Women's Views on Cosmetic Surgery | Asian American Poll

PLASTIC SURGERY
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:10:41 PM 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.]

Hiya Strawberry,

Did Middleton say to me that he did those girl's eyes? Gee, no. Didn't he to you? I'll ask him when I see him again. I still can turn back from this if I get this uneasy-but-can't-express-myself feeling about the procedure. I'm still going to see him, everyone, and get some answers from him; I'll keep you all posted. Can you tell the link to Dr. Wong's website? I'd like to look into it.

I can understand why some people still oppose to cosmetic surgery and say that you're faking the way you look. I admit I still feel a bit "iffy" about it myself. But I choose to do it and you can't really change how a person thinks or feels when they've decided on something. I dunno, I guess some people can't help it.
I could see why changing your features can take away the one thing that's yours only- your uniqueness. Gosh, I could mention a lot of pros and cons about it, but in my opinion, I want to have the surgery to improve my appearance more or less, and to correct a problem that may be become a problem in the future. Like, the skin sagging or hanging over my eyes. I don't like the feeling of that.
Linoa Monday, October 07, 2002 at 09:15:12 (PDT) [24.150.138.69]

Linoa, I forgot to mention again...you said that those three photos Dr. Middleton showed you are done by him right? Did he actually say he did those girls' eyes? I was wondering cause I was thinking that maybe he didn't even do their eyes. Cause in the photos, all their eyes creases are not attached to the inner part of the eye and i specifically told him i don't want it attached, just like the photos. And next thing you know, he does my eyes attached. So i thought that maybe those examples weren't even done by him.
Strawberry Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 21:43:54 (PDT) [4.40.145.255]

Linoa,
If you go through the surgery with Middleton which i hope you don't, I wish you the best. The only other surgeon i know in Toronto is Dr. Wong. I'm sure you've seen his website. I'm sure he does way more asian eyelid surgeries...but i heard he was rude too.
Around this time next year i'm gonna get a correction by Dr. Chen if i have to. I really trust that he'll know exactly what he's doing...just go on his website and you'll know what i'm talking about. The only question is whether he's an ass or not. But even if he is, i want him to fix my eyes. My left eye isn't so bad but if i go to him to fix my right eye then i might as well get the left one done too. I'd like that eye crease more longer and not so tapered down at the outside of the eye.
My sister in law's husband's uncle is a korean plastic surgeon in L.A. and specializes in asian eyelid surgery also. He did my sister in law's husband's sisters. I've seen them and their eyes look great. I didn't get it done by him in the first place cause i wanted to recuperate at my parent's house in Toronto. But i can't think about regrets now. The only thing i can do is wait and see, and if things don't get better, then next year, sometime after May i want to redo it. Cause my sister's wedding is in May.
About saying something to Dr. M...i was thinking of sending him a card that is lovely and sweet on the cover but when he opens it, inside is written YOU SUCK! in big letters.
It pisses me off cause i should've been smart enough to say ok when he said that i was being too picky and that he can refund me my money and send me home...this was minutes before my surgery. That is totally rude and unprofessional. He basically did my eyes the way he wanted it, not how i wanted it.
Linoa, i really hope you don't go get it done by him, but maybe your results will be better than mine.
Keep us posted on what you decide and when you're gonna do it. Goodluck!
Strawberry Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 21:36:48 (PDT) [4.40.145.255]

Linoa-
does anyone know any patients who have seen dr. chen in CA. anyone been to him?
just logged in Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 21:29:37 (PDT) [68.20.211.187]

[We've omitted your attack of "Dr X" based on unspecified hearsay. Only first-person accounts of specific results will be allowed to cast aspersions a named doctor's competence. --Ed]

i can see,

a friend.. of my friend who had it done lost her night vision after her laser eye surgery. in extreme cases you won't even be able to drive in the late evenings.. i don't know if that happens to everyone, but do a lot of research!! it's your vision you're talking about!
good luck Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 15:38:42 (PDT) [65.95.213.39]

Personally, I would never do it, even though I'd fancy it. I was born with this face, so why not be happy with it? I have one eye that is "folded" and the other is not. Of course I have imagined what it'd be like if both my eyelids were even, but that's just part of what makes me...me.

So why change it? Gives me character!
short asian girl Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 04:25:05 (PDT) [65.184.91.9]

Can any of you who know, please tell me any knowledge of permanent or future side effects of laser eye surgery?

I am getting mine done next week.

I heard some say that it may cause total blindness 10 years down the line?

