Latest news with #cosmeticsurgery
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
How can I stop fixating on my appearance?
How can I stop fixating so much on my appearance? I'm a woman in my late 30s and recently a photo taken in a professional context has sent me spiralling about how I appear to others. I find myself poring over photos for evidence that I'm either ugly or beautiful. In reality I know I'm pretty average looking and the way I look hasn't held me back from finding a loving partner or living a meaningful life – so it shouldn't matter. And yet when my confidence wobbles or my mood is low, it's my physical appearance that obsesses me. How can I de-centre the importance of looks? Eleanor says: Lately I've been getting a lot of ads for cosmetic surgeries; I guess the algorithm ghost thinks I'd like some. But I keep having this experience where I look at the proudly presented 'before and after' photos and feel a poignant fondness for the woman on the left, now erased. Sometimes she reminds me of the women who raised me. My teachers and my relatives and my friends' mothers – good, loving, twinkly-eyed women who taught me how to read and make cakes and laugh and aspire. The 'before' women kind of recall them, at various points in their middle-to-old age. But if the women I've known had lines on their faces or 'saggy' necks – it besmirches them to even talk about them like this – it's only in slightly seeing their echos in these photos, labelled as faults, that it's ever occurred to me to notice. I'm sure it's the same for you with the women who played these roles in your life: we just do not evaluate them on grounds of appearance. It would be a stupid misunderstanding of their value to do so. And of course, because of that, we think they're just beautiful. I miss those echos in the 'after'. The point isn't what you should or shouldn't do with your face. The actual women in these photos may be thrilled. The point is just that there's a way of looking at the people we love and respect that most of us use easily, daily. We see a whole person instead of evaluating or nitpicking parts of their appearance. Why is it hard to extend that way of seeing to ourselves? Why do we look at the women we love and admire through the macro of soul and character, but view ourselves through the unforgiving micro of a magnifying mirror? I can't pretend to know – we're up against industries worth billions and millenia of raising girls on skincare and diets. But I think the task you face is figuring out how to see yourself the same way you see the women you love. Literally visually see; so that what comes back at you from the mirror is a person, not a series of component parts in need of tuning. How do we do that? I think you're on to something big when you say appearance looms when confidence wobbles or mood is low. I notice that the busier I am with things I love, the less it occurs to me to wonder how I look. It's not that I answer that question positively – it just doesn't seem important to ask it. Whatever it is that makes appearance seem unimportant, that's what life needs to feel full of. When things do feel wobbly, smaller interventions might stop the scrutiny cycle. Delete the picture. Put a smiley sticker eye-level on the mirror. Something small that shorts the urge to fixate on appearance. When obsessive re-inquiring about looks is driven by low confidence elsewhere, more visual evidence won't sate it. You don't look at yourself, reach a verdict and stop the investigation. You go back to the mirror tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, as though things might have changed. It feels like a hunger but it shouldn't be fed. I bet there are people in your life who look at you the way you look at the women you love. The task, I think, is to join them.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Botched tummy lipo made my boobs triple in size due to a side effect – I'm not complaining as toy boys can't get enough
A WOMAN dubbed the claims her breasts got three sizes bigger after she had botched £7,382 liposuction on her stomach - and apparently, they are still growing. Elaina St James was happily sporting a DD-cup prior to her surgery, which targeted fat cells to give her a more toned appearance. 8 But the 58-year-old was stunned when she noticed an unexpected side effect. In the months following the 'botched' surgery – which left her stomach looking 'lumpy' - Elaina's chest inflated so much that the content creator was forced to overhaul her lingerie wardrobe to accommodate the changes. The cougar is now a 36G cup size - but this could increase further. 'I thought I was going crazy at first,' said Elaina, who boasts 430,000 Instagram followers @elainastjames. 'I asked my doctor if it was possible that the liposuction was causing my boobs to grow. 'I couldn't think what else it could be, as I hadn't made any major changes to my lifestyle. 'I was shocked when he immediately confirmed my suspicions. 'The doctor explained that when fat cells are removed during liposuction, sometimes the body compensates by kind of inflating them in other areas. 'Apparently, it's not that uncommon. 'I couldn't believe it. 'I was blessed with naturally large breasts, so it wasn't an area I had ever wanted to enhance. 