Plastic Fantastic

[Jamez]

Nothing strikes fear into me more than the thought of death. I have a real phobia about it. One day I will no longer exist - I wish I had some sort of religious faith. Maybe I wouldn't be so scared of the inevitable, then.

[Pete]

My best mate popped in on his way home tonight whilst I was standing cooking my tea. He said, "look at the muscles", as though (A) I have been working out - and I haven't, or (B) he forgot what I had done this year - which he hadn't.

you cook naked do you?

[johnnyboy]

Cheers for your input, Gavin.

It still feels a bit weird thinking about it. I have a month or so off work over Xmas and I was thinking that, were I to do it, I would do it then and not need any business time off.

Could you describe your decision-making process on this for me, Gavin? What you thought the pros and cons might be before, and whether that actually was the case after? Cheers, matie.

[Dr Lobster*]

i have on six seperate occasions had a debate with myself over the pros and cons of having my eyebrows raised by 15% and my neck widened significantly to support any large hats i might want to wear in the future. it's a very difficult decission.

my personal view point is this, however, unless there is something really quite fundermentally wrong with your appearance, there probably isn't really any need to consider it.

and when i look around my local town centre and see all those "ugly" bastards with "beautiful" women, the more and more i think about it, the more and more i think looks in the most part are utterly irrelevent long term.

sure, initially, looks matter, but they only matter in places where there is a lot of choice available, such as pubs and nightclubs.

i'm fairly certain that anybody who claims that their looks are holding them back from meeting new partners are really searching in places where looks are the only commodity.

[Gavin Scott]

you cook naked do you?

And get sparyed by my stir fry? Are you quite mad? I was in a tight t shirt.

Could you describe your decision-making process on this for me, Gavin? What you thought the pros and cons might be before, and whether that actually was the case after? Cheers, matie.

Pros: More confidence, new wardrobe of clothes, feeling like anyone who is with me will actually enjoy the experience, rather than being paranoid that they won't. That last one was the one that swung it for me.

Cons: Pain, recovery time and a scar. Incidentally, I was walking the next day, released after 5 days and was on stage less than 3 weeks later in a production of Rocky Horror.

The latter 'con' (recovery time) simply doesnt apply to a chin implant (apart from in the most minimal way). At most you would have a day of discomfort and a plaster under your chin. The benefits would be a stong, defined masculine chin and you could finally shave that damned goatee off. I've kissed a few, and believe me you are better off without it.

Both Dr Lobster and Matt make good points, but they are based on the mindset of someone who has no qualms about their physicality. That is a good thing. A very good thing - but not a common thing.

Many many many people have aspects of themselves they would change if they could. A thinner nose, a less imposing brow, the need to wear corrective lenses, droopy tits and so on.

Its all too easy to be scornful and say, "how shallow", but there stands siggy with his fashionable hair and clothes and I am forced to wonder what the difference is.

Jb, at the very least, excercise your consumer muscles and get a consultation. You could be given pictures of the "after" (generated on a computer) so you know what you would get for your money.

[Pete]

you cook naked do you?

And get sparyed by my stir fry? Are you quite mad? I was in a tight t shirt.

well I was not aware you were stir frying, you might have been microwaving soup.

The only thing I'd have done would be my ears as they're lumpy (hence my long haircut). Other than that I'm pretty fine with my looks.

[Lorns]

I don't really have an opinion on cosmetic surgery. It's a personal choice. Proivided you have it done for all the right reasons then i can't see a problem. There are few out there whos insecurities are more deep rooted and a visit to a psychologist would be far more beneficial than visiting a surgeon. You don't strike me as that sort of person somehow Johnnyboy.

If it will make you happy then go for it. Personally, i don't think you need it.

I wouldn't want to go under the knife unless it was for a life saving operation. Hospitals give me the creeps.
Oddly, the thought of being an old dear, doesn't fill me with dread. I'd like to grow old gracefully. I look at my late Nana,The Queen and Nana Moon as my elderly role models.
That's what i say now. Who knows how i may feel 20 years down the line.
That's why i say " Never say never" where cosmetic surgery is concerned.

[johnnyboy]

I don't really have an opinion on cosmetic surgery. It's a personal choice. Proivided you have it done for all the right reasons then i can't see a problem. There are few out there whos insecurities are more deep rooted and a visit to a psychologist would be far more beneficial than visiting a surgeon. You don't strike me as that sort of person somehow Johnnyboy.

