I recently read this blog from Hilary Magazine regarding Karolina Kurkova being too fat!  I really looked at this picture and thought if she was any thinner, she would look anorexic. 

I’m reading words describing her body as ‘fat’, ‘chubby’, ‘love handles’ ‘cellulite’. 

Well, I looked and looked and I sure don’t see anything but a beautiful healthy looking woman.  Our society puts so much pressure on women in particular to look like sticks with big boobs.  Ewww, but that to me is just not attractive. 

Shame on you Brazil for putting so much pressure on women! 

Beth

Toni Braxton has cancelled all remaining shows in Vegas due to on-going health problems.  These shows were scheduled through the end of August. 

 Photo by Joe Kohen / WireImage

In April, Toni was hospitalized for chest pains and was diagnosed with hypertension and pericarditis, a viral inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. 

Interestingly enough, Braxton also had to have her implants removed several years ago.  She was reported to have ‘excessive scar tissue’.  Whether her latest health problems are related to the breast implants has been undetermined. 

After helping women for the last 3+ years, I’ve heard many times about similiar problems.  Many women complain of chest pains and heart palpitations following breast augmentation.  Some of these women’s symptoms become so severe, they have to have explant under local anesthesia.  All these women have reported that they did not suffer any of these problems prior to having breast augmentation. 

I hope that Toni can recover quickly and get ‘on with the show’.

Beth

It seems as though some of these Doctors are willing to come up with anything in order to insert silicone in our bodies.   Of course we all know about silicone gel breast implants but (no pun intended) there are people having their butt’s enlarged and men having their abs looking like a washboard with implants as well but when I read this article, I thought what else??? 

Come on, a scalp lift that entails inserting some sort of silicone implant into the top of the head to appear taller?  This is really crazy not to mention very dangerous.  This world is so obsessed with everything relating to our looks including our height. 

I can’t help but wonder how long before his hair stops growing in that spot and he starts to develop brain fog or worse yet, autoimmune disorders, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and the list goes on. 

Now is this really worth all the risks just to be a few inches taller?  I wonder if he was warned of all the dangers in doing this procedure?  I doubt not as the article quotes Dr Luis de la Cruz as saying “It is a relatively simple procedure that can have a wonderfully positive effect on the patient’s life”.  I know that my breast augmentation sure didn’t have a ‘wonderfully postitive effect on my life’. 

Alright everyone, I’m hoping this post is going to strike up some interesting comments and opinions. This is something that I hear over and over again from the “pro-implant” and “pro-plastic surgery” people. They seem to think that if women are against breast implants and plastic surgery then that automatically makes them against using sunscreens, anti-aging lotions, hair dyes, braces, make-up and other “products” to help them look their best and assist them in keeping their youthful appearances.

I recently read this blog where it talks about how actress and mother, Cate Blanchett openly “poo poos” plastic surgery. Cate says that she doesn’t find it attractive when people get work done and that their motivation is “self obsession” and “fear.” She also said: “For me, I think what will be sexy in 50 years time will be wrinkles. Look at a man or a woman in their 50s and all I see when they have brushed their years away with surgery is self-obsession and fear. That’s not particularly attractive.”

What I found most interesting was that in this same blog, as well as this one and this one, people were actually condemning Cate for endorsing and being a spokesperson for a skincare line called, SK-II. Cate says she uses one of their products, a moisturizing skin mask made of cotton, every morning while she makes her sons’ breakfast. Many people seem to think that Cate is being a hypocrite for saying she is against plastic surgery, but then at the same time she is using an expensive anti-wrinkle cream on her face every day.

For the life of me I cannot figure out how the two things are connected. Plastic surgery is trying to be something you are not, completely changing a body part (or multiple body parts for some people.) Using a wrinkle cream is only putting in the effort to “look your best.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but just because I am not a big fan of breast implants and plastic surgery in general doesn’t automatically mean that I don’t try and look my best everyday. But, the biggest difference in those who go under the knife to look their best; is that I am using what I was born with to look my best, just putting my best foot forward everyday. Yes, I wear make-up, I put lotion with sunscreen on my face everyday, I use hair styling products and I exercise regularly. Does that make me a hypocrite? Should I walk out of the house everyday only wearing a paper bag, with my hair disheveled, zero make-up on, and never use sunscreen just because I am not a fan of plastic surgery? I’d love to hear what others have to say on this topic.

