According to this article, Americans are opting for cosmetic surgery in record numbers:

When Phyllis Bradshaw's twin sons went off to college, she decided it was time to better herself. She started exercising, ate better, and began writing a novel. Then the Lewisville, Texas, ex-airline reservation agent went in for surgery to remove excess skin from her upper eyelids. She liked the results so much that she decided to have her neck and stomach done, too. "I'm not trying to look gorgeous, 20, Barbie," Bradshaw, 49, says. "I'm just trying to get rid of the things that are hanging." Her husband hated the idea, so she went to the bank and borrowed the $20,000 herself.

Tummy tucks? Face lifts? Nose jobs? How much are people willing to pay to look better? What kind of risks are they willing to take? Apparently, the answer on both counts is a lot.

Look, I know I'm not the best looking guy out there. When I walk into a club, women don't swivel around or poke their friends and point. I'm sure that some of these surgeries might make me look a little better. So why not do it?

First of all, there is the money factor. None of these surgeries are cheap and being a poor schoolteacher I have limited resources. Do I want to use the money I have for cosmetic appearance or for other things...a hot tub, a boat, a new car, savings, perhaps a cruise?

Then, I look in the mirror and say to myself, "this is who you are. God made Brad Pitt and used the leftover spare parts on you". However, I am blessed with a wonderful family, some good friends, a quick wit on occasion, a good job, and decent intelligence. I may not have it all, but I have more than many do.

The article documents the fact that all of these surgeries carry risk. You can end up deformed, maimed, or worse. For many it looks like they feel its worth the risk. I guess I just don't.

The only thing I've ever seriously considered is something to replace my hair. There is no way I'd every wear a hairpiece or toupee. I looked into hair transplant surgery rather seriously. The cost was high, but they promised a head full of hair! Hair!! I went bald on top in my mid twenties. Honestly speaking, its caused me a great deal of anxiety throughout my life. The male ego is a powerful thing, and I still sometimes fantasize about what it would be like to have hair again. I shaved the little ring around the back and sides a year ago, and I'm much happier totally bald. I guess it feels like I had a choice in the matter!

Maybe some day my ego will get the best of me and I'll have the surgery done. It would be nice to make a head swivel..just once.

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