Date: Thu, 15 May 2003 10:30:21 -0400
From: Kit Mason <kit at hers.com>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: botox and the affluent
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Cathy Green wrote:
> I don't think the comparison between elective plastic
> surgery or botox and going to the gym is a fair one.
>
> I think there is a difference between a person who
> eats too much all the time, never exercises and
> resolves the fat problem via liposuction and a person
> who decides that the way to resolve the problem is not
> to eat to excess, to eat healthier and to exercise.
>
> also, for me the reason botox falls into the vanity
> and more money than sense category is because of what
> it is.  Would i prefer not to have the giant worry
> line on my forehead that I've had since the 10th
> grade?  sure.  Am I willing to inject a paralyzing
> poison into my body in order to do so?  No.

For you, no.  For a vice president of a corporation who has to look good
all the time -- and in some businesses, they do -- it may be a good
choice.  About half the botox recipients are men, by the way, because
the procedure can be done on the lunch hour.  That's a less-stressful
and less time-consuming alternative to a facelift, which is what I was
thinking of (as relevant to botox), rather than liposuction, which I
would consider a fairly serious surgical procedure.  Though, for some
people, who are physically unable to exercise but need to reduce weight
and have extremely slow metabolisms, it may well be at least a start
toward a healthier life and an alternative to such things as stomach
stapling, etc.

But it can all be seen as ways to maintain self-esteem by taking care of
one's body -- and a personal choice, nothing else.  ::shrug::  It's no
more "immoral" than the Hair Club for Men, Weight Watchers or anything
else.  Not everyone can afford either of those, or a gym membership.  I
can remember in the 70s when going to a gym or running or going to
exercise classes was considered exotic and a sign of vanity.

Kit