Don't say I'm a boob for writing about this.
It used to be a high point of Goldy Anthony's life. Every six weeks or so, as a kind of personal morale booster, she 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.When money is tight, people cut back on luxuries. I'm playing fewer correspondence chess games than normal at present. So why should plastic surgery business be any different.Afterward, in a carefree mood, the ladies would dine at a popular restaurant on the Sunset Strip.
No more. The sub-prime loan crisis, the housing slump and the general decline of the economy have claimed another covey of victims. Anthony is in the real estate business, and under current conditions, the cosmetic treatments -- at $1,800 or more a pop -- can no longer be squeezed into her budget. It's the same with others in the group.
"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.
Doctors don't like to talk about it publicly, but plastic surgeons from the Southland to South Florida said some colleagues are struggling to stay in business.
A leading manufacturer of breast implants recently reported that surgeries declined toward the end of last year.
I really feel sorry for the woman who has to cut back on botox. NOT! The question remains- What will the democratic candidates do to save this sagging part of the US economy?
Hat tip- Don Surber who says 'The breast implant business goes bust as the economy sags.'
Permalink | E-mail This | Technorati Links | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this!
Filed under:
Business, Medicine, Odd News
Comments (13)
Yeah, I'm really really wor... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GarandFan | April 7, 2008 12:04 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Yeah, I'm really really worried about all the shopping that won't take place on Rodeo Drive.
1. Posted by GarandFan | April 7, 2008 12:04 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 12:04
2. Posted by Oyster | April 7, 2008 12:06 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Ya boob!
2. Posted by Oyster | April 7, 2008 12:06 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 12:06
3. Posted by Roy | April 7, 2008 12:09 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I guess P. Diddy is going to have BYOB parties now.
3. Posted by Roy | April 7, 2008 12:09 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 12:09
4. Posted by Rance | April 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
You ask "What will the democratic candidates do to save this sagging part of the US economy?"
Right now, it's not their job. That responsibility still belongs with the boob in the White House.
4. Posted by Rance | April 7, 2008 12:42 PM |
Score: -6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 12:42
5. Posted by Tom Blogical | April 7, 2008 12:58 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
The job of the government during any economic "crisis" is to KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF of it and let the correction happen. Mucking with it will only make it worse, unless they want to cut taxes across the board.
5. Posted by Tom Blogical | April 7, 2008 12:58 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 12:58
6. Posted by corwin | April 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I am amazed by the difference in prices around the country for theses minimal cosmwtic services.It costs me about $100 to Botox a patient.I double my cost($200)mand it's not such bad pay for about 7 minutes of work.I do like Juvederm;a syringe costs me about $235.Both should last at least 6 months.
When I read about temporaily affluent people being overcharged,I think"Stupidity can be a capital crime."
6. Posted by corwin | April 7, 2008 1:09 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 13:09
7. Posted by Mikey NTH | April 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
She's 41. She's a year younger than me. And she's going for Botox???
7. Posted by Mikey NTH | April 7, 2008 1:10 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 13:10
8. Posted by philw1776 | April 7, 2008 3:49 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Where's John 'Botox' Kerry when we really need him? Do the right thing John and pump up the economy some more.
8. Posted by philw1776 | April 7, 2008 3:49 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 15:49
9. Posted by Jim Addison | April 7, 2008 4:45 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Fundamental economics teaches us that recessions are not only NOT all bad, they actually perform an essential economic service which strengthens the overall economy in the long term. During periods of strong growth, resources can become misallocated as newly-made monies rush to the latest investing fashions (investors becoming less cautious the longer an expansion continues). Recessions correct this by squeezing out the excesses in the economy, so resources once again begin to flow toward their most productive uses.
Now, for my money, if you're going to squeeze out the excess, what better place to start than with artificially-enhanced boobs?
Squeeze 'em, boys: your country needs you . . .
9. Posted by Jim Addison | April 7, 2008 4:45 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 16:45
10. Posted by bill-tb | April 7, 2008 6:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I wonder how many people remember what communism is. It appears to me, not very many.
10. Posted by bill-tb | April 7, 2008 6:13 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 18:13
11. Posted by Les Nessman | April 7, 2008 8:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hooterville! ...er, I mean Hooverville!
11. Posted by Les Nessman | April 7, 2008 8:48 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 20:48
12. Posted by Real![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| April 7, 2008 9:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The relapsed Botox users have seen a tightening of their wallets, but not of their faces.
(Although the bust joke was better)
12. Posted by Real![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://wizbangblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| April 7, 2008 9:42 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 7, 2008 21:42
13. Posted by Eric F | April 8, 2008 1:59 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Clear proof of Botox seeping into the user's brain.
13. Posted by Eric F | April 8, 2008 1:59 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 8, 2008 01:59