As a plastic surgical trainee, I have tuned into many of these cosmetic surgery programmes, and have been disgusted with the tabloidesque format of these programmes, full of soundbites, and facetious comments dotted throughout the commentary.

This programme is appalling in that the presenter is patronising and great at making the person feel as ugly as possible, in the cruelest way possible i.e. telling the person how ugly and old everyone thinks she looks.

There is no focus or attention on the emotional and psychological well being of the person.It trivialises what are serious and sometimes life-threatening procedures, as if the person is going down to the supermarket or shops, to buy groceries or clothes.

Today's show emphasised how a 40 year old should be taking the examples set by older celebrities, who are in great shape and 'setting the standards' for how older women should look!

Appalling, and hopefully the plastic surgery community, together with the government will tighten up on these programmes, that are exploiting vulnerable people, low on self confidence or self-esteem, and turning them into guinea-pigs for mass public consumption. All for making a fortune for the producers and that annoying presenter.

quote:

Originally posted by plastics:
As a plastic surgical trainee, I have tuned into many of these cosmetic surgery programmes, and have been disgusted with the tabloidesque format of these programmes, full of soundbites, and facetious comments dotted throughout the commentary.

This programme is appalling in that the presenter is patronising and great at making the person feel as ugly as possible, in the cruelest way possible i.e. telling the person how ugly and old everyone thinks she looks.

There is no focus or attention on the emotional and psychological well being of the person.It trivialises what are serious and sometimes life-threatening procedures, as if the person is going down to the supermarket or shops, to buy groceries or clothes.

Today's show emphasised how a 40 year old should be taking the examples set by older celebrities, who are in great shape and 'setting the standards' for how older women should look!

Appalling, and hopefully the plastic surgery community, together with the government will tighten up on these programmes, that are exploiting vulnerable people, low on self confidence or self-esteem, and turning them into guinea-pigs for mass public consumption. All for making a fortune for the producers and that annoying presenter.

On that note, does anyone know/used an oil/cream to promote the healing and look of scars? Has to be something which can be used on the facial area. I heard that Rosehip Oil was good.I don't mean the heavy duty stuff to make scars fade, which perhaps contain Retinol.This is to be massaged into the scar area to help even out any scarline.
All comments and experiences welcome.

patpot, there is no oil/cream/product that has been proven scientifically to promote the healing and look of established scars at the moment. make up is probably your best bet.
if it's a nasty scar causing problems, some surgeons offer scar revision if its suitable.

Thanks for your reply Plastics. Been in touch with Glovers Apothecary in Edinburgh. She recommends Thiosiamine along with Vitamin E cream + Thiosiamine 6 Homeopathic tablets.The scar is very fresh at the moment so might give this some thought.

Patpot.

quote:

Originally posted by patpot:
On that note, does anyone know/used an oil/cream to promote the healing and look of scars? Has to be something which can be used on the facial area. I heard that Rosehip Oil was good.I don't mean the heavy duty stuff to make scars fade, which perhaps contain Retinol.This is to be massaged into the scar area to help even out any scarline.
All comments and experiences welcome.

This probably won't be any help to you, as they're not really intended for the face, but I've used the patches that you can buy for scar removal, a few different types, but mainly the silicone ones, and they don't do anything!!

And although I wasn't expecting much from them, I'm disappointed that they can (a) charge such a ridiculous amount of money for something which costs nothing to produce and (b) advertise them showing a woman with perfect skin and stating that she used to be covered in awful scars until she used their amazing wonder product, when in fct all they do is turn red scars into white scars, more quickly than would happen naturally. But they;re really no less apparent.

Sorry, went off into a bit of a rant there

That's ok Celia Fate, thanks for your interest. I had intended looking into those patches, but you've saved me the bother.

quote:

Originally posted by plastics:
As a plastic surgical trainee, I have tuned into many of these cosmetic surgery programmes, and have been disgusted with the tabloidesque format of these programmes, full of soundbites, and facetious comments dotted throughout the commentary.

This programme is appalling in that the presenter is patronising and great at making the person feel as ugly as possible, in the cruelest way possible i.e. telling the person how ugly and old everyone thinks she looks.

There is no focus or attention on the emotional and psychological well being of the person.It trivialises what are serious and sometimes life-threatening procedures, as if the person is going down to the supermarket or shops, to buy groceries or clothes.

Today's show emphasised how a 40 year old should be taking the examples set by older celebrities, who are in great shape and 'setting the standards' for how older women should look!

Appalling, and hopefully the plastic surgery community, together with the government will tighten up on these programmes, that are exploiting vulnerable people, low on self confidence or self-esteem, and turning them into guinea-pigs for mass public consumption. All for making a fortune for the producers and that annoying presenter.

