Susan, age 47

"Since my facelift, the biggest differences I’ve noticed haven’t been on the outside, but on the inside.

I remember five, ten years ago, when I used to go around the house singing. But little by little, I stopped singing. I felt I was fading. I started to avoid looking in the mirror.

My mother, kids, husband and friends all said, "Why do you want a facelift? You’re only 47." But it’s not like the plastic surgery of 20 years ago. It’s not a last resort. It’s kind of like analysis. Our mothers and grandmothers probably could have benefited from talking to psychologists, but nobody did that back then.

I have a new job since the surgery. I represent a fine jewelry manufacturer. I really enjoy my work. I enjoy dealing with people, and I have to influence people in my job. That’s hard to do well if you don’t feel good about yourself.

Now I’m singing out loud again. I actually enjoy looking in the mirror. I will never lose the gains I’ve made. "