'I had no idea this was even possible.' A 2007 study shared in the US' National Library of Medicine found that nearly half (48%) of participants reported an increase in their breast size following liposuction of the abdominal wall. Elaina, who hails from the Midwest but currently lives in North Carolina, opted to go under the knife after years of feeling self-conscious about her stomach. She said: 'I started out in this industry as an older woman, so I always had a 'mom bod' - but I just didn't feel comfortable being in front of the camera all of the time with my stomach out. 'Diet and exercise weren't making any difference in terms of toning it, so I started looking into liposuction.' Elaina explored different options before choosing to go with a large, national provider with 'great reviews'. But she felt dismayed with the finished look. A few months later, she looked at options to get the lipo revised. That's when she noticed the bizarre weight fluctuation to her chest. 8 8 8 Elaina said: 'I wasn't gaining weight anywhere else but I noticed my bras were becoming too tight. 'I had been wearing a DD cup size for years but suddenly they weren't fitting right. 'I was overflowing. 'I knew it was weird but I was so busy with moving and being a mom, that I didn't think too much about it.' More self-conscious than ever, once she was settled in her new home, Elaina paid another $10,000 to get liposuction with a second doctor in February 2025 - 16 months after her first procedure. This same physician confirmed that the first procedure had triggered her breasts to grow. Elaina said: 'They haven't stopped growing since. 'It's crazy. 'I now wear a 36G bra and with larger cup sizes you have to pay more for the brands that cater for them – so it's expensive having to get a whole new set. Do breasts get bigger after liposuction? Plastic & Aesthetic Surgeon Dr. Leonard Josipovic shared that it isn't uncommon for breasts to appear larger after lipo. It's not as strange as it sounds. When you have liposuction, fat cells in the treated area, such as the stomach, are permanently removed. But your body still has fat cells in other places. If you gain weight after the procedure, those remaining fat cells can grow larger. Since the treated area now has fewer fat cells, weight gain may show up more in other parts of the body like the back, upper arms, face or even the breasts. Breasts are made up of both glandular tissue and fat. The amount of glandular tissue is influenced by hormones, age and genetics, while the fat content can change depending on your overall body composition. So if someone gains weight after lipo, it's entirely possible that some of that fat gets stored in the breasts, making them look fuller. It's not that fat has physically moved from one place to another, it's just that your body now stores fat differently. Liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss treatment. If someone keeps their weight stable and sticks to a healthy lifestyle after surgery, fat won't suddenly shift to strange places. But if weight is gained, it will show up in areas that weren't treated - and that can include the breasts says Dr. Leonard Josipovic. 'It has cost me $450 to get new everyday bras that fit my new size. 'I'm hoping I don't grow much more, because it gets to a point when boobs become too big to manage.' While she isn't overly thrilled with the unexpected side effect, Elaina's new look has proved good for business. She said: 'It's not the worst thing in the world to have big boobs – especially in my line of work. 'Men love it. 8 8 'Some of my fans even spotted the increase before I did. 'Women's bodies fluctuate all the time, so it took a while for me to register the change. 'I started getting comments that my boobs looked bigger. 'I thought it was just because my stomach was thinner, giving the illusion of a larger chest – but they turned out to be right.' While Elaina values having a 'natural aesthetic', she is pleased with her new look – including the unexpected changes. She added: 'There's a lot of pressure to look good for women at every age and I'm all for it if you want to address insecurities. 'I remember getting comments saying I should do some sit-ups, put down the pizza or even go on Ozempic before having liposuction. 'I feel really confident in my body now and I'm embracing my new breasts too. 'Although I didn't intend to get a boob job, I'm definitely not complaining!' What are the risks of getting surgery abroad? IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad. It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks. Safety standards in different countries may not be as high. No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad. If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment. Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK. Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems. Source: NHS
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I travelled to Mexico for a second BBL but it left me in hospital fighting for my life - I'll regret it forever