Hang on a minute, where does it state that these people were kidnapped and forced to have surgery?!? It doesnt, they are 12 out of thousands that apply to get this treatment for free, and end up loooking a damn site better than they originally did due to there own negligence I might add, if I was offered free surgery in exchange for a few home truths I would snap it up, and yes Im fully aware of the risks involved

I know what she is trying to say I just dont get why people moan about a programme instead of using the off button, or the other novel idea channels 1,2,3 or 5

Well, if I was the woman on the last show, I would be incredibly happy for the job that was done.

What a turn around. And, please note, she says she is now obsessive about her teeth. It's not likely she's going to relapse.

I kinda like the programme. It goes to show what can be done, albeit with a load of money that most of us probably don't have. I can dream, can't I?

jp

I think she makes people look a lot better and you see their confidence imrove dramatically. What can be wrong with that? They chose to do it, mostly with a great result.

The only thing I don't like is, like Trinny and Susanna, what's-her-face who presents it tries to make them look just like her. She picks clothes of an identical style to her own.

PatPot,When your scars have settled,I suggest a year.You can have laser which diminishes the scars to almost invisible.it's used very successfully on Acne scars.
I for one am a fan of the programme,for women of a certain age that don't want to become an old hag,it gives them insights into what can be done for them at a price.They can also see the results of certain surgeons work at first hand.
It's no more vain than wearing makeup or going to the hairdressers,it's just another process of looking good.They are not having surgery to alter them,just to take off the encroaching years.In other words putting the clock back.Because it is true men age,but women get old.

JIo2,It's what most of us call living in a democracy.

firstly i'm not a she, and im not sure why you have made that assumption.

secondly, i think the whole point of a forum is to discuss the good and bad of tv. i expressed my point of view. you obviously love the show, good for you. i have no problem with makeover programmes, all i was specifically talking about was the trivial way they dealt with plastic surgery, as if they were going shopping for clothes. the whole emphasis was on a quick fix solution to essentially low self-esteem, and the presenter's contrived remarks are jsut ridiculous. i would be happy if she just stuck to presenting makeover programmes, but when she is getting involved in plastic surgery, it's not the same as going down the shops to make sure your clothes are just right.

these kind of programmes make insecure people think that surgery is an easy option to feeling better about yourself. a study of the scientific literature would suggest it may not be. balanced programming should be a responsibility of tv company bosses, you can't just use the excuse that if you dont like it, switch it off.

quote:

Originally posted by jojo71:
they are 12 out of thousands that apply to get this treatment for free, and end up loooking a damn site better than they originally did due to there own negligence I might add, if I was offered free surgery in exchange for a few home truths I would snap it up, and yes Im fully aware of the risks involved

and that is exactly my point. surgery is not a lighthearted matter, where you think, oh, look they are offering it for free, so lets have a go...these programmes are making money out of peoples insecurities, and essentially encouraging them to undergo surgery by offering it for free. that's unethical.

What's unethical about doing surgery for free.As has previously been stated, these women applied to the show,the surgery is not performed by quacks on them,but by eminent surgeons.I'm sure these surgeons don't take the job of operating on these people lightly.I suspect they are given thorough medicals beforehand.

I agree with Porche. They applied to be on the show and they are fully aware that cosmetic surgery has been part of each and every previous episode, too, so the option of surgery is not suddenly appearing from behind a bush. As for insecurities - yes, all of us have them, however I would like you to show me a trained surgeon, reconstructive dentist or similar who would carry out any work on a psychologically fragile, unstable or otherwise unsuitable person.

Define vanity.

It is, in my opinion, not vanity to want to look halfway decent again. With all due respect, previous people on the show were train wrecks (obviously chosen for a dramatic before and after, but that's not the point) and I want to know what's vain to have a set of rotten, non-existent or wonky teeth restored or have a chemical peel to get rid of a nasty layer of skin. I would draw the vanity line where people have work done on something that is perfectly fine to begin with. If you think any tampering with our god-given body makes us guilty of the sin of vanity, then that is your point of view and you're entitled to that. But don't judge people who are obviously not happy with the state they are in now, over and above cosmetic vanity, and are choosing to be given professional advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Porche:
PatPot,When your scars have settled,I suggest a year.You can have laser which diminishes the scars to almost invisible.it's used very successfully on Acne scars.
I for one am a fan of the programme,for women of a certain age that don't want to become an old hag,it gives them insights into what can be done for them at a price.They can also see the results of certain surgeons work at first hand.
It's no more vain than wearing makeup or going to the hairdressers,it's just another process of looking good.They are not having surgery to alter them,just to take off the encroaching years.In other words putting the clock back.Because it is true men age,but women get old.

Thanks Porche, It's not a huge area involved and I can probably cover it OK. Could also slightly change hairstyle, but I actually like having my hair tucked behind my ears. The area is just in front of one ear. Going to wait and see how it shapes up. On the issue of Laser Treatment, had'nt thought of this but will do.
Have you heard of a product called Elicina?It's made from the ....wait for it, the secretion of snails! A Professor in Brazil discovered it when he noticed that the people who 'farmed the snails' had beautifully soft skin on their hands. He now uses it(the cream) to treat serious burn victims. I searched' Elicina 'on Yahoo and got reams of info, on the subject of scar tissue and it's treatment of acne also.

