We all know the housing economy is going to shit. Massive amounts of foreclosures, the hurting economy and the rising percentage of business downfalls and losses. The fascinating & yet very hilarious story from the L.A. Times recollects the times of days full of friends, fine lunch dining in Beverly Hills, and botox - massive amounts of expensive botox.
“Every six weeks or so, as a kind of personal morale booster, Goldy Anthony and a group of girlfriends would make appointments to see a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon for little touch-ups — getting lips plumped and frown lines on the forehead smoothed out. He was “an artist” with Botox and Juvederm, she said.
Afterward, in a carefree mood, the ladies would dine at a popular restaurant on the Sunset Strip.”
Now with the sagging (no pun intended) economy more and more people are feeling the pinch in the “recreational” areas of their lives - ie: body enhancements. These appointments ran the women roughly $1,800 a session! These sessions can no longer be combined with the extravagent lunches and shopping sprees the ‘ladies who botox’ are feeling the pinch and have to make a sacrafice - to sag or not to sag. That is the question.
Here is one woman’s story of her [painfully sagging] life:
“We used to make appointments together,” Anthony said. “Then they started saying, ‘I can’t go next week.’ People didn’t have the money, but they were ashamed to tell you.”
“I would rather have Botox than go out to dinner, but it’s just gotten so bad,” said Anthony, 41, who is looking for a job since her career in the mortgage business went sour. She has not had the facial treatments in months.
And what’s been happening in Beverly Hills is apparently happening around the country. After years of steady growth, the cosmetic surgery business seems to be going through a rough patch.”
At one side of the story it’s hard to feel bad for these vain people - superficial lives of the rich don’t exactly give me a reason to want to weep over their tough circumstances. However, it does cause concern for me when I know the nurses, medical practicioners and doctors are now feeling the pinch of the slowing industry of face-lifts and augmentations. 2007 still showed growth for the most part, but the end of last year in some doctor’s offices showed declines - and that’s only the beginning of the slump. What’s going to happen in 2008?
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. With the weakening dollar and desperation of surgeons to cut prices - plastic surgery may start to look enticing to International travelers.
“In Los Angeles, a world capital for plastic surgery, doctors are hoping that globalization will provide a cushion. Some are looking to European patients, who can capitalize on the weak dollar and combine their plastic surgery with a Hollywood vacation.
“This is a mecca,” said Dr. Stuart Linder, who specializes in breast augmentation. “I have women flying in from all over the world because this is Beverly Hills.”
Sounds like to me we’ll be seeing a flood of good-looking Europeans around our neck of the woods. 
For the entire story check out the L.A. Times Article.
