Mommy Makeover Book Misses the Mark

People have been asking about some new book that apparently advises high-anxiety mothers planning a Mommy Makeover cosmetic surgery. The book purports how Mom should explain and justify the surgical experience -- including the immediate and not glamorous post-operative appearance -- to her ostensibly worried 4-7 year old youngsters.

Frankly, I see this as an inane book in search of a need. Of the six billion people on earth, the book's potential readership might fit into the local school auditorium. Do parents really require scripting to explain their decision and then the temporary bruising and swelling? Cannot the average parent, in their own words, better allay any anxiety or answer questions posed by the little ones?

Is a how-to book necessary for every occurrence in life?

Has there ever been a book-for-kiddies delivering scripts on how to explain the also-temporary bloating and swollen ankles of pregnancy? Or, spoon-feeding advice on handling an irritable Mommy during menopause? Or, why Mom can't trampoline with the kiddies one day after her bunionectomy?

Have we no confidence in the innate common sense and sensibility of today's parents? Are we all thought to be that stupid and lacking adequate communication skills?

In all fairness, I have not had a chance to read the entire book because, right now, it lives only in its pre-publication promotion and PR phase. So, currently, we must rely on the news media to deliver the book's message and purported wisdom. Perhaps there will be a better book than the press releases suggest; I hope so.

However, given limited budgets and bookshelf space, perhaps parents should think first of books that teach universal life lessons, broaden awareness, stimulate imagination, expand vocabulary and teach tolerance and respect. Think the Dr. Seuss series. Or, for old-fashioned, real-life practicality, Everyone Poops (My Body Science). After all, the pool of 4-7 year olds -- nervously grappling with how to understand their Mommy's makeover sojourn -- is rather miniscule. But, every kid needs a running start in mastering the essential basic life skills.

Related Topics:

• Body Image and Your Kids
• The Mother-Daughter Weight Connection

Technorati Tags: cosmetic surgery, parenting, mommy makeover, books

Priscilla Presley and Silicone

"Priscilla Presley is the victim of botched cosmetic procedures."

From (TMZ):

Priscilla, whose face looks ... strange on "Dancing with the Stars," went to Dr. Daniel Serrano around 2003. Serrano was a good-looking doc from Argentina who hooked into Hollywood's social A-list and started giving them what he claimed were miracle injections that worked better than Botox.

In fact, Serrano was injecting industrial, low-grade silicone similar to what's used to lubricate auto parts in Argentina into the faces of these women.

Another celebrity falls into the hands of the wrong doctor for cosmetic surgery. So much for fame and fortune immunizing against bad selection of professionals.

If these people - presumably with savvy connections - and living in the world's epicenter of cosmetic surgery, Beverly Hills, can't pick the right doctor, or at least one with a CA medical license, what about the less sophisticated of America?

My latest book, The Essential Cosmetic Surgery Companion, a unique workbook, really makes it easy to avoid doing dumb things. It even has links to the Federation of State Medical Boards to facilitate checking that the doctor working out of his patients' homes (a huge RED FLAG) has a valid medical license.

It's sad that the great accomplishments of modern cosmetic surgery are tainted by crooks, charlatans and grifters. But, in this world, medical or otherwise, it is "Buyer Beware!"

Related Topics:

• Get Savvy Before Cosmetic Surgery
• Cosmetic Procedures: Botox

Technorati Tags: priscilla presley, botox, silicone, cosmetic surgery