Like A Surgeon? (Nay!)

I love you, baby, but face it—she's Madonna.

Rumors are flying that Madonna's had some kind of "surgical re-invention" since she is currently sporting a pair of shiners. First, there's no fucking way this is from a face lift, mini-lift, brow lift, nosejob or other major procedure—she was seen quite recently and merely popped in and out of this facility.

I've argued before that Madonna has had something skillfully done—skillfully because there is no denying she looks "better" than she did when curtsying for the queen during the Die Another Day era, not because the effect is undetectably subtle—but I don't see anything major. Yet.

Re-invasive?

I'm certain she has injections of various kinds, and I first realized she discovered Botox back during the press junket for Evita in 1996. I would argue she's probably having some kind of injections under the eyes at regular intervals and doesn't seem to be making any bones about it since she could easily have made a mad dash in and out of the shiner-inducing medical office but chose not to bother.

As for bigger stuff, it's my guess and opinion that she's had cheek implants and a chin implant. I don't "see" the chin implant, but I see a lack of jowls that used to be her playground, and I've noticed she's taken to tugging on her lower lip with her teeth as if stretching her face; this tic surfaced around Confessions (around that mystery hernia operation...) and just after she suddenly looked so sleek. Also, yes, she's always had fab cheekbones, but let's be real—not like the double-duty Dietrichs she's got now. Come on, check out this before (2004) and after (2005)—there's implants in them thar cheeks.

Does Madonna look good? Yep. Does she look fake? No. Does the fact that she looks this good at 49 suggest she has done more than eat right and exercise? You better believe it.

One friend suggests to me, "Maybe she's taken to wearing her eyeshadow under her eyes! Anyone?" and another prefers that she confess to having been beaten up by Guy. Funny guys. I used to cringe at the thought of Madonna doing anything to her face, perceiving her as somewhat punk in that regard, but she's revealed herself to not want to look old—just like us!—over and over, so it's in-Evita-ble. Some people still slag her off for looking awful and she's the fittest woman alive.

Still, I dread the day she goes for the full lift. All I can think of are the unrecognizable beauties with these odd new faces (Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Kathleen Turner, Faye Dunaway, even young'uns like Darryl Hannah) and what a shame it is to have to think twice before identifying them.

I'm not like this all the time.

Comments

[Trub]

She looks as amazing to me today as she did in 1984. (the first time I recall seeing an image of her). Question though...in your strip of photos, where is the third photo from? I haven't seen that image and I love seeing the full of her face.

[Steven.]

You know it's good work when you can't tell what's been done.

Her team of surgeons must be miracle workers.

From water to wine.

[Tomi Luka]

Arrrgh! Enough already! Drop that album already! *sigh*

[Matthew Rettenmund]

The third photo was from a fashion show; this was a serious of highly unflattering images (this one isn't too bad at all) that everyone freaked out about because one shot shows her making a weird mouth gesture and it made her face appear to be melting. She looks good and you definitely still get wrinkles, so I guess I can live with that. :0)

[killervirgo]

It's a good thing she hasn't gone all Meg Ryan (or even Cher) on us. It's all very subtle, but I think the jawline gives away the surgery. She had jowls in Truth or Dare but they have seem to vanish over the years.

[John Logsdon]

I remember that third image...that was the time period when everyone was convinced she and Guy were headed to divorce...and she shows up at this show alone...and no wedding ring. She was also sat next to that gorgeous man who everyone said she probably had some interest in. When you see all the shots from that show she definitely looked a little sad and less than rested.