Hello, fabulous Beauty Chat readers! Along with being an editor/contributor to this wonderful site, I am also an editor and writer for iEnhance.com (another website in our network). Many of those who are considering cosmetic plastic surgery often look to personal accounts when researching their procedures, which is why we would love to hear from you. We are constantly looking for inspiring stories from real people just like you who have had an enhancement procedure – cosmetic plastic surgery, skin care treatment, or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Here are a couple of examples of some recent stories: Jana’s Story and Elease’s Story.

If you would like to share your experience with a procedure you underwent, please feel free to contact me!

Most women dream about their wedding day from a very early age… They  plan out every detail of the event, from the dress to the food to the honeymoon location. Not surprisingly,  brides-to-be  head to their local gym before their big day in an  These all sound pretty standard, right? Well, here’s a new trend – plastic surgery to be  for  the “perfect bride.”

From breast augmentation to nose surgery, many of today’s brides are seeking more dramatic enhancements. And now there’s a new show that will be focused on this emerging generation of brides, “Bridalplasty” on E! Starting November 28th, a group of 12 women will be competing to win free cosmetic plastic surgery procedures and other wedding prizes. 

So it goes like this: Before they can start their competition, each bride meets  with Dr. Terry Dubrow – who was also the go-to doctor on “The Swan” – to go over her personalized wish list of procedures.

After their consultation,  they will  have a better idea of what their new body could look like if they win.

In addition to their new look, the lucky bride who wins it all will also get the wedding of her dreams. Here is where the twist comes in – the bride will finally reveal her new look to the groom at the wedding. And don’t worry, the big unveiling will all be caught on camera for our viewing pleasure.

Will you be tuning to watch these brides battle it out for a new appearance and dream wedding?

Photo Credit: She Radiance

On Monday, August 16^th, well-known Hollywood plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan died in a car accident. It has been rumored that the famous doctor was tweeting while driving when his automobile turned off the highway. Dr. Ryan was most recently in the spotlight when Heidi Montag emerged with a new face and body – the celebrity plastic surgeon performed 10 procedures in one day.

As Hollywood mourns the death of Dr. Ryan, patients who relied on his expertise, such as Heidi, may need to search for another surgeon. There have been claims that she suffers from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which is what led to the multiple procedures she had done in November of last year. Should she wish to undergo further cosmetic enhancements, a surgeon with experience in treating patients with BDD would be the best option. As many celebrities have spoken out on Dr. Ryan’s caring bedside manner and compassion to his patients, he will be greatly missed by many.

Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com

In case you haven’t heard, “The Hills” star Heidi Montag underwent 10 cosmetic surgery procedures in one day back in November 2009.

This would be the second round of face and body enhancing surgeries she’s had in the last few years; she previously had a nose surgery performed and breast implants surgery.

In today’s world, it’s not something new to see a celebrity, or reality star, have a few nips here and tucks there. But when does it become an addiction and no longer a little tune-up?

Joan Rivers, Cher, Jocelyn Wildenstein, and Mickey Rourke are just some of the Hollywood stars who are known for their ever-changing looks. Now, the female half of “Speidi” seems to be the newest member of the plastic surgery addicts club.

And what exactly did Montag undergo? Well, here’s the laundry list of surgeries:

•    Botox injections
•    Mini brow lift
•    Nose surgery revision
•    Fat injections to cheeks and lips
•    Chin reduction
•    Liposuction to her neck
•    Ears pinned back
•    Buttocks augmentation
•    Liposuction to waist, thighs
•    Breast augmentation revision

The reality star and wannabe pop singer has been quoted saying that, “For the past three years, I’ve thought about what to have done…I’m beyond obsessed.” At only 23 years of age, Montag has had more procedures than an any of us can even think of! However, to be honest, her “new” look is attractive, but her “old” look was just as appealing and didn’t really need the work done. Had she done these procedures over an extended period of time there may not have been such a dramatic change. Whereas now, Mrs. Pratt is unrecognizable.

What do you all think? Did she succeed in achieving “the best me” with these surgeries?