An influencer has revealed the terrifying ordeal she went through after undergoing an 'extreme' second Brazilian butt lift (BBL) in Mexico which did not at all turn out as she hoped. The Texas-based content creator, who uses the handle @TheeHtxHottiee on TikTok as well as other platforms including Instagram and X. She regularly shares glam snaps and videos with her thousands of followers, but when it came to this surgery, she had a much more serious message to share. According to the 30-year-old, her latest cosmetic surgery journey turned into a nightmare, which left her fighting for her life. In addition, she says, the operation also left her with a bum that's too big. She is now sharing her story as a warning to others of the hidden dangers of medical tourism. The TikTokker told how she was left with multiple problems revolving around infections, which landed her in hospital - and how the result is more than she bargained for. 'I went for a tummy tuck and a BBL,' she said. 'My BBL is TOO big - and it nearly killed me. 'I was in surgery double the time that I was supposed to be. I lost so much blood that I had to get six blood transfusions.' As a result, the surgical enhancement turned life-threatening when complications spiralled out of control. What started as an attempt to create what she saw as her perfect figure with a second BBL ended in ongoing medical treatments. Following the botched operation, the influencer ended up having five emergency surgeries, including a painful skin graft. She shared some photos and clips via her social media accounts showing the dramatic results of what she now describes as an 'extreme BBL'. She calls it extreme as it is much larger result than what she originally hoped for. Making matters even worse, the language barrier in Mexico left her family in the dark during her hours-long operation. While her first BBL went smoothly, this second operation nearly cost her her life. Now, she's speaking out about the risks she went through to get her eye-catching figure. She said: 'When I got back to the US, I was admitted into the hospital for almost four months due to an infection in my bloodstream and an infection on the skin where my tummy tuck was closed. 'They had to take skin from my thighs and put it on my stomach. 'My mother and twin sister thought I was dead because I had been in surgery so long with no word. 'When I awoke, they were already driving down to Mexico. 'I wanted to be honest about what happened. People don't always see the dangerous side.' It comes after a New Zealand OnlyFans star has revealed more horrific details about a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure she had in Turkey that left her 'vomiting blood'. Kayla Jade, 30, who boasts 2.2 million TikTok followers and lives in Australia, said she was forced to get a revision surgery back in Australia a year after the botched job. She said the surgery didn't last because the fat taken from her back and inserted in her bottom went bad. 'They'd taken literal chunks out of my back, so [the Australian doctor] went and smoothed everything over,' she told 'The BBL didn't last because the fat wasn't taken care of when it was taken out of my body.' Kayla went into more detail about her 'horrific experience' earlier this month, telling her TikTok followers she 'almost died from her first BBL'. She said she was awake through the entire surgery and recalled lying on the operating table 'paralysed' while internally 'screaming' due to the pain. After the procedure, Kayla began 'vomiting blood' while 'fading in and out of consciousness' during the nightmarish ordeal. She also claimed she experienced sexual harassment during her time at the hospital. 'There were two nurses looking after me, and one of the nurses was getting me dressed to leave [after the surgery],' she said. 'And, as soon as [the female nurse] left the room, he immediately started touching me inappropriately while he was getting me dressed.' Kayla claimed he 'did it again' in the elevator as she was leaving the unnamed medical facility. The mother-of-two said the memory of the alleged incident only came back a month or two after Kayla's surgery. Kayla Jade, 30, who boasts 2.2 million TikTok followers and lives in Australia, said she was forced to get a revision surgery back in Australia a year after the botched job 'I was just sitting in my kitchen and I broke down crying because I remembered everything,' she said. 'It was like my body was in such shock from the surgery that it just blanked that out until I was ready enough to process [the incident].' The OnlyFans performer said she 'cheapened out' and flew to Turkey several years ago as part of an all-inclusive package that covered the costs of her flights, accommodation, and the butt lift surgery itself. 'I can be quite impulsive so I definitely rushed into it without thinking of the complications that the surgery may have had,' Kayla said. Kayla, who posts confessional videos of her experiences as an escort on TikTok, said she hoped her story would make young women 'think twice' about heavily discounted surgeries in medical tourism hotspots like Turkey. At the time, however, Kayla felt she'd done enough research after looking up the clinic, reading online reviews and going through 'before-and-after' photos posted on its website. She added she had been speaking with the doctor over WhatsApp and he told Kayla she was a 'great candidate' for a BBL after an initial consultation. While Kayla initially felt good about her decision, things veered off-course quite soon after she touched down in Turkey, as she recalled being unable to get a hold of her doctor. When she finally met him, she says the surgeon told Kayla she wouldn't get the results she wanted because she didn't have enough fat for a BBL. The cosmetic procedure is used to enhance the appearance of the patient's buttocks by making them bigger, more rounded, or lifted. A standard BBL involves removing fat from the hips, abdomen, or back with liposuction before injecting it back into the buttocks. 'I 100 per cent had enough fat for a BBL, like I'd purposely been gaining weight for the BBL,' Kayla countered. 