Women's Views on Cosmetic Surgery | Asian American Poll

PLASTIC SURGERY
(Updated Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:39:10 AM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Assuming you are an Asian American woman, what is your attitude toward cosmetic surgery?
I would never consider undergoing it. | 42%
I might consider it in the future. | 27%
I am considering it. | 21%
I have had it performed. | 10%

Assuming you are an Asian woman willing to consider cosmetic surgery, which of the following procedures would you be most likely to consider?
Hip/thigh reduction | 4%
Breast augmentation | 33%
Reshaping the nose | 18%
Thinning the eyelids | 17%
Facelift | 8%
Removing skin irregularities | 20%

What is your attitude toward people who have had cosmetic surgery?
I have no particular feeling toward them. | 45%
I scorn them for being so vain and/or insecure. | 24%
I pity them for having the need to undergo it. | 23%
I envy them for being able to afford it. | 8%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

I think that you are all jealous of the beauty, success and self-esteem of Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell and Iman. They are very beautiful and have great personalities too. Get over it!
Supreme Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 03:07:55 (PDT)

All of the asian women I've had sex with have had great bodies. I've had some with implants and some without. But I must admit, I love breast implants, especially on an asian woman. I get an erection just from touching a nice full breast implant, but do not when touching a natural breast. I thought I'd add my two cents as a normal, healthy male so that if any of you asian women who are considering implants are reading this, you might take what I'm saying into consideration. I say go for it if your on the fence.
Steven btory99@yahoo.com Sunday, September 09, 2001 at 19:45:06 (PDT)

I think there is a combination of factors for Asians wanting to achieve more Western look.

1. Regardless of who's wealthy or not currently, there's no doubt that Western nations have led industrial revolutions, and were responsible for propogation of their culture through globilization. Although some Asian countires have mostly caught up or even surpassed their European counterparts in wealth and economy, Western people had the first mover's advantage is setting themselves up as the "modern" and the "standard", and the "ideal".

2. Second, about this whole big eye thing. Well, babies have big eyes relative to their faces, which we are very attracted to. Coincidentally, Caucasians have largers eyes than Asians relative to their faces. I don't think too many Asians are concerned with wanting to have "European look". They just want bigger eyes. And the only way to achieve that is through plastic surgery, and scoring eyelid to have double-eyelids, which most Caucasians happened to have, thus the bigger eyes.

Just my two cents.
expert wannabe Thursday, September 06, 2001 at 11:00:06 (PDT)

Dear Hello Kitty,

The remarks you made in your post have been the most rational and educated remarks ever made on this forum thus far. They are precise and to the point. I commend you for putting up your argument in a gentleman/lady like manner. Many of the comments on this forum lack the education and respect for others' personal opinions that you show. Most of them also abound on ignorance, half truths, and fabrications in order to give their misguided views some credence. Keep up the good work.

Asian truth seeker Wednesday, September 05, 2001 at 21:22:09 (PDT)

it's not that north asian(the majority of the ones who want surgery) women want western eyes....they want southeast asian eyes!!!

western eyes are more deep-set so it can't be what the surgeons are doing. Most outcome of the eye surgery looks a lot like S.E. Asian eyes.

QD askme@askme.com Wednesday, September 05, 2001 at 17:06:43 (PDT)

i think if you have the money go for it. it's just like aplying makeup, but permanent.
mina Wednesday, September 05, 2001 at 00:57:40 (PDT)

Lannie:

The reason people are against cosmetic surgery is because it's a form of deception. Any facial imperfection, or just certain types of facial features, tell others about our genetic makeup so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not they will want to pursue a more intimate relationship with us ( this mostly pertains to romantic relationships )

Think about it, if a guy had a huge, extremely ugly nose and he went ahead and got it fixed so he could feel confidant about himself. That's fair enough since he's not hurting anybody and it is his own body and he should be able to do what he wants with it. But if you met him after the operation and you had no idea what he naturally looked like ( as dictated by his genes, which we are all stuck with, even at this age ) and went out with him, when you would never have done otherwise. Next thing you know, you kids will come out pretty sorry-looking.

