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With increasing availability of aesthetic plastic surgery, ongoing improvement and refinements in procedures, and numerous payment plans available, some of these wishes are coming true. But do the celebrity images that overwhelm popular media have any influence on the decisions people make about their plastic surgery?
The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the world’s leading authority in the field, recently asked surgeons: What Influences Do Celebrities Have on the Decisions Patients Make?
The survey was sent to over 20,000 plastic surgeons in 84 countries. Surgeons were asked to connect celebrity names with eleven popular procedures for both men and women. The findings of this non-scientific, anecdotal questionnaire revealed fascinating trends. As the Society’s President, Dr. Bryan Mendelson of Melbourne, Australia observed in a recent interview, “What we learned from this survey underscores the Society’s on-going international efforts in continuing public education about how to
choose the right plastic surgeon. People need to research a surgeon’s training, experience and affiliations so they can make informed decisions and know what to reasonably expect from plastic surgery as well as non-invasive procedures.”
If there was any doubt that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are the world’s number one celebrity couple, the ISAPS Survey puts those doubts to rest. Jolie and Pitt’s names came up more often and for more body areas than virtually any other individuals. There were also numerous local celebrities who influenced some choices and a number of references to more classic beauties, leading among them Sophia Loren followed by Elizabeth Taylor.
The Survey was included in the electronic version of the Society’s newsletter, ISAPS News, published three times a year in partnership with Quality Medical Publishing, the world’s leading publisher of
plastic surgery books, media and online education.
THE WOMEN
Breasts and lips were the leading categories for celebrity choices by women followed by buttocks, nose and abdomen. The categories are listed in order of popularity.
Breasts - The clear choice for breast look-alikes was Pamela Anderson, followed by Brazilian beauty Gisele Bundchen, American pop princess Britney Spears and Xuxa, a popular Brazilian entertainer. Interestingly, this question elicited negative comments from surgeons expressing their patients’ opinions. A significant percentage of responding doctors reported that women often mentioned celebrities they did not want to look like. Pamela Anderson also led this group, followed by Dolly Parton and Victoria Beckham.
Lips - Angelina Jolie was the overwhelming leader as the lips of choice or women undergoing this procedure. The alternate reference for lips was Julia Roberts.
Buttocks - The leading choice was Jennifer Lopez - by a huge ercentage. Other choices included Juliana Paes of Brazil, and Americans Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock.
Nose - There was no doubt that Nicole Kidman’s nose was a clear favorite for women around the world. Secondary choices included Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Xuxa, and in a nod to classicism, Grace Kelly and Tasmanian born Princess Mary of Denmark.
Abdomen - In some cultures, revealing midriffs is a fashion statement. The favorite choice among women around the world is Giselle Bundchen, followed closely by Shakira, Demi Moore, Britney Spears (early in her career), and Thalia (Mexico).
Eyes - Angelina Jolie was the clear favorite in this category. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Demi Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer and Salma Hayek were also prominent. And, proving that cinematic beauty is eternal, there were numerous references to Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Catherine Deneuve and Greta Garbo.
Cheeks - The woman most often referenced was Sophia Loren, followed by Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Marilyn Monroe.
Legs - There was a three-way tie in this category: Tina Turner, Sharon Stone and Cameron Diaz, followed by Jennifer Lopez.
Hair - Though hair implants are not as common for women as for men, the leading choice was Gisele Bundchen, followed closely by Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts.
Chin - There was no clear cut leader in this category. Among the names referenced were Sonia Braga, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron.
Forehead - This was the least referenced category of the eleven choices. Leading the selections were Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor and Oprah Winfrey.
THE MEN
Abdomen, nose and eyes were the three top categories for men, followed by chest, chin and buttocks. The categories are listed in order of popularity.
Abdomen - Brad Pitt just beat out Matthew McConaughey. They were followed by action film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme and soccer great David Beckham.
Nose - This category was led by Brad Pitt, followed by George Clooney. There were numerous mentions by doctors who noted that patients expressed personal concerns that any procedure would not leave them looking like Michael Jackson.
Eyes - The top three men referenced in this category were George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck.
Chest - Arnold Schwarzenegger was the overwhelming choice followed by Paulo Zulu (Brazil).
Chin - Many more doctors referenced celebrity influences on male chin procedures than women. The most often referenced were Clooney and Pitt followed by Kirk Douglas, Ricky Martin, Antonio Banderas and Errol Flynn.
Buttocks - Here Brad Pitt had the clear lead with Mel Gibson, Ricky Martin and Paulo Zulu following.
Cheeks - There was a tie in the category between Clooney and Pitt. Tom Cruise and Paulo Zulu followed.
Lips - Clooney and Pitt led followed by Antonio Banderas and Korean movie star Dong-Kun Jang.
Hair - Tom Cruise led followed by David Beckham.
Legs - David Beckham led followed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Forehead - Cruise and Pitt tied in this category.
