Ankles and Cosmetic Surgery

Here's a short observation.

In a world full of cosmetic surgery, I now believe the most indicative part of a woman's body is her ankles.

A shapely ankle to date has been an accurate indicator of my preferred body type and also happens to be relatively difficult to surgically alter. This is followed closely by the bone structure of the feet and hands, in conjunction with toes and fingers.

The telling indicator used to be the midriff, but the number of technological approaches to solve the midriff problem are now legion, and it is difficult to approach sufficiently closely (or to remove the prerequisite clothing) to see the scars. The graceful curve of the neck line also fell prey to advances in surgical techniques and the rise of relevant capital spending.

Likewise calves used to be a good indicator, but, alas, even that has been conquered through the surgical severing of certain leg nerves which cause the atrophy of chunky calves.

Presumably alteration of bone structure is in the near future, with some combination of chemical or electrical stimulation or attenuation of bone growth. Or perhaps a microsurgical technique that will just go in there and hack up those bones.

I find myself often divided about cosmetic surgery.  The research indicates that it has psychological benefits, but perhaps we are trading an individual's benefit  in psychological health at the expense of a society's expense in sociological health. Of course this happens all the time and is always the right economic bet. But that doesn't make it comforting to me. Jenny comes from a culture that has embraced cosmetic surgery of all kinds, yet has not done any herself, and in fact generally eschews cosmetics. Passing the age of 30, however, gives rise to her subtly setting my expectations that there may be some cosmetic techniques particularly in the area of skin treatments and wrinkle removal that are in her future.

My perspective is that such treatments, if used judiciously and with the appropriate skepticism, are really more for her well-being than for mine or that of our relationship. But in a blog about the challenges of monogamy I should not discount the contribution of her maintaining her appearance to maintaining my interest.