Hope you find it interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by patpot:

quote:

Originally posted by Porche:
PatPot,When your scars have settled,I suggest a year.You can have laser which diminishes the scars to almost invisible.it's used very successfully on Acne scars.
I for one am a fan of the programme,for women of a certain age that don't want to become an old hag,it gives them insights into what can be done for them at a price.They can also see the results of certain surgeons work at first hand.
It's no more vain than wearing makeup or going to the hairdressers,it's just another process of looking good.They are not having surgery to alter them,just to take off the encroaching years.In other words putting the clock back.Because it is true men age,but women get old.

Thanks Porche, It's not a huge area involved and I can probably cover it OK. Could also slightly change hairstyle, but I actually like having my hair tucked behind my ears. The area is just in front of one ear. Going to wait and see how it shapes up. On the issue of Laser Treatment, had'nt thought of this but will do.
Have you heard of a product called Elicina?It's made from the ....wait for it, the secretion of snails! A Professor in Brazil discovered it when he noticed that the people who 'farmed the snails' had beautifully soft skin on their hands. He now uses it(the cream) to treat serious burn victims. I searched' Elicina 'on Yahoo and got reams of info, on the subject of scar tissue and it's treatment of acne also.

Hope you find it interesting.

Actually it's Chile, and you can look up the name Fernando Bascunan, he is the person who discovered the benefits of 'Elicina'

So whilst wanting to look better naturally is ok, wanting and being encouraged to look better by way of other procedures is vanity and therefore not ok?

I'd go along with plastics' point of view. Although there is a place for cosmetic surgery, a huge run of soaps and TV programmes have tended to trivialise it into something you can buy off the shelf. What we don't get to see is any pre-surgical counselling, and only once have I seen a surgeon on the show absolutely refuse to do any surgery on a client unless she game up smoking / lost weight first. Mind you I haven't watched all the programmes so I could be being unfair on that bit.

But the point I and others are making is that it's not a quick fix thing and there are attendant risks with any type of surgery. Some of these clients are having major work done - abdominplasty is a major operation however it's presented on the programme. Even liposuction may looks easy-peasy but it's a shock to the body and not only are there risks which must be explained and understood first, there is also the anaesthetic risk. Cosmetic surgery is not something to be undergone lightly.

I know many stories of women who have had breast augmentations / reductions / reshaping and the results aren't always what they expected, simply because each person's body reacts in different ways. Skin scars in different ways. You will sometimes get capsules forming around an implant because the body is rejecting what in fact is a foreign body. Infection after an augmentation can mean taking the implant out again and letting the body heal for about three months before reimplanting.

What might make the programme more realistic and therefore more responsible is stressing that cosmetic surgery, as an option for reducing the signs of ageing or reconstructing a part of the body one's not happy with, is a serious decision and one that should be consdered very carefully. I wonder why it is that people treat the prospect of any other type of surgery with some trepidation, whereas cosmetic surgery is perceived to be as serious as going to Tesco's (apart from the fact that most other surgery is done because you're ill - but anyway ... )

/little rant

I have read through all the posts on this site with great interest. I have to being a bit addicted to these 'before and after' image programmes, whether it be in human form or bricks and mortar.

There has been a programme running on one of the other channels over the last three weeks very similar to 10 Years Younger, but ....and this may satisfy Mr. Plastics... with a psychologist on tap who tries to get to the bottom of the applicant's insecurities.

I have actually wondered what some of the candidates are doing on a programme like this, especially the younger ones. All most of them need is a good haircut, scale and polish on their teeth and perhaps some help in the fashion department. Some however, really do need help and the transformations have been stunning. I do believe that if a person is being brought down mentally because of the way they look, then if they can afford it, they should go ahead and have the treatment done. We know that today the accent seems to be on 'image', but along with the image thing, there is also self-respect and confidence which I feel everyone deserves to feel about themselves.

One question my husband has repeatedly asked is 'who pays for all this treatment' It must amount to thousands. Afterall, there is no 'phone-in' which sponsor many programmes, so I'm really curious. Do the surgeons and orthodontists give their time free in the hopes that the programme will generate business for them. Does anyone know?

Thankyou PatPot,I will look up the information,as research never does anyone any harm.I hope there are before and after photographs on there so one can get a better idea as to the effectiveness of the cream.I know laser and dermabrasion is very good for your problem,but I would like to stress,ring you local Private Hospital about it,don't go to a beauty salon where they have similar things.It shouldn't be that expensive as you are only having a small area done.Plus the results will be permanent.Good luck PatPot for a satifactory result.