Will we stay be able to have children after laser eye surgery?
I can see Sunday, October 06, 2002 at 00:42:17 (PDT) [130.182.129.147]

Strawberry, sorry I forgot to answer your last question. He only showed me before and after pics of only the three asian girls he has done in the pamphlets, so far. I haven't seen any recent ones. Hmrph! I'm going to fire up some questions when I see him again.
If anyone plans to have the eyelid surgery, ask your surgeon if they know how to perform the DST (Double Suture Twisting) method that doesn't require much cutting of the eyelids. That is, if you prefer the non-incisional method.
http://www.beverlystyle.com/news.htm

Or ask your surgeon if they can perform the Levator-Orbicularis technique.
http://www.jparkmd.com/asian/times.html

I should have mention something about this earlier. Sorry. Most cosmestic surgeons should be perfecting their traditional techniques by now.
Linoa Saturday, October 05, 2002 at 11:54:12 (PDT) [24.150.138.69]

My view is simple. IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT.

There are many naturally beautiful Korean and Japanese actresses who have made themselves into "Michael Jackson" look alikes through plastic surgery.

It doesn't look natural in them, no matter how good the surgery turned out to be.
back to my senses Friday, October 04, 2002 at 23:55:24 (PDT) [64.130.235.33]

Hi Strawberry:

Hearing about your experience does makes me feel edgey. But I'm still going to have the surgery just b/c I don't know any other surgeons in Ontario. Does anyone know any other surgeons? I would have like to have my eyes done by someone who knows the whole anatomy of the asian eyes. An asian surgeon, of course. I read about this article and I was interested in it:

http://www.jparkmd.com/asian/times.html

This new technique helps reduce the relapse of the crease. I'm sure many asian surgeons use this technique. I wouldn't be surprised if they did- they know better 'bout asian eyes. Strawberry, I don't want to thank you for going through that horrible experience. Really, you didn't deserve to go through all that if you were going end up w/ low-end results. I dunno. Wait and see if your eyes will settle or not like you said. Again, good luck to you.
I'm still gonna do it though. Is there anything you'd like me to say to Middleton when I see him again? When I walk into that house I'll try to scare him a bit. Maybe I'll tell him that I was chosen to write an article about him and the surgery experience for a popular magazine. And maybe he'll try to do a better job so he doesn't lose face. "Do your best As there's no Infinity to" Strawberry!
Linoa Friday, October 04, 2002 at 19:55:34 (PDT) [24.150.138.69]

Linoa,
I'm from St.Catharines too and I have a consultation for a rhinoplasty with Dr. Wong (in Mississauga) on the 28th.
Let me know which doctor you finally choose b/c I'm not that sure about Dr.Wong yet. I wouldn't go to Middleton, after Strawberry's unfortunate experience.
I would just like to know which surgeons in Ontario are great/experienced with asian surgeries.
MT Friday, October 04, 2002 at 15:19:54 (PDT) [216.221.81.97]

Linoa,
I forgot to mention that during the surgery you are totally asleep...not half asleep like i've read on other webpages so that you can assist the doctor by opening and shutting your eyes. First I went in the operating room...lay down on the table which is semi comfortable. Then they put a gas mask over your nose and mouth...it's suppose to make you kindof high i guess. Then they put an IV in the back of your hand. I complained of having a bad headache from the gas mask...then my body just totally relaxed, my eyes couldn't open anymore and couldn't speak...then few seconds later i was totally asleep.
Next thing i knew, i'm awake on this gurney bed and there is a nurse there. My eyes are all gummy and can only open my eyes a little. And the worst nauseating feeling. No pain at all though, just total nausea.
So up til now i have no clue if he did the obicularis levator technique.
I haven't called their office since i've been back here in the U.S. I feel like what's the point of calling him anyway? Even if he offered to fix my eyes for free i wouldn't go to him ever again cause I don't trust him at all anymore. The day of my surgery i was waiting in this room by myself for about 2 hours. I was feeling like what am i doing here? it just felt like a bad feeling. Not about getting it done, but about getting it done by Dr. Middleton. Then when he shows up, he is rude, rushed and just a total jerk. But me being stupid went ahead and got it done anyway by him cause i was too anxious to have it done.
I would rather go to California and have Dr. Chen fix it next year if i have to...have you seen his site?
Good luck!
P.S. During my consultation he didn't have any samples to show me of before and afters he done...did he show you any?
Strawberry Thursday, October 03, 2002 at 23:47:45 (PDT) [4.40.145.255]