'It's like he was trying to lower my expectations because he knew he was gonna cheap out and do a half-a***d job,' she added. Despite this, Kayla said she remained hopeful about the procedure - until she found herself lying awake on the operating table during the excruciatingly painful surgery. 'I remember I could hear nurses and the doctors talking and I couldn't move my body,' she recalled. 'I was paralysed, but I could just feel like tears running down my face because I was in so much pain. 'There was nothing I could do. I was just lying there in my head screaming, but I could just feel all the stuff that was happening. I guess they didn't give me enough anaesthetic,' Kayla said. After the allegedly botched procedure she was shaking uncontrollably and 'vomiting blood' because of the shock of the BBL. The post-op care was equally bad, Kayla alleged, as she revealed she was placed on her back immediately after the surgery - even though, patients who have undergone BBLs are advised to lie on their stomach for at least six weeks afterwards. After one day at the hospital, Kayla was asked to vacate the bed - despite the fact that she was still extremely fragile from the surgery and in and out of consciousness'. While she was in this vulnerable state, Kayla was allegedly molested by the male nurse while he was helping her get changed - as she claimed he touched her inappropriately on two occasions. 'Please don't cheapen out like what I did and end up in some crazy situation,' Kayla concluded.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
PlacidWay Fuels Global Boom in Plastic Surgery Tourism, Guiding Patients to World-Class Care
PlacidWay drives global plastic surgery tourism, linking patients to top surgeons abroad with quality care, savings, and personalized support. 'The demand for plastic surgery now crosses borders—people want the best care and value worldwide,' says Pramod Goel, CEO of PlacidWay. 'We're here to make that journey seamless and safe.'— Pramod Goel, Founder and CEO of PlacidWay Medical Tourism DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, June 24, 2025 / / -- The world of aesthetic enhancement is rapidly expanding, and PlacidWay, a global leader in medical tourism, is at the forefront. Today, the company announced a significant surge in plastic surgery tourism worldwide, driven by cutting-edge procedures, increasing affordability, and an ever-growing network of premier clinics. PlacidWay continues to solidify its position, seamlessly connecting patients globally with life-changing transformations. The global cosmetic surgery market is experiencing remarkable growth, valued at approximately $78.5 billion in 2024 and projected to soar to $186.8 billion by 2035, a robust CAGR of around 8.2%. This impressive expansion highlights a growing global desire for aesthetic refinement, from revitalizing facelifts and confidence-boosting breast augmentations to comprehensive 'mommy makeovers.' PlacidWay plays a pivotal role in this thriving industry. With an expansive presence in over 40 countries and partnerships with more than 250 plastic surgery clinics worldwide, we empower patients to access affordable, high-quality care without compromising on results. Our unparalleled resources and streamlined patient journeys make global aesthetic dreams a reality. 'The demand for plastic surgery is no longer confined by borders,' says Pramod Goel, Founder & CEO of PlacidWay. 'We're seeing an incredible shift as individuals prioritize their well-being and appearance, seeking out the best value and expertise globally. PlacidWay is committed to making this journey seamless and safe, providing comprehensive support and transparent information every step of the way.' Global Hotspots for Plastic Surgery Tourism Patients are increasingly looking beyond their local options to discover top-tier care and significant savings. Key emerging destinations leading this charge include: The Americas: Mexico remains a powerhouse, with cities like Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexicali, and Cancun attracting patients with their convenient proximity, world-class facilities, and competitive pricing. Colombia and the Dominican Republic are also rapidly gaining traction, renowned for highly skilled surgeons and excellent patient care. EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa): Turkey is famous for specialized procedures like hair transplants, while Dubai and Spain are prominent players, drawing patients with their advanced clinics, experienced specialists, and culturally rich recovery environments. Asia: South Korea stands as the undisputed global capital of cosmetic surgery, with 'K-beauty' innovations and highly specialized procedures driving an influx of patients. Thailand also shines, offering high-quality procedures such as gender reassignment surgery and many other affordable treatments within serene recovery settings. PlacidWay's success stems from its meticulous optimization of the patient's entire cosmetic surgery journey. The recently launched PlacidCare and PlacidTrack Apps further enhance this experience, bringing transparency and choices directly to consumers' fingertips. This dedication to a holistic and transparent process ensures patients feel supported and informed, from their initial quote request to their successful recovery. The growth in plastic surgery tourism isn't just about cost savings. It's about access to specialized techniques, reduced wait times, and