I looked in the mirror this morning, and what did I see? Not wrinkles (heaven forbid) so much as a noticeable change in skin texture and quality. I swear my skin was dewy and glowing just yesterday, but today it's droopier and crepey and dry. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I'm finally losing my "baby weight" and my face hasn't yet adjusted to the loss of volume. Or perhaps my 38 (almost 39) years are just finally catching up to me.

I know I'm not the only one. I hear all the time from other people (mostly women) that their fine lines and sagging snuck up on them -- young and beautiful one day, tired and haggard-looking the next. Even those among us with the tiniest amount of vanity are not immune to the nagging feelings of lost youth.

All of this has really got me thinking. At my age (and with my budget), I don't think I'm ready for plastic surgery just yet. I've already done the chemical peel thing, and laser resurfacing (one of the reasons my skin was dewy and glowing until yesterday, I'm sure). I think I need something else this time.

I am tempted by the idea of the liquid face lift, but dermal fillers have a major drawback for me---the need for maintenance. I have neither the time nor the funds to return again and again for a fill-up. I know there are longer-lasting options available, but there are recent reports that indicate higher complication rates with permanent fillers. As I've mentioned in past blogs, I am basically immune to Botox (which is frustrating because those lines between my brows are the bane of my existence).

So what to do to combat these early signs of aging? Although I advocate self-acceptance, the truth is that we all want to look great. We all want to look youthful. I am no exception. And so I look in the mirror, pulling my skin tight with my fingers, and sigh. I find myself desperately wanting to try one of the non-invasive skin-tightening procedures like Titan, Thermage, or Laser Genesis.

What about you? Did you wake up this morning with somebody else's face? What are you going to do about it? Should we be allowing ourselves to "age gracefully" (whatever that means)? Or should we do whatever we can to preserve the appearance of youth? Are non-surgical cosmetic procedures now perceived as routine maintenance in our appearance-conscious society?

Now don't even get me started on what I'm going to do with the extra skin on my tummy now that it's getting back to its pre-baby flatness.

See plastic surgery before and after photos.

The CDC has released its annual obesity report, naming Mississippi as #1 in a list of states with the largest percentages of obese residents. While the news is bad for Mississippi, the truth is that it's not great for any of us.

Obviously, obesity is steadily on the rise, especially in the United States. Because of this sad fact, bariatric surgery is also on the rise. And thanks to bariatric surgery (and other methods of extreme weight loss), there are more and more people carrying around a whole lot of extra skin.

Loose, hanging skin can be more than just a cosmetic concern. It can interfere with mobility, and contribute to the development of a variety of health-threatening skin conditions and infections.

The good news is that plastic surgeons are available to help fix those problems. In fact, plastic surgery after extreme weight loss (post-bariatric plastic surgery) has become increasingly popular in the past decade.

It is important to understand that, as plastic surgery goes, these types of procedures are very serious. They also leave scars behind that, while not impossible to hide in clothing, may be an unacceptable trade-off for some people. However, for many, the results are well worth the risk and the scars.

Some of the post-bariatric plastic surgery procedures designed to remove excess skin:

• butt lift
• thigh lift
• tummy tuck
• breast lift
• arm lift
• body lift

See plastic surgery before and after photos.

The muffin-tops are back! You can't avoid them, they're everywhere...and you can't help looking either.

Summer brings with it midriff-baring tops and low-rise shorts, not to mention bikinis on some who might be better served by wearing a one-piece. It also brings barbecues, ice cream trucks, and boardwalk treats galore. Put the two together, and what do you get? Muffin-tops, of course.

Just in case you've been living under a rock and need clarification, a "muffin-top" is not the tasty treat you're imagining. It is the excess flesh that spills over the top of one's pants, especially when they're too tight.

If you have a muffin-top situation going on, never fear. There are things that can be done about it. Of course, there's always the tired-and-true tactic of a sensible diet and exercise.

But you say you've tried it all and still you've got issues? If those issues are localized trouble spots that won't budge despite your calorie-counting and your many hours in the gym, then you could always try liposuction. Afraid of the downtime, pain, and long recovery? Look into Smart Lipo. No muffin-top, but mortified by your cottage-cheesy thighs? Have you heard about Acoustic Wave Therapy?

But what if you don't have the budget for cosmetic surgery or even non-invasive cosmetic procedures? Well, you could always try a good dose of self-acceptance together with some mid-rise capri pants and a forgiving empire-waisted blouse.

See plastic surgery before and after photos.

Coming soon (if it's not there already) to a plastic surgeon's office near you: Latisse. Put your falsies away, ladies -- you can grow longer lashes of your very own!

You may have seen Brooke Shields in the television ads for a new product called Latisse. I know I have. Many many times. Makes me wonder if the economy is hurting Botox sales so much that Allergan (the company that makes Botox, Latisse, breast implants, and a host of other plastic surgery-related products) is getting desperate? Or is it the new competition from Dysport that has sent Allergan in search of another basket for their eggs?

Personally, I find these commercials disturbing. They show before pictures of Brooke's lashes, and talk about how Latisse "treats hypotrichosis" (an apparently tragic condition which consists of having "insufficient or not enough" lashes). Of course, I thought Brooke's "before" lashes were quite normal--not spectacular, perhaps, but normal. But then again, maybe my perception is skewed since I'm obviously suffering from hypotrichosis. Once again, we are being told that normal is not good enough.

I'm also a bit bothered by the safety warnings: Don't use this product if you have a history of eye pressure problems, have irritated eyes, or are on medication for eye pressure problems. It goes on to say that people using Latisse may increase increased brown pigmentation of the iris, which is most likely permanent.

Latisse comes in a tube and is meant to be painted onto the lashline with a brush, sort of like mascara in the old days. You apply it day and night and in 12 weeks, your lashes are darker, thicker, longer, and more plentiful. I've seen the before and after photos on the official Latisse website, and I must admit, they are impressive.

So, will I be rushing out to my local plastic surgeon's office for some Latisse to pump up my "insufficient" lashes? Okay, I may be a little tempted...but not enough. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but if a product is strong enough to change my eye color, I am not putting it anywhere near my eyes. Of course, the product has been tested for safety before being released to the market, and has come up (mostly) clean. Still, there are risks, and I am just left wondering if it's worth it. I think I'll stick with my long-time friend and lash-enhancer -- one with no safety warnings beyond "don't poke your eye out" and "get a new tube every 6 months" -- good old-fashioned mascara.

See plastic surgery before and after photos.