difference - because I took the time to find a doc that works with US and knows our unique challenges.

I think we are raised to accept more about our body than others. I dont know about anybody else but when you have loss as much weight as I have, no amount of leg lifts, scrunches, or anything is going to tone up over 200 lbs of weight loss sagging skin. My friends and family have said several times that all I need to do is......whatever the miracle exercise is in their heads. When I break it down to them and start removing clothes, thats when they start asking guestion and stop making suggestions. I have worked out from the beginning and it might have helped in the amount I have sagging but I still have alot of sagging skin that needs to be removed. The fact that I am almost 50 adds to that as well. I dont want a body like a 16 y/o. I want to look like a damn good looking 50 y/o. I want a slammin' body. PERIOD! 

I do find it amazing that when they see that you are serious about it, thats when they start asking question regarding some body issue that they might consider talking to a plastic surgeon about. They get more comfortable discussing it with me. It seems like they are testing the water when they tell you that you shouldn't have any work done and then when they find out how serious and passionate you are about it, then they feel comfortable talking to you about what they have been thinking about.   

Good question...Do you have any pictures?

As a fellow 200lb loser - I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!  Folk would look at me all bunched up in a girdle and say 'you look FINE' - WHATEVER dude - all this **** UNROLLS when the girdle comes off and it ain't that pretty!!!!!  LOL  And I worked out with a trainer for my first YEAR after WLS so I KNOW I gave it my ALL - just ain't no way to lose 200lbs and 'snap back' **** what cha heard!  LOL

Of COURSE I have pics - I will hit you on the BL with the info - I don't like to share them with just errybody.........

I think that it is economics.  Many of our people can't afford plastics. Many of the Ins companies want pay for it. Blacks have no problems altering themselves. Look at the tattoos and piercings that many in our culture were. I agree that sharing about our experience with plastics is very help to all that r considering it.  Plastics can improve our quality of life.

Sorry - I have to disagree.  As many things as WE find money for - we can afford plastics if we WANTED them.  Hell - you think I just pulled 10K outta my ASS over the last two years for all the **** I had done?  NOPE - just like I 'found' money to get my braids done - I 'found' this **** to make this happen.  We will go all out for rims - but won't get out bodies together ~smh~ sad, sad reality. 

Finally an interesting topic on BAF to make me come out of lurk mode!! LOL

Honestly, black people have SEVERAL things that need to brought to the table but for some reason or another it is so hush hush in our community. One thing many of us don't do is try to eat right and exercise at the beginning to be healthy BEFORE obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc cause us to want to get healthy.

Oddly, I was  healthy "Obese" person with no co-mobilities except "BEING FAT".  Oh back to your subject after losing 134 pounds I am so thankful the ONLY hanging skin I had was in my belly. Plastic was not a option for me because Rhonda simply refused to get cut again. Fast forward almost six years post-op and 100,000 sit-ups later I decided that I need to get a tummy tuck. To ME there is nothing cute about having a big belly.

Insurance was not a option since my firm had switched insurance at least four times since my RNY. I ventured out on the Internet and thought about the possibility of doing a cosmetic loan and assumed I wouldn't get approve and was shocked when I received the loan. I am so happy with my flat tummy and would do it all over again, REGARDLESS of this cost. Simply because I think and KNOW I worth every penny spent.  

Well - I am just now feeling up to sitting and typing for long periods of time, PLUS I am able to think about something OTHER than my discomfort so I can put my thoughts back on BAF these days!!!  Lessee if I can KEEP you outta lurk mode this week!!!  LMAOOOOOO

I feel you on the **** we don't talk about - had a friend's cousin's wife die last week at 39 from a massive heart attack - she wasn't obese, had pre-hypertension BUT wasn't keeping up with blood sugar and had a 600+ level - went into diabetic coma shock and had the heart attack.  Regular screening and doc monitoring could have prevented that ~smh~ so sad.  I am sure she was having symptoms and not feeling well beforehand, but didn't want to 'talk' or 'tell' anybody - we always soldier along instead of speak on it.  that's why me and my moms ALWAYS talk about how we are FEELING when we talk to each other - we have helped each other see things that we would have otherwise looked over.

As for plastics - chile - cost be DAMNED!!!!  I have spent so much bull**** money on everything ELSE under the sun - why NOT spend $$ on my body???!!!!  It amazes me how a ***** will have a closet FULL of Coach, Louis, Baby Phat and **** - but need TWO girdles to make that **** look HALFWAY decent but will SWEAR up and down that she ain't gon let nobody cut her!!!!!  

Black folks I do believe have a issue with plastic surgery.   I want and plan to have the bags that I have developed under my eyes since surgery removed and I told my moma not to tell people and everyone that she of course did tell thinks i'm trying to be like the "White California Folk."

I guess now i'm trying to be to Hollywood for them because I hate the bags under my eyes.  I have been talked about like you would not believe.  When I went home people were like what is wrong with your eyes I don't see a problem,  and I was like that is because it's not your problem it's mine.   

Yes black people do have a lot of issue with plastic surgery.