Full Episode: “Hooked on Plastic Surgery at Age 28” | The Oprah Winfrey Show | Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN・2 minutes read

Jenny Burton's plastic surgery addiction stems from poor self-esteem and a desire for perfection, leading to multiple surgeries and ongoing dissatisfaction. Other individuals, like Cheryl Kaiser and Hope Donahue, also grapple with plastic surgery addiction, facing financial strain, emotional distress, and the realization that physical changes do not equate to inner happiness.

Insights

  • Jenny Burton's plastic surgery addiction stems from poor self-esteem and a need for perfection, leading to impulsive decisions and dissatisfaction despite multiple procedures, showcasing the psychological impact of altering one's appearance.
  • Hope Donahue's journey reveals the futility of seeking external changes for inner contentment through plastic surgery, as she faced financial ruin and emotional distress, ultimately recognizing her addiction and seeking therapy to address underlying issues, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health concerns rather than relying on cosmetic alterations.

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Recent questions

  • What led Jenny Burton to undergo multiple plastic surgeries?

    Jenny Burton's plastic surgery addiction stemmed from her ex-husband's criticism of her appearance, triggering an obsession with altering her features to achieve perfection. This led her to undergo numerous surgeries, including nose jobs, breast implants, cheek implants, liposuction, and more, spending around $80,000 in the process. Despite the surgeries, Jenny's self-esteem plummeted, and she felt broken, constantly seeking fixes through cosmetic procedures.

  • How did Jenny Burton's family react to her plastic surgery addiction?

    Jenny Burton's family, particularly her sister Lauren, expressed concern and insecurity about Jenny's obsession with appearance. Lauren felt less alike to Jenny due to her changed appearance, longing for a family resemblance. Jenny's daughter grew up with her mother having multiple surgeries, not recognizing her natural appearance in old photos, showcasing the impact of Jenny's addiction on her family dynamics.

  • What advice did plastic surgeons give to Jenny Burton regarding her surgeries?

    Plastic surgeons advised Jenny Burton to seek psychiatric counseling before considering more surgeries, recognizing her obsession with plastic surgery and the underlying psychological issues driving her addiction. They highlighted the importance of addressing her mental health and self-esteem concerns before undergoing further cosmetic procedures to achieve lasting satisfaction.

  • How did Cheryl Kaiser's plastic surgery addiction impact her marriage?

    Cheryl Kaiser's plastic surgery addiction caused financial strain and marital issues, with her husband threatening to leave if she continued with multiple procedures. Despite Mr. Kaiser's initial support for Cheryl's surgeries due to her self-image issues, he later felt that more surgeries were unnecessary and detrimental to their relationship. Cheryl's addiction to liposuction and other cosmetic procedures strained their marriage, leading to conflicts and ultimatums.

  • What realization did Hope Donahue come to regarding her plastic surgery addiction?

    Hope Donahue realized that altering her appearance through plastic surgery did not bring inner happiness or fulfillment, despite her initial belief that physical changes would solve her emotional struggles. After facing financial ruin, emotional distress, and isolation due to her addiction, she sought help and therapy to address her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) underlying her plastic surgery addiction. This realization marked a turning point in her journey towards self-acceptance and prioritizing inner well-being over external changes.

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Summary

00:00

Plastic Surgery Addiction: Jenny's Quest for Perfection

  • Jenny Burton, 28 years old, has undergone 26 plastic surgeries, including nose jobs, breast implants, cheek implants, liposuction, and more.
  • Her plastic surgery addiction began after her ex-husband criticized her appearance, leading to an obsession with altering her features.
  • Jenny has spent around $80,000 on her surgeries but remains unsatisfied, constantly seeking perfection.
  • Despite numerous surgeries, Jenny's self-esteem has plummeted, and she feels broken and in need of fixing.
  • Jenny's desire for plastic surgery stems from a long-standing battle with poor self-esteem and a need to fit in.
  • She has had three nose jobs, influenced by her ex-husband's comments about her appearance.
  • Jenny admits to not thoroughly considering the consequences of her surgeries, jumping into them impulsively.
  • She describes herself as obsessed with plastic surgery, thinking about it constantly and desiring daily procedures.
  • Jenny's next priority is Botox around her eyes to prevent wrinkles and avoid the need for a face-lift.
  • She also desires a body lift to address her stomach area, showcasing her ongoing dissatisfaction with her appearance.