Linoa and MT,

It has been 2 months since my surgery so i know it hasn't reached it's final stage yet in healing. It usually takes 3 to 6 months to heal. My left eye is not that bad, the crease line is starting to define itself more. (Dr. Middleton said that it'll take a couple of months or more for the crease line to deepen) But the right eye is what i'm really concerned about. The crease starts in the inner part of the eye, after a millimeter it becomes like a raised line that is about a centimeter, then it continues the line...and also the line extends too long downwards, like it tapers. I can't really explain it but it doesn't look good. But it is not that bad that people will take notice. But after a year if it's not better then i really want to get it corrected by Dr. Chen in LA. Every three patients that go see him, at least one is to get a correction. He solely does eyelid surgeries and has written books about it...he's the founder of the Asian Eyelid Center. I wish i went to him in the first place.
But anyway, Dr. Middleton didn't give me a chance to ask questions, plus i blew up a photo of a before and after of another girl's eyes that i liked and he didn't even look at it...i just thought he was so experienced or good that he knew exactly how i wanted it so i went ahead anyway.
Yeah my sister got her nose done by Middleton but she said that the first time she got it done it didn't look good cause it was sticking out a little on her nose bridge area on the side and she had to go get it corrected ...he charged $500 for nurses' fees. He fixed it a month after the first surgery he did for her which was like $4000 i think, and the results were excellent the second time. So i'm not sure why my sister recommended him so much but she said that she really trusts him in doing a good job eventhough he screwed up the first time. And she really loves her new nose. I will not ever trust to go to him again to correct anything even if it's free. I don't want to see his face again. I didn't mention that right before my surgery Dr. Middleton was drawing on my lids with a marker and asked how i wanted it done again...and i showed him a photo of one of his samples and told him that i don't want the line so low like hers on a certain area and he said that i'm being too picky and will refund my money and send me home if i want to. I swear to God! He is an ASS! But I really wanted my eyes done that time cause that was my vacation time and if i didn't do it i'd have to wait til the next year. So i went ahead with it. Which i regret. I hate him so much!
Well, I don't recommend him at all. I thought i was researching on this subject enough before i did it but i didn't even ask him about the obicularis-levator technique. I thought of it after i got it done, like weeks later. I bet you he didn't even do it that way...i really don't think he knew what the hell he was doing but he claimed that he does alot of asian eyes...yeah right.
Anyway, goodluck to the both of you. I'll let you know more about how my eyes are doing as time passes.
Strawberry Thursday, October 03, 2002 at 15:39:07 (PDT) [4.40.145.255]

Strawberry,
I'm sorry your surgery didn't turn out well. But is it still too early??, maybe your eyes haven't reached their full final results yet. But your sister was happy with her result from Middleton.

Your experience is making me nervous about me getting surgery. I still want my nose done but I really can't decide by who..Dr. Joseph Wong, or Dr. Robert Stubbs, but definately NOT middleton.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Take care.
MT Wednesday, October 02, 2002 at 17:51:57 (PDT) [216.221.81.97]

just wondering:
"My dentist thought I should get jaw surgery also to re-align my teeth, but I'm afraid it would hurt. Was it very painful? How much did it cost?"

The surgery and post-surgery do not hurt at all. After the surgery, you will take painkillers. However, you will not be able to eat solid foods for 3 - 6 months after the surgery. You will have to take 2 - 4 weeks off work or school. I lost almost 30 lbs in the months following the surgery. Most people lose more weight than I did.

In Southern California, the surgery costs around $10,000 - $15,000 if you pay out of your pockets. However, if you do your research thoroughly, you will find few HMOs, like Kaiser Permanente, that covers the entire cost. That are tricks to get HMO paying for the surgery and getting a very good surgeon to perform your operation. You just have to be really smart about it. You should look for orthodontists who have experience in working with orthognatic surgery covered by HMO.
T'K Chang t_k_chang@yahoo.com Wednesday, October 02, 2002 at 12:01:43 (PDT) [207.167.96.64]

Strawberry:

I feel ya. I see, you must be extremely dissappointed w/ the results. Dang, I'm planning on scheduling a surgery date in November w/ Dr. Middleton. I almost got the funding to finance the surgery. I live in St. Catharines so it's only one and a half hour drive to Toronto. I'm starting to have 2nd doubts now, myself. The doctor was so rushed w/ me and I didn't seem convinced at all about his expertise. How does Middleton perform the procedure? What's the technique called? My goal is to have the eyelids done in a way that it won't relapse to the single lid over the years. I hope it's not an old technique. If it's not the obicularis-levator technique then I'll search for another surgeon. Good luck Strawberry! I hope you find something that'll work out for you.
Linoa Wednesday, October 02, 2002 at 11:57:54 (PDT) [24.150.138.69]

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