If it will make you happy then go for it. Personally, i don't think you need it.

Cheers Gavin and miss hellfire.

I can honestly hand-on-heart say that my appearance does not upset me and nor do I let it stop me from doing things I want to do. If it was causing me psychological harm, I'd definitely agree with you that it would be completely the wrong thing to do.

I'm a confident chappy the vast majority of the time (but have less confident times like everyone). If I could wave a magic wand though and change my appearance, I'd simply give myself a more prominent chin and get rid of my dimple (which the goatee was grown to cover).

If I decide to do it, and that's still a big "if" at the moment, I certainly don't think it would change me that much. The vast majority of the time, I'm happy with my life and my world - in many respects, I'm completely jammy and have more than I probably should!

Correct me if I'm wrong, Gavin, but you sound very similar to me in many respects (especially temperament) - does what I am saying chime with you?

[Gavin Scott]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Gavin, but you sound very similar to me in many respects (especially temperament) - does what I am saying chime with you?

Completely. I could very easily have not had the op, and continued as a fairly happy confident guy for the remainder of my time.

I have never been known to be short of words, with strangers or friends. This truly was an "icing on the cake" scenario, but has gone further than I could have imagined.

Here is the deal today: I have a customer called Pim (I assume its a nickname). He came in today after an absense of several months. He runs a club in Edinburgh called "under the influence", and I have fancied him for a couple of years.

He asked if I had been "working out" (much like yesterday's event), and I told him I hadn't. He said, "I know it's a cliche, but you look great", before telling me he would put me in the guest list tonight.

So I'm going to the club tonight. I'm flattered, excited and feeling great. I'm wearing the same t shirt as yesterday - so obviously it makes me look good.

What can I say? My confidence seems to be carrying me on a road that I would not have been on before. I had the surgery for ME not for anyone else, and I feel great about myself.

Mark, you are bright and articulate, and you are not a bad looking man - but there is nowt wrong with doing what you need to to feel better about yourself.

Like I say, a consultation is without obligation, and may give you an idea of the end result.

Think on and look sharp, jb.

[Pete]

I feel for the collective good this should be demonstrated with the use of a photograph.

I'm sure the tourist rates would be boosted by such a demonstration as I cannot be bothered visiting edinburgh for at least another 17 hours

[johnnyboy]

Completely. I could very easily have not had the op, and continued as a fairly happy confident guy for the remainder of my time.

I know exactly what you mean.

To be honest, the thought of getting rid of the dimple and having a stronger jaw line has crossed my mind since I was 16 - that's 15 years ago.

However, I have not used it as an excuse not to do things.

I have been very lucky with the vast majority of ladies in my life who seemed to like/love/obsess about me for the man I am now. Female friends have always said that when I walk into a room and on top of my game, I have this "presense" about me. I have pursued all my personal and professional goals in my life, and never been afraid to take risks.

BUT if I could change a few things, that's what I'd change. I'm happy with myself in virtually every way, and thank my wonderful and supportive family and friends (and particularly Katie and Claire, my exs) for pushing me on and constantly trying to stretch my boundaries.

Not to be flippant, but seeing myself without a goatee would be more of a shock to me than getting rid of the dimple and recessive chin. I haven't seen the dimple since I grew my goatee way back in summer 2000.

What can I say? My confidence seems to be carrying me on a road that I would not have been on before. I had the surgery for ME not for anyone else, and I feel great about myself.

Mark, you are bright and articulate, and you are not a bad looking man - but there is nowt wrong with doing what you need to to feel better about yourself.

Like I say, a consultation is without obligation, and may give you an idea of the end result.

Think on and look sharp, jb.

Gav, I hope the thing with "Pim" works out, fella

I have an appointment to see them not next Monday but the Monday after. The more I think about it, the more I really would quite like to do this (finance permitting - being self-employed and getting a loan for up to £7K unsecured isn't easy!)

Thanks very much for the kind words. I like you a lot and have a BIG respect for you, so much appreciated. (This is getting like a bit of a MP247 love-in!)

It's a big thing for a guy (gay or straight) to talk about this stuff, and I appreciate your counsel. I'm stoked that you feel as if the normal GS confidence level has been amplified.

Now, go get 'em.