Lily Allen’s controversial new song “Hard Out Here” has provoked a lot of chatter from admirers and critics alike. Lily has stated that the song, which alludes to the objectification of women in the entertainment industry, was partially inspired by a visit to a plastic surgeon after the birth of her first child. She was considering having many surgical procedures, including thigh, knee, stomach, back and buttocks “reshaping.” She stated that the surgeon she visited suggested she have these procedures to help get her figure closer to her pre-baby body. She considered the procedures, but then got pregnant with her second child, and since has changed her mind on the matter completely, opting not to have surgery, but instead accepting her transformed figure. We think Lily looks smashing, and she radiates self confidence.
Watch the ‘Hard Out Here’ music video here. The video opens with Lily on an operating table surrounded by a team of surgeons and what appears to be a publicist. He asks, “How does a woman let herself get like this?” to which Lily responds, “I’ve had two babies.” The whole point of the song and video is to show that standards of perfection are both unrealistic and objectifying, especially in the entertainment industry.
We think Lily hits the nail on the head when she talks about the pressures in society for people to look perfect. Entertainers and celebrities are even more pressured, and people too often compare themselves to an unrealistic idea of perfection.
Many plastic surgeons have noted that there has been a recent surge in plastic surgery due to celebrity influence. Dr. Benjamin Stong, who is not affiliated with Lily Allen, stated, “As a plastic surgeon, you want to give your patient the best outcome possible, but keep the expectations realistic. I like to under promise and over deliver. If a patient comes in wanting Jessica Biel’s nose, I discuss at length what will and will not be possible with the rhinoplasty procedure. You can still achieve a great surgical outcome without recreating the exact same feature as a celebrity.” Dr. Stong also wants patients to undergo surgery for the right reasons, and not ever feel pressured to have surgery because of demands from outside sources.
If you are considering having plastic surgery, it is important to consult with a double board certified physician who can be upfront and honest about surgical outcomes. The surgeon should get to know the patient, and be interested in the reasons the patient wishes to undergo plastic surgery. If the patient is truly doing it for themselves, in efforts to look and feel better about their image, surgery can be a wonderful option.