Of course I am not suggesting looks are the only determining factor in forming relationships or that we should choose mates based on looks so our offspring won't be ugly-looking. I just want to point out that we as human beings tend to be attracted to the good-looking ones and shun the ugly ones because physical appearances suggest the underlying genotype, which is extremely important in mate selecion; therefore I believe no one should be subjected to an eloberate lie carved out by knives.
Hello Kitty Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 14:08:25 (PDT)

This topic will be a never ending one because this is based purely on OPINION. No one can be right, or wrong in this debate, and you can only take in others ideas and hope that others will see eye to eye with your opinion also, but why do we bicker about this so much?
I personally feel that it is every person's right to do whatever they want to it. I don't always agree, but if they feel they are to change themselves, they can. Isn't it that everyone emphasizes on the fact that 'its what is inside that counts'? Plastic sugery has become connected with the stigma of being fake. I totally disagree to that! Let me add that I have had it done, and no one can tell. It was something I had to do, but yet, no one treats me differently or am I any different, maybe except for the fact I am more confident now. Everyone has insecurities, and I dealt with mine. I didn't HAVE to get it done, I was given the opportunity and I took it up. I used to be extremely against it, but now that I've had it done, I don't see why people strike at it so much. If anything, I believe I have become a better more confident person. So if you'd like me to answer any questions you have about why I had this done, go ahead ask. I do understand why some people disagree with it. I can only hope I can help clear up anything about why I had it done and why CS isn't the worst thing in the world.
Lannie Thursday, August 30, 2001 at 14:23:44 (PDT)

I stumbled upon this website today while I was searching for resources regrading teenage "self-hating" and "poor self-esteem". It has come to my attention for the first time about how tragic it is indeed the situation in which Asian are so self-hating, race-denying, and lacking self esteem. I have never seen anything so depressing in my life. I am a Caucasian woman and it never crossed my mind how deep the stigma of being Asian was for Asians. This site's aim, I assume, is to promote understanding and encourage debates of issues relating to Asian Americans, and yet is seems as though every post on this forum has no other purpose than to complain about how they are not happy being Asian, and why they are Asian, and why Asian men are no good, and why Asian women are no good, and why Asian features are ugly, and why Asian eyes are supposed to be changed to a more Caucasian look, and what can be done to make you look less Asian, etc, etc, etc. Get a grip!!! Don't get me wrong, I support the Asian community 100% and it disgusts me to see how an entire race is so low in self esteem. YOU are a great people, do you really need to be told this by a person of another race to believe it for yourselves? The Asian race has contributed immensely to the worlds rich cultural heritage and you seem to forget this. Never have i come across a place where Asians are putting each other down so much about who they are and where they come from. This hurt obviously runs deep. But what i don’t understand i why these issues aren’t such an important issue for other races, such as African Americans, who suffered under slavery, THEY OVERCAME BY SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. Latinos and the ongoing discrimination against them. THEY ARE OVERCOMING BY SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER. But here I see asians bickering, loathing and hissing at each other becasue they are asian. YOU ARE THE LARGEST RACE ON EARTH. I don't think the problem is that Caucasians think they are superior to Asians. I think the problem is that Asians think Caucasians are more superior than Asians. Be proud of who you are. Never let anyone tell you anything less of yourselves, and most importantly, don’t beieve yourself when you think that you are less of a human being.

From a fellow Human Being Wednesday, August 29, 2001 at 23:30:56 (PDT)

Who cares. It's your body, do what you want to do with it.
Mr. Fabulous Monday, August 27, 2001 at 20:49:16 (PDT)

I have a question I've wondered about for a long time.You always hear about how some Asians either want to have cosmetic surgery or have had cosmetic surgery (eyes, for example) to make them appear more "western".What about the other way around? Are there Caucasians,(or even Hapas) for example, who want, and get eyelid surgery and/or whatever else to make them look Asian, or Asian-like?
This is a serious question. I reaqlly want to know if this is done;I have always felt that Asians have the most beautiful faces of all peoples and why anyone would want to alter these features is totally beyond me...

Wondering Wednesday, August 22, 2001 at 00:29:57 (PDT)

Filipina Mom,
I am half filipina/half mexican. I understand the struggles your daughter is dealing with, however not to the extent that you speak of. I was at one time ashamed of my dark skin and mixed features, but it was my parents who made the difference in my life. I was battling with an eating disorder, told my parents, and they brought my to a counselor to help me deal with my deep rooted insecurities. I am 23 now, and have come a long way. I love how unique I look, but that confidence came to me after a loooong time. Be patient with your daughter. Remind her how BEAUTIFUL she is, and how rich her culture is. Continue to show her pictures of women who look like her. Try to get her involved in the FIlipino community, where she can meet others who deal with the same issues. Is her father around? Let him know as well, it means a lot to a young woman to hear her father tell her she is pretty.

Proud Pinay Latina Tuesday, August 21, 2001 at 14:43:00 (PDT)

you call yourself a "true philosopher?"how dare you!!!!why the hell would anyone envy a walking corpse loaded with plastic and silicone? you've obviously had plastic surgery or are considering it since you're defending it.who the f**k are you to determine who should die when?and what do you consider "ugly" and "goodlooking"?everyone has different ideas of what is beautiful.do you personally know for a fact that so-called "ugly people"are ashamed of themselves and have no social life?hell no,you don't!!shut your mouth and keep your ignorance to yourself.
angryhappyone Monday, August 20, 2001 at 22:31:11 (PDT)

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