10:19

"Plastic Surgery Obsession: Jenny's Transformation Journey"

  • Jenny Lee Burton describes a procedure that involves pulling up skin from the waist to the back, lifting the rear, sides, and front, similar to a tummy tuck, with an inner thigh lift included.
  • Jenny plans to have a lower face-lift, arm lift, and more surgeries in the future to address excess skin.
  • Jenny's daughter has grown up with her mother having multiple plastic surgeries, not recognizing her natural appearance in old photos.
  • Jenny, at 28, has undergone 26 plastic surgeries, including breast augmentations, lip enhancements, nose jobs, cheek implants, and liposuction.
  • Jenny's sister, Lauren, feels insecure about her own looks due to Jenny's surgeries, expressing concern about Jenny's obsession with appearance.
  • Lauren believes Jenny's changed appearance makes them look less alike, longing for a family resemblance.
  • Dr. Nancy Etcoff discusses society's obsession with beauty and body dysmorphic disorder, where individuals obsess over minor flaws.
  • Jenny has seen two plastic surgeons, with one advising her to seek psychiatric counseling before considering more surgeries.
  • Jenny's husband finds her beautiful but wishes she would stop having surgeries due to their cost and impact on their family.
  • Cheryl Kaiser, addicted to liposuction, has undergone multiple procedures, causing financial strain and marital issues, with her husband threatening to leave if she continues.

20:41

"Plastic Surgery Obsession: Financial and Emotional Ruin"

  • Mrs. KAISER started breast reduction after her second child.
  • Mr. KAISER supported her decision due to her self-image issues.
  • Mrs. KAISER proceeded with liposuction on her lower abdomen and love handles.
  • She avoided working out due to self-consciousness about her appearance.
  • Mr. KAISER was satisfied with the first breast reduction but felt more surgeries were unnecessary.
  • Mrs. KAISER was never satisfied with her appearance.
  • Mr. KAISER supported her despite her self-consciousness affecting their relationship.
  • Mrs. KAISER expressed a desire for more surgeries to feel comfortable with herself.
  • Dr. ETCOFF warned that surgery wouldn't solve her self-image issues.
  • Hope Donahue's obsession with plastic surgery led her to financial ruin and emotional distress.

30:01

Plastic Surgery Addiction: A Journey of Recovery

  • Hope Donahue underwent a painful and lengthy surgery to enhance her breasts, leading to a difficult recovery lasting weeks.
  • Donahue resorted to posing nude to fund her plastic surgery addiction, which left her feeling isolated and in excruciating pain.
  • She hit rock bottom when she found herself in a bondage photographer's studio, realizing the extent of her addiction.
  • Donahue authored a memoir detailing her struggles with plastic surgery addiction, with her lowest point being in the pornographer's office.
  • She acknowledged her addiction and sought help, eventually recognizing her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through therapy.
  • Despite a 10-year break from surgeries, Donahue fell back into her addiction by getting Botox injections due to anxiety.
  • Donahue confessed to multiple cosmetic procedures, including collagen injections and Botox, as well as canceling four nose jobs in the past seven years.
  • She realized that altering her appearance did not equate to inner happiness, leading her to confront the futility of seeking physical changes for emotional fulfillment.
  • Another individual, Cheryl Kaiser, believed that slimming her thighs would bring her happiness, showcasing a similar mindset of seeking external changes for internal contentment.
  • Jenny Burton struggled with breathing issues due to previous surgeries, relying on Q-Tips to open her nostrils and experiencing anxiety without them, highlighting the physical and psychological toll of excessive cosmetic procedures.

38:28

Life-changing choices and family priorities.

  • A woman discusses her decision to undergo a risky medical procedure to alter her nose, despite warnings of potential collapse, emphasizing the importance of making life-changing choices.
  • Another woman, inspired by the first woman's story, decides against taking a similar risk, realizing the value of her family and opting to focus on other aspects of her life, leading to a significant shift in her priorities.
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