ISAPS recommendations for choosing the best plastic surgeon:
1. Determine if the surgeon is board certified or approved by a medical board to practice plastic surgery specifically.
2. Ask to speak with former patients who have had the same procedure.
3. Is the surgeon a trained plastic surgeon? Dermatologists and gynecologists are not trained in plastic surgery.
4. Research the prospective surgeon on the Internet. Check their website or go through Surgeon Finder on the ISAPS website at http://www.isaps.org.
5. Society affiliations are very important. Is the surgeon a member of the plastic surgery society in his or her country and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery? Most national societies have membership requirements that protect the public.
“One recommendation we always make to patients looking for advice is do your research,” observed Atlanta, Georgia based Dr. Foad Nahai, First Vice President of the Board of ISAPS and a noted author and professor of aesthetic plastic surgery. “Women will spend weeks looking for just the right decorator or dress for an important event - why shouldn’t they (as well as men) spend equally serious time locating the right plastic surgeon.”
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That was a fun read. Interesting note about Dolly Parton that I just heard… the article mentioned women wanting to look like her, but I recently heard that she needed to cancel a performance because of back pain due to breast size.
I have to assume that people going to surgeons asking to “look like” people such as Pamela Anderson or Dolly never think of things like the back pain that comes with it.
To each their own but I personally would not want to get cosmetic surgury to look like a star. If I ever did it I would do it for myself and for know other reason.
I personally don’t think that I could ever get any type of surgery, especially to look like anybody else. I thought this was an interesting read though.
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It is wonderful that we live in an age that those who wish to, can have their bodies altered.
If you’ve got the money, have at it!
I definitely agree SageMother. I think that if you have the money, go ahead and do it!
I guess if you have the money but personally I could think of a lot of other things to do with it but I think that is just because I am mainly afraid of and type of surgury.
This is a very interesting article. You would think lots of women would want to have big breast like Pamela Anderson, but in fact they don’t. There are alternative ways to achieve the body you want without surgery..like exercise, padded push up bras, breast enhancers, padded panties and etc.. For the face, there are makeup and accessories that will enhance your features like fake eye lashes and double eyelid stickers.
I really do not think I would want to have surgery, to look like a celebrity that is. I just do not see the point. Unless it is for re constructive type of surgery.
I don’t think I could stand a breast implant unless is was for reconstructive purposes. They encapsulate and get really hard, at lest that is what I have seen so far. NOt very attractive at all.
It is interesting to see how plastic surgery is used to create features once considered “ethnic”. Larger lips and hips used to be the tools used by racists to justify discrimination as these indicated less intelligence, among other things.
Katharina, LOL! People just go overboard if they have money to spend.
Kind of reminds me of people who build those monster houses. Just because they can. And they are just butt ugly and impractical.
Sort of like having Dolly Parton’s boobs. I think they must weigh more than all of her body combined!
I forgot to mention that there are some good tips here on how to choose a good plastic surgeon. I think that if people did more research on the medical professionals they used for this type of thing, there might be a lot less problems.
Tater03, amen to that….
Though I wouldn’t really mind getting a piece of J-Lo’s *ass*.
Jewel, there’s a million and a half people out there at least that have image issues.
And more than enough, apparently, to keep plastic surgeons in business
SageMother, that’s the best plan I’ve heard all week.
Now, if only I can find myself a *rich* sugar daddy that can fund my obsessions without my husband knowing, then I’m all for it!
Jewel, okay, so if I had the money, I will have a piece of Angelina Jolie’s mouth, J-Lo’s famous butt, and Tina Turner’s to die for legs.
How much do you think this is going to cost me?
Tater03, I think you have to have a high threshold for pain in order to go through plastic surgery over and over again.
I used to watch the Extreme Makeover show and think *wow, that must hurt*.
But you know what they say about no pain, no gain.
“Jewel, okay, so if I had the money, I will have a piece of Angelina Jolie’s mouth, J-Lo’s famous butt, and Tina Turner’s to die for legs.
How much do you think this is going to cost me?”
Probably a lot. But if you have the money, go ahead and do it, no problem. If you have to ask about price though, you probably can’t afford it.
People often forget that medicine isn’t a science, but an art.
Some of the worst plastic surgery is due to the surgeon’s interpretation of beauty and less on the desires of the patient.
Lilly, that is so true.
And we always have to remember that when plastic surgery is done, it is hard to undo.
Thanks for dropping by. I just added you to our link love. Please come by again. I love the stuff you have in your store.
EviesEarth, technology really has improved breast implants now and my girlfriend recently had them done. She paid top dollar for it and she is quite very happy with what she got.
Did you know that the latest craze in tattoes now are getting implants with it? So, if a guy gets a big breasted woman tattoed, they’d get the boobs implanted.
How crazy is that?
SageMother, oh, how time changes things and the masses outlook on what’s considered right and wrong.
Jewel, that’s right.
Medical associations are one of the best places to find reputable surgeons because they weed the *problematic* ones out.
SageMother, it’s like teaching someone to be a master Picasso when they don’t have it in them to be artistic.
Beauty leaves so much to individual interpretation, and I have found what is beautiful some people don’t.
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