Last night while catching up with one of my favorite late night shows, Chelsea Lately, I was reminded of yet another reason why I love comedian Chelsea Handler.  She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind, even if it contradicts popular opinion (exhibit A, when Jenny McCarthy came on her show to talk about the Autism/vaccine connection).

June 12th’s episode was no exception, when the round table discussion decided to take on the concept of breast implants. 

Sarah Larson (George Clooney’s now ex-girlfriend)  apparently got breast implants right before they broke up and it turns out that George didn’t like that.  Reportedly George Clooney told Sarah not to get breast implants and she got them anyway.  And now the only woman that seemed to really captivate Mr. Clooney has been cast off of George island.

 ”You know you’re the man when you beak up with your girlfriend for getting a boob job,” said comedian Owen Benjamin at the Chelsea Lately round table.

I’m not quite sure how to take this comment, but Chelsea’s really got my attention:

“I’m pretty excited.  I like hearing that guys don’t like fake boobs because I think people should stop getting fake boobs and I think girls should stop getting plastic surgery.” ~Chelsea Handler

THANK YOU, CHELSEA, for taking a chance and saying something positive!  I’m with you, let’s help girls turn their focus away from plastic surgery.  Perhaps she has heard that breast implants are not a healthy option?

~Kacey

I think that today’s society, men, women, and the pressure to be perfect has the largest effect on women who choose to get breast implants. I am 23 years old, 5′7, 140 pounds and a B cup. Well, barely a B, but I am still a B. I am desperate to have my breasts done. I cry about it and obsess over it. I could care less whether or not it is safe, I am willing to take the risk and for what? For what other people think of me. I know it is ridiculous, I have a boyfriend who thinks I’m crazy, but I can’t help but think whenever a girl walks by with a large C cup and a small waist that he would much rather be with her at night then with me. I’m miserable. It does not stop at my breasts, it is my entire body. I am constantly picking myself apart, and some days I’m too depressed to get off the couch and get dressed. If it weren’t for that fact that I had to go to work, I wouldn’t get up at all sometimes.

Now, I know what this is from. I had an eating disorder, I was bulimic and anorexic in high school, in fact it started in 8th grade and I like to believe that I am over it, but I’m not. Recently I was complaining about my body when my boyfriend looked at me and made a comment very unlike him to make; He said “you know that is very unattractive, no self confidence”. Now, I know that men like self confidence, but honestly I did not even think he was listening half the time when I would rant and rave about my body. He then said “I think you’re sexy and there is nothing wrong with you”. However, from the years of looking at the unrealistic women in the magazines and internal dialog I’ve created with myself, I cannot believe him. I think that he is saying these things just to shut me up.

I’m writing all of this because I know that so many young women are affected by these things. I was very sexually promiscuous when I was younger for nothing more than the feeling that I was “good enough” whatever that is and I have done many horrible things to my mind, body, and soul all in the pursuit of being “pretty enough” or “sexy enough”.

The media, women, men, and what goes on within yourself all contribute to why women are willing to put their lives on the line for the “perfect” body. I’ve now begun to keep these thoughts and feelings inside as I do not want to turn my boyfriend off any more than I believe I already do and returning to destructive habits of throwing up certain foods that I think I do not need to eat. Common sense wise, I know that I am not fat, but for some reason when I look in the mirror or hear myself think that is all I tell myself. I pick myself apart constantly and part of my wanting breast augmentation is because (even though I know it is not true) I think maybe, just maybe, I will feel better about myself and these constant thoughts of inadequacy and imperfection will go away.

We recently received the above comment to one of our posts here at Beauty and The Breast, and I thought it was important to highlight this comment because these comments are ones that we hear far too often from young women.

First, I wanted to say to this young woman that I think most all women can relate to what you are saying. I do feel like you left this comment for us because you are trying to reach out, understand yourself better and just try to see if there are other’s that can relate to you. I will be the first to tell you that—–yes, we can ALL relate.