Photo Credit: People and Examiner.com

If you enjoy sharing the knowledge, or learning about “seriously safe and satisfying nail polish,” self-help tips, and how the right shade of lipstick can truly turn your day around; plastic surgery forums are another place where you can blab about beauty.

Sure, the PlasticSurgery.com community may revolve more around plastic surgeries, such as breast implant surgery and nose jobs, as well as youth-defying procedures like Botox injections and the mini facelift, but doesn’t mean that these topics are stand-alone. One of the reasons why Beauty Chat was created, as you pretty much already know, is to bridge the gap between all that makes us “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!”

A plastic surgery forum is just another one of our stops, where you can relax and kick up your feet. And you’ll notice that some of us Beauty Chatters like to chit-chat from topic to topic in the forums as well…See ya there!

Photo credit: Plastic Sergeant

As National Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Beauty Chat and PlasticSurgery.com want to show our readers that we have had the Think Pink attitude all month long (and will continue to do so beyond the month of October!). Although there are many of us around the office who revel in all products, treatments, and procedures that are designed to enhance a woman’s outer beauty; this month, more than ever, we realize that outer beauty isn’t as important as being healthy and beautiful on the inside. 

  (PlasticSurgery.com gathers to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)

And with various celebrities and public figures voicing their own personal stories with battling breast cancer, including Sheryl Crow, Christina Applegate, and Melissa Etheridge, women are becoming even more inspired to fight their own battle.

So be sure to regularly check your breasts and understand the importance of early detection. You can gather important information from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. If you or a loved one is considering breast reconstruction, now may be a great time to learn about saline and silicone gel breast implants.

So from all of us to you: Think Pink!

It is commonly assumed that men want to date or marry the “perfect woman” one day. But what exactly does “perfect” mean? When talking about appearance, many think tall, thin, blond, blue eyes, pouty lips, perky breasts, and a toned tush. But then you step into the real world and learn that it’s actually really hard to find this “perfect woman” without her undergoing some kind of plastic surgery.

Not to burst anyone’s bubble, but perfection is pretty tricky and nearly impossible. Everyone has his/her own definition of the word, and it’s rare to find two people with the same one. If you think that a certain man is just perfect and then tell your friend, chances are that she won’t agree. The same thing happens to guys, too.

Nowadays, it’s not unusual to come across someone who has undergone some type of cosmetic procedure, whether it is a major surgery like breast augmentation or a less invasive treatment such as facial fillers. It’s no longer considered something to hide, and those that do proceed with an enhancement are talking about it more openly. But does that mean that everyone is comfortable listening to those that talk about it? Not really. In fact, many men prefer the natural look over the “perfect” one.

I recently read an article about the way men embrace a woman’s so-called “imperfections” because they make her unique. Some even go so far as to end a relationship when the truth comes out about their procedures. Therefore, that bump on your nose or the way your ears stick out a little could be the very thing that your guy loves most about you. As one of my co-workers said, “Wrinkles add spice. A super smooth face feels like I’m dating a 10 year old.”

Remember that everyone has a different definition of perfection (mine would be Matthew McConaughey  ), so don’t let someone else’s definition influence your own. Before you head over to your local plastic surgeon, make sure you’re going in for you and not to please anyone else. In the end, you’re the one that has to live with that change forever…or at least until the collagen wears off.

Photo credits: Los Angeles Times Blogs and PlasticSurgery.com

Ask any woman and she’ll tell you there are some areas of her body she’s not too fond of. Be it breasts that she wants augmented, cellulite she hopes would disappear, and so on and so forth. This is precisely why plastic surgery is so popular. However, what if you want instant results — minus surgical assistance?

Well, if you’re looking for a rounder rear without butt implants, you’ll love Booty Pop Panties. Available at the famed Los Angeles boutique Kitson, these undergarments are perfect for adding a little extra volume to an undefined backside.

At $28 a pair, and available in seven different colors, Booty Pop Panties are your ticket to a Kim Kardashian-like butt! If you don’t live in the LA area, no worries…order yourself a pair online.

