Sometimes I photoshop my neck…and other confessions
This Plastic Surgery Costs 2014 is brought to you in conjunction with Dr. Kaplan’s Buildmybod to help you find costs of plastic surgery procedures in your area of the country.
The Chief Blonde and her Neck: Top Right: Photoshopped; Middle Left: The neck of yesteryear; Middle Right: The neck scarf;Bottom Right: The hand block
The Saggy Neck — Is plastic surgery the answer?
I used to have a long and graceful neck. In fact, at times, I felt my neck was too long. I actually stopped obsessing about that when I met ballet dancers and realized a long neck can be an asset (alas, it didn’t make me the Swan Queen…)
However, as I often model fashion on this blog, I have to shift through countless pictures of myself. Many times, if not outloud, than in my head, I think “Egads…whose NECK is that?” when choosing images to post. I resort to various techniques to camouflage my neck including PicMonkey airbrushing, scarves, and the famous “block the neck with the hand” pose.
Sometimes, I wonder–if I had the money or was willing to spend the money– is plastic surgery the answer? That always leads me to think about what plastic surgery procedures actually cost.
Plastic Surgery Costs for 2014
Anyone who is toying with the idea of plastic surgery will want to check the new website called www.BuildMyBod.com – the only place to get real time procedure pricing including all the extras like the operating room, etc. I find the blog especially useful as it details many procedures with pictures, costs, and aspects to consider.
Plastic surgery pricing can be very difficult to understand because there are so many factors involved such as the surgeon’s fee, OR fees, anesthesia fees, cost of implants (if any), post-op garments, cosmetic insurance, etc. Those factors are hard to include as a menu on a website but BuildMyBod’s patented system allows a plastic surgeon to enter fees for each procedure and take into account all of those variables. For example, OR/anesthesia fees depend on how long the operation is. The BuildMyBod system can alter the costs instantaneously to correspond to the procedure or procedures to give an accurate estimate.
~Dr. Kaplan, Founder, Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco
This comprehensive infographic summarizes Plastic Surgery Costs 2014 across the country
For further discussion and analysis of the data for these Plastic Surgery Costs 2014, read Dr. Kaplan’s article: 2014 Annual Plastic Surgery Pricing Report Unveiled
Well, never say never, but I intend to just live with my neck. It is starting to sag. But worse, I have this skin ‘condition’ that looks like chicken skin (though not quite that unattractive) and it’s reddish with the bumps–Dermatologist says its due to my sun worshipping days! Ugh…….
OMG I need my neck done! I hate it and and resort to all the things you mentioned here to hide it. I also hate my bumpy upper arms Ugh! I’ll definitely check out this website!
Cool graphics / stats. At this point, I’m saying “no” to going under the knife. I’m too freaked out about possible complications. A friend’s mom died from complications when getting stomach band surgery. Scary! In my mind’s eye, I’m 38, and I project confidence. And dress to draw the eye away from less flattering body parts. So far, these things are working for me.
Hmm.. I need something for everything from my tummy down!
I think it’s wise to marry a cosmetic surgeon.
I already ask anyone holding the camera to take pictures from above to avoid the double chin – luckily I’m short so maybe that’s the way everyone actually sees me!
I’ve often wondered about breast lifts and minimizing (which I know can be covered under some insurance plans.) It’s hard to think I’d willingly pay to go under the knife for an elective surgery, but it’s also impressive how affordable it keeps getting in relation to the average income. Both of my cousins (19 and 21) have had enlargements and paid for it through installments while working!
I think in a few years, but I am considering it already. It is pretty interesting how different ages “fix” different things
That is very interesting to know how different generations look at the plastic surgery
Actually yes I do worry about it and my face, etc! Just in the past 5 years it has been on my mind. At this point I probably would not spend the money for surgery but I think about it on occasion.