I also want to say that I was in your shoes not that many years ago. I had low self-esteem, I never felt pretty enough, sexy enough, desired enough, smart enough, etc. I decided to go through with getting breast implants when I was 25 years old. I thought they would be the answer to all of my problems, all of my self-esteem issues, and that all would be right in the world if I had them. The truth was that breast implants did not change any of that for me. I was still the exact say girl I always was; only now I was constantly trying to cover myself up because it was very obvious that I had implants. Every time I’d put on a bathing suit everyone would stare at me because my breasts looked like two awkward grapefruits stuck to my chest. I never wore low-cut clothing because; again I was embarrassed that everyone knew I had fake breasts. I have many many friends and family members who have breast implants, and they are the exact same way…constantly trying to “keep them under wraps.”

What you also need to remember is that for a lot of women breast implants make them look heavier and their waists shorter. That is one thing that I don’t think a lot of women think about before getting their implants, and then they are disappointed at the way their bodies look with implants. I know many women who have decided just a few weeks or a few months after getting implants that they are not all they are cracked up to be and opt to have them taken out. Mostly because they are awkward and fake-looking, make them look heavier and just don’t look right on their bodies.

Before going under the knife to get breast implants, or any cosmetic surgery for that matter I think women need to stop and ask themselves “why am I doing this?” Is it because you think by doing it all of your problems are going to be solved, or your life is going to better, or your self-esteem will be higher? Because breast implants won’t solve ANY of those things. One important lesson I have learned over the past couple of years is that self-esteem and beauty starts from the inside, it isn’t something that you can buy from a plastic surgeon, or by getting plastic bags inserted into your chest. Far too women think implants will solve their problem….in reality…they won’t.
Now, don’t get me wrong I know we are inundated with “perfect” looking women in magazines, on TV, in the movies…it’s everywhere. And, I know that this is something that is never going to change. Us “real” women are always going to have to compete with these “perfect” women (who by the way aren’t all that perfect, everyone has flaws,) but if we can somehow find our own inner beauty and see & accept our own unique beauty…it is only then that we will be truly beautiful. Self-confidence is what is beautiful, not a manufactured body part.

Melissa, I hope you will be able to find peace and acceptance within yourself, and be able to love yourself as you were created. It sounds like you have a very loving boyfriend, who thinks you are very sexy…what else matters? And, you sound like you have a wonderful body that a lot of women would love to have. I hope you will stop comparing yourself to other girls. You are only setting yourself up for failure when you don’t feel you are as pretty or as perfect as the girls in the magazines. It sounds like your issues are very deep-seated, which scares me and I hope you will take our advice and see a counselor. Getting breast implants is not the answer to your problems, your problem is stemming from what is in your head…you already know that. You need to work on loving and accepting yourself, the day you will be able to do that is the day you will see that you don’t need breast implants to be beautiful.

You are right when you say “so many young women are being affected by these things.” Your comment made it sound like they were a disease…which in my mind THEY ARE! I hope you will not be one of the young women affected by them, because trust me…they aren’t worth it. I wish my whole heart and soul that I could turn back the clock to 5 years ago and never get them. For me, would you consider never letting them affect your life like they have mine?
Sincerely, Krista

Am I the only one who thinks Hilary Duff looked better on Lizzie McGuire? She seemed more confident as she flaunted a look that was uniquely her own. I was disappointed when I saw her years later, looking like she gave into celebrity pressures and conformed to a model mentality. Sure I understand that she had to grow up, and that some of the baby weight would fall off…but the change was still quite drastic. There is some talk about whether or not she has had breast augmentation surgery in addition to the rhinoplasty and veneers she has reportedly added (http://www.makemeheal.com/news/breast-augmentation-hilary-duff/407). I gave her the benefit of the doubt before I saw the picture in the black strapless dress (and of course if she’s already had a few cosmetic procedures done…it’s a lot easier to see that she’d think another is no big deal, like we sometimes do).A plastic surgeon commented that, “It is definitely possible she may have had a breast augmentation. The edges of her breast look very defined, which can be a sign of breast implants.” This is exactly what it looks like in the picture of her in a black dress. What do you think, is pre or post “Lizzie” best? And do you think the young actress has breast implants?