Photo credit: Kitson

Pear-shaped, hourglass, triangular, and boyish. We’ve all heard these terms, either directed at us personally or at someone passing by. Well, now that we’ve figured out that sizes vary from brand to brand, we can work on dressing for our shape. Not every size 4 is the same shape and, we must therefore search for clothes that flatter our best features.

For those of us that are content with certain areas of our bodies, we already know what to look for because we know what looks good. For example, I know that my shape is pretty unique. I’m more of an upside triangle, a little bigger on top and virtually no curves on the lower half. Knowing that my…ummmm…top is in good shape, I look for clothes to compliment that. While I don’t wear ultra low-cut shirts, I do wear things that flatter me. I also recognize the fact that my backside is like a two-by-four. I try to look for jeans that give a little lift in order to give the illusion of a curvier behind without the need for butt implants.

Here are a few simple tips to wear what best complements your unique shape:

• Pear-Shaped (small breasts with a large backside)- Flatter your slender shoulders with some strappy camis, halter dresses and other tops with thin straps. To take the focus off your larger assets, wear flowing skirts and dresses.
• Hourglass (large breasts, small waist, and wide hips)- You’ve got a shape to die for! Accent your curves with wrap-around dresses, pencil skirts, corset tops, and V-neck blouses.
• Triangular (large breasts, small waist, and small hips)- For us ladies lacking in the rear department, I suggest jeans that will lift and hold, and semi-form fitting dresses. Find a dress that is cinched at the waist in order to add more curves.
• Boyish (small breasts, waist, hips, and lacking curves)- Don’t rush out for a breast augmentation! Instead, look for broad straps and add a belt to define your waist. Cropped jackets and hip-hugging jeans also add the illusion of curves.

Don’t let your shape get in the way of finding some great outfits. There’s something out there for everyone in every shape. Wear what makes you feel feminine and look outstanding! Accentuate your womanly curves; those you have and those you’re giving the illusion you have.

Photo Credit: Body Shapes: Flicker and SATC cast: US Magazine

(Angelina Jolie ~ before and after)

I think it’s pretty much safe to say yes, celebrities still heavily influence the growth and popularity of plastic surgery trends. In addition, Reality TV such as Dr. 90210 has played a major role in the public seeing firsthand the “reality” behind plastic surgery; and for many people, this has inspired them to go forward and undergo some sort of improvement.

(Paris Hilton ~ before and after)

(Paula Adbul ~ before and after)

Also editor of PlasticSurgery.com and iEnhance.com, I have spoken to several plastic surgeons throughout the country about their patients and the initial consultation sitting. Yes, interviewing doctors regarding various topics, from saline vs. silicone gel breast implants to butt enhancement surgery, has been part of busy job here. And during my phone interviews, I’ve learned just how common it is for a man or woman (more often it seems to be the female patients) to bring in pictures of the celebrity they wish to emulate – somehow. Whether it is Angelina Jolie’s lips, Jennifer Lopez’ butt, or Hale Berry’s breasts – these cosmetic and plastic surgeons have heard it all. Naturally, that gets me thinking about the trends and statistics in plastic surgery – both non-surgical and surgical procedures. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), here are some 2007 stats:

The most popular surgical procedures among men in 2007 were:

• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Nose surgery
• Breast reduction (to treat enlarged male breasts)
• Hair transplantation

The most popular surgical procedures among women in 2007 were:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Eyelid surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Breast reduction

(Fergie ~ before and after)

(Rihanna ~ before and after)

Oh, and did I mention that Americans spent just under $13.2 BILLION on cosmetic plastic surgery alone last year? While critics may deem Americans superficial, those of us who work very closely to this field tend to share the similar point of view, which is rooted in the philosophy behind Beauty Chat: “Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak On It!”

(Matt Dillon ~ before and after)

(Bruce Jenner ~ before and after)

It’s all a matter of taste, preference, and influence. That’s why I thought it would be fun to post some before and after plastic surgery photos of celebrities.

Now, I’ve got a question for you, which of your favorite stars has the most natural-looking plastic surgery results? I have my fave (Gwen Stefani), but I want to know yours too!

Photo Credit: We found them all on Google images