Plastic surgery is expensive, can be dangerous and sometimes results in a freakish appearance. If stars like Joan Rivers, Barry Manilow, Joan Van Ark and Kenny Rogers can be practically disfigured by the finest Hollywood surgeons, what can average people expect from less experienced doctors? The cavalier attitude that so many take toward these serious and potentially damaging procedures scares me to no end. Some parents are buying their teenage daughters boob jobs. What message does that send to impressionable girls? I understand about wanting to conceal your neck because I have a double chin and the plus-size body to go with it. The good news is I barely look 40 (at 43) because my face is plumper than average, but that’s a small benefit compared to feeling ashamed about my body and out of shape. Would I ever have liposuction or a gastric bypass? No to the first, maybe to the second, but as a matter of health more than appearance. The most important thing I’ve done for myself is try to counteract all the negative statements I encounter each day about aging or obesity. It helps to fondly remember “non-perfect” women I’ve known who were amazing human beings and some examples from history of women who were valued for their curves, silver hair or sagacity. If you’ve never seen the Venus of Willendorf, look it up. That’s what our ancestors considered the feminine ideal. My how times have changed! We can choose to believe the lie that advertisers foist upon us that we are never good enough in our natural state, or we can try to accept ourselves for the unique, multidimensional beings we really are inside these meaningless flesh husks. Anyone who writes you off because of how you look wasn’t worth knowing. Don’t be that shallow to yourself either. In the case of a fashion shoot, I can understand why you might feel more comfortable disguising your neck, but chances are hardly anyone would shy away from buying something they like because they didn’t find the model absolutely perfect. If you had shared a shot of your “awful” neck with us, I’ll bet a lot of people would say they don’t see anything wrong with it. We always magnify our own perceived flaws. Try to be a little kinder to yourself.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. This article was intended to ask, Do you think about it and Are you curious to know the cost. If I missed the mark with you, I am sorry.
Hmmm I need a whole body tuck :p I don’t think it is worth the money…I’m gonna grow old gracefully…or disgracefully in hiding :p
I haven’t decided yet. It seems like a lot of money, but little kids get braces so…
I never used to worry about my neck until I saw pictures of myself. Oh my goodness, my chin has completely flabbed into my neck. It looks awful! I’ve never considered plastic surgery until now, but have already mentioned it to my husband a couple of times. It really does bother me, and I’m so glad to have this infographic so I can get an idea of the cost involved.
I think we all have our body part of choice that we go to extra lengths to block or make look good-Mine is definitely my neck as well; I try to stretch my neck out when a picture is being taken otherwise I get the dreaded ‘double chin’ or my face looks more on the “plump” side.
It’s interesting to see, if money weren’t an object, who would opt for plastic surgery. I say if it would make you feel better about yourself there’s nothing wrong with it!
OMG I love this!! My mom and I talk about this all the time when we are taking pictures of ourselves for our biz. We constantly are trying to angle so we don’t see too much neck haha. Plastic surgery is so expensive, we do what we gotta do to hide it without paying haha
I’ve totally thought about photoshopping my neck/face wrinkles lol. Haven’t done it yet tho.
Really interesting about the costs of plastic surgery, it’s more affordable than I thought. I’m in my 40’s and the only thing I’d do is the tummy tuck. My twins sure did a number on that area 😉
Very interesting infographic. I was not aware of the costs involved. Now I’m informed so I thank you for that.
As for my neck – not really. I inherited my father’s no neck look.
a necklift is the only plastic surgery I think I would like, most other things are diet and exercise but nothing heps the neck ( except photoshopping of course) Thanks for the very interesting series
Too late to worry about it now. My neck and décolletage should have had sunblock years ago…
I look in the mirro and wonder sometimes who the old woman is looking back… but would I get vanity surgery? No.
Thank you for the voice of reason. Any non-model/non-celebrity spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on vanity surgery needs to work on self-esteem and maybe donate some of that money to a children’s hospital or breast cancer research.