~Kacey

I have been reading on many of the wrestling sites over the past few days that according to the latest issue of Power Slam magazine, former WWE Diva, Trish Stratus has removed her breast implants. If this is true, then Trish would be following the lead of other former WWE women like Chyna, Debra “Madusa” Miceli, Kimberly Page and Nidia Guenard, who have also had their implants removed.

These reports have not been confirmed yet, and there is not reports on WHY Trish had her implants removed (if the reports are true,) but I’m sure we will find out one way or the other when recent pictures of Trish start surfacing.

What I found most interesting about this news, was that there were a lot of reports, such as this one that many fans were SURPRISED that Trish had implants in the first place! Wow guys, if you think a woman naturally has breasts that large, perky and high on her chest then you are really as naive as women getting implants hope you are! It always surprises me when a man thinks a women’s implanted breasts are natural. If you were one that one surprised that Trish had implants, I’d love to hear from you!

Jezebel, I Must, I Must Enhance My Bust! Cheaper than implants, and apparently as effective as a cold shower (no, really, read the article), Rodial’s “boob job” is flying off the shelves. Doesn’t anybody like their chest the way it is? If you’re out there, let us know!

Guardian, Enhanced profits at the cutting edge of plastic surgery Never mind the pun; plastic surgery is extremely profitable in England, and they’re catching up to the U.S. quick.

Shakesville, I Done Good–Where’s My Sexual Gratification? “Hey guys, recycle! ‘Cause we’ll totally get with you if you do.” Thank you for touching on this, Shakesville; this kind of sexist advertising follows us everywhere, so much that sometimes we don’t even notice.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Author advises women on creating a tasteful image Oh, thank god. Simon Doonan, creative director for Barney’s New York (you’ve seen him on VH1, I’m sure), has condemned the “whorish norm” of current women’s fashions. Maybe now people will listen? … Anybody?

Adweek (via Jezebel), Gamers Will Not Be Denied Their Ample Boobs An outcry was raised when a video game’s sequel forgot to give the female characters huge racks. But worry not! “The company also told gamers it was ‘working on a fix for this, and your breasts should be back to normal soon.’” Hmm, breasts that change size in just a day or two. Where have we seen this before?

Comedy Central, How Barbara Walters Saved the World from Hillary’s Thunder Thighs Oh, dear. Wrong way to go on this one, buddy. That’s all we’ll say.

There’s some new chatter about Christina Aguilera’s breasts, which we’ve mentioned here before. The Web is swirling with rumors and pictures of her and while I won’t go into the problems there are with breastfeeding and implants (we’ve talked about it before: Toxins in Breastmilk: Don’t Add Silicone; Becoming a Mother with Implants) I will say this: Christina has the right to do what she wants to do with her body. Women, and especially celebrities, get implants for all kinds of reasons, and no one should fault them for that. The issue is about Christina’s health, her baby’s health and her status as a role model for young girls about what’s “beautiful.”

I hope someone gave her all the facts about those implants, but who’s to know if they did? Christina is in the business of being sexy; her body is her job, and Hollywood is an environment that doesn’t exactly promote a woman’s health over her bra size. Many celebrities talk about the pressure women are under to be thin and blonde just to get jobs–apparently Adderall is the latest weight-loss craze. Plastic surgery is no different.

I know that the existence of her implants is the subject of wide speculation and disagreement, but the California Plastic Surgery Institute pretty much sums it up:

Some years back Christina had a breast enhancement surgery. Though she has not confirmed it, we know there was no way that Christina would balloon up so much in the chest region… For women who plan on having kids after a breast augmentation, give a thought to the way your body is going to swell up during pregnancy. It is important to remember that if your nerves get obstructed or damaged during insertion of the breast implants, your milk production will get severely affected.

My issue is not about whether or not she has implants. It’s about standards of beauty and what we teach our children to accept as beautiful. Plastic surgery is so ubiquitous and common that we accept (like Krista pointed out to us) even surgical MISTAKES as more beautiful than what nature intended from the beginning. I don’t know how Christina will teach her child about what “beautiful” means, but I do know that, like any mother, she wants her baby’s mental and physical health to come first. She shouldn’t forget those priorities for herself.

What do you think? Is this just a bad style choice? How much responsibility do celebrities have as role models?