Every procedure on RealSelf comes with a Worth It Rating, as determined by real members with firsthand insight and experience. We’re highlighting the top treatments ranked “Worth It” by our trusted community. This story is part of the 2020 Most Worth It campaign to help you make smart, confident cosmetic decisions.
“Worth It” is an abstract and subjective measurement, especially in the context of cosmetic procedures. Identical twins could get the same treatment, see the same results, and feel totally different about whether it was “Worth It.” For some, success is defined simply by the change seen in the after photo; for others, it’s just a good feeling, the way an old pair of jeans now fits, or a lessening of emotional or physical pain.
But one thing everyone who has gotten a procedure—whether it’s an injectable or an invasive surgery—can agree on is this: the more research you do beforehand, the better chance you have of satisfaction afterward. We asked five RealSelf community members who have gotten some of the most popular treatments to tell us why they feel their investment was “Worth It,” and what advice they’d give to others considering it.
Breast augmentation
“I had my breast augmentation in October 2018, after wanting one for over 10 years. It’s Worth It for me because my body finally feels balanced, I feel like a woman, and my clothes finally fit! I specifically chose a doctor who would give me a natural-looking result in line with my body’s proportions, and that’s exactly what Dr. Leland Deane [a board-certified plastic surgeon in Garden City, New York] did. The recovery was actually much less painful than I expected (I was off pain medication within a few days), but I did have to give it a few weeks before easing back into my regular workout routine.
“[My best advice is to] do your research. Using RealSelf was a lifeline for me. I pored over countless reviews and photos to discover which doctors I wanted to schedule consultations with, what to look out for, and what questions to ask. Be vocal with your surgeon about what kind of result you are looking for and don’t hesitate to reach out to them at any time to ease your pre-op nerves. After surgery, be patient. Don’t push yourself physically and don’t freak out if you look or feel a little strange the first few days or even weeks—your final results take a while to show.
“Most importantly, love yourself before getting any procedures and use procedures to enhance that love, not create it. My breast augmentation allows me to live my life more confidently every day and just makes me so happy—I would do it all again in a heartbeat!” —Christina, 28, New York City
Related: Silicone or Saline? 5 Things to Know About Picking the Right Breast Implants
Botox
“I started Botox at 18 for cosmetic use, then for migraines in 2019. Botox is great because it has little to no downtime and the results for wrinkles make a huge difference. It can really turn [you] back into your more youthful [self]. Botox for migraines was very much needed. I’ve had three treatments thus far, due to daily severe migraine attacks that medicine itself wasn’t able to treat. My doctor, Dr. Rebecca Michael, saved my life, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to do it again and again and again and again, until I’m dead.” —Gary, 35, San Francisco
Blepharoplasty
“My hooded eyes are hereditary—so I knew what I would look like in the years to come, based on my older siblings. As I reached my 40s, the hooding was obvious and becoming my predominant feature. This prompted me to research every makeup application video on the internet, in the hope of using makeup to transform the shape of my eye. This was only to discover that nothing was going to change the look of my blue eyes—which, years ago, I received many compliments on. Over the years, I saw that the hooding actually gave [me] an angry look, and I knew it would only get worse.
“I decided the most effective thing I could do was to invest in an eye lift. This was the best decision I have made. I saw immediate results with very little downtime. I had no pain, and no one can actually see the very minor scarring. I look more awake, less angry, and definitely younger. Now I actually use less makeup, which is refreshing, considering the money and time I was spending, trying to get the open-eye look I now have.” —Ava, 48, New York City [Dr. Dilip D. Madnani, a facial plastic surgeon in New York City, performed Ava’s surgery.]
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Bigger, Brighter Looking Eyes—From Makeup to Medical Treatments
Tummy tuck
“After losing 32 pounds, the scale just wasn’t moving. Doctors confirmed there was nothing wrong with me, so I decided to look into an abdominoplasty. After extensive research on the procedure and [the] doctors who performed it, I decided to have the procedure done by Dr. Richard G. Reish [a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City]. I’m glad I did, because the results are amazing! I got a waist back, and my self-confidence came back in spades! The downtime was short—just a couple of days—and the pain was minimal. Dr. Reish’s follow-up care was amazing. He goes above and beyond, ensuring [that] his patients’ aftercare and healing are the top priority. This was by far the best procedure I ever had done to restore my shape and boost my self-esteem. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner!” —Pamela, 59, New York City
Under-eye filler
“I tried under-eye filler back in 2017 and had a bad experience when a doctor broke blood vessels under my eyes and overfilled my tear troughs, which made me look puffy. I was too afraid to go back to that provider to dissolve the filler, out of fear they would break more blood vessels. After the filler wore off and my fiancé told me how tired I looked, I vowed to get the broken vessels fixed and find a better provider in December 2019.
“Several people recommended Elise Blomfield, RN. I was hesitant because she is a nurse, but she works in a medical office under the supervision of doctors who are always available in the event of an emergency. She had a lot of training on injection techniques and uses a less-is-more approach. I’m glad that I chose her.
“I didn’t feel any pain, there was no downtime, and [I saw] the results immediately. I love that my Juvéderm under-eye filler lasts me for about two years and only costs $600. It’s much cheaper and less scary than getting surgery to correct my tear troughs. I feel a lot more confident, and it shows—I’m smiling more and enjoy putting on makeup again. Most people can’t tell that I’ve had anything done, they just notice [that] I look less tired and more refreshed.“[It’s important to] look at your provider’s training and credentials. Doctors aren’t always better than nurses and vice versa. Experience and training make the best providers. The under-eye area is very sensitive, and a lot can go wrong—I’ve learned this the hard way. Even though fillers and Botox are not permanent, their complications can be, in the wrong hands.” —JoAnna, 34, Anchorage, Alaska