the unique opportunity to combine recovery with a discreet, relaxing travel experience. As the world becomes increasingly connected, PlacidWay is committed to empowering individuals to achieve their aesthetic goals with confidence, safety, and unparalleled global access. About PlacidWay: PlacidWay is a leading global medical tourism platform, connecting patients with high-quality, affordable healthcare solutions worldwide. With a network of over 250 plastic surgery clinics in more than 40 countries, PlacidWay empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare journeys by offering transparency, multilingual support, and personalized guidance for a wide range of procedures. Pramod Goel PlacidWay Medical Tourism +1 888-296-6664 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Forgive me if I raise an eyebrow at Botox mania – it's because I still can
If, like me, you have watched agog, alarmed or just confused at the speed at which tweakments and cosmetic surgery have gone mainstream, then consider this minor piece of celebrity news. Earlier this month, Jennifer Garner became the latest A-lister to say that having Botox was a mistake. 'Botox doesn't work very well for me,' she told Harper's Bazaar. 'I like to be able to move my forehead.' She joins a growing list of high-profile women including Courteney Cox, Nicole Kidman, Ariana Grande, Cameron Diaz and more who have described quitting Botox, fillers or other injectables because of undesired results – namely looking 'weird' (direct quote from Diaz there), and losing the ability to make certain facial expressions. Which presumably, for people whose income is directly linked to their ability to make you feel stuff using their faces (also known as 'acting'), must be a serious setback. I'm no actor, but as someone plagued by a 'face that gives it away', I am delighted to hear it being said that facial expressions are, in fact, quite great. Beautiful. Powerful. Worth having in the round, even if there are downsides, like getting you in trouble at every karaoke night ('You look like Wallace smiling at Gromit,' said a friend of mine about my 'pretending to enjoy this!' face. ) Or in the case of the Hollywood set, looking a little older. ('You need movement in your face,' said Cox. 'Those aren't wrinkles, they're smile lines. I've had to learn to embrace movement.') I really do think this bears repeating: facial expressions are ace! Our superpowers, really. Remember how your parents just had 'a look' that said 'stop that right now'? Magic. And what about crow's feet? Surely, they're the ultimate lie detector: they only appear when you've really – properly – made someone laugh. How wonderful are these meek crevices that convey emotion as deep as the sea? Tiny but mighty. And they only get better over time. Grande agrees. 'I want to see my well-earned cry lines and smile lines,' she said in 2023. 'Ageing can be such a beautiful thing.' (Did I mention she was in her 20s then? I'd recommend a pillow if you need something to scream into.) Perhaps it is ridiculous to spell all this out. A bit obvious, maybe. But we would all miss facial expressions if they disappeared from our screens. Just ask Erika Jayne, one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who was caught up in a controversy when she broke down on TV about filing for divorce, mascara streaks running down her face. Fans said this was contrived, given she famously wears waterproof mascara, but when you can't move your face, what else can you do? A clever turn from the makeup artist, if you ask me. For clarity, none of this is to say that Botox and injectables are bad, even if the way we talk about them is. Our conversations are fraught, and any critical point about these products must be caveated with 'I ACCEPT OTHER WOMEN'S CHOICES' repeated at volume, lest you be accused of being a bad feminist. Or it descends into prudish hectoring of women for having a bit of fun or choosing to improve their prospects in an image-obsessed world which they did not create, but have to live in. But it is possible to defend women's rights to do whatever they choose with their bodies while also questioning this seismic cultural shift, ideally while giving side eye to the capitalist machine working to sell these treatments despite no one knowing the long-term impacts. (Though whether that side eye has had a hyaluronic acid filler to combat bags is irrelevant because WE ACCEPT OTHER WOMEN'S CHOICES.) But this is not about that. This is a simple love letter to the forehead crease. A paean to the smile line. Change is inevitable, as are some things being lost along the way. Can we imagine a world where every groove and crinkle being smoothed out is as standard – as basic – as combed hair and brushed teeth? It's not inconceivable. Nor is it inconceivable that, when the cost gets too high and the headspace too big, all of this falls away; no more than a passing trend, like getting a tattoo in Chinese. And maybe, just maybe, this all leads to a massive societal overhaul where some fabulous female revolutionaries overthrow The Man by thwarting facial recognition cameras by literally having the same face. Well, it could happen, though maybe I'm getting carried away. Who knows what the future holds and how quickly we will see it? For now, perhaps it's one to watch, to raise an eyebrow at or furrow our brow – and to enjoy doing it, while we still can. Coco Khan is a freelance writer and co-host of the politics podcast Pod Save the UK
