Extreme Measures People Take for Beauty, Siblings by Sperm Donors Meet for the First Time Through 'Anderson' Show, 13-Year-Old Dugan Smith Update
Monday, December 05, 2011
Anderson explores the extreme measures people take in pursuit of beauty and perfection. He speaks to victims of botched plastic surgery, including a woman who allegedly had a cement-like substance injected into her cheeks by someone who claimed it was medical-grade silicone. Anderson is also joined by a renowned reconstructive plastic surgeon who answers audience questions and provides useful information about plastic surgery -- and warning signs to look out for. 
Plus, meet two viewers, who after watching Anderson's episode on sperm donor reunions, used the resources the show provided to discover they had half-siblings they never knew about. Today, Anderson introduces these siblings in person for the first time.
Also, Anderson follows up with one of his most inspirational guests, 13-year-old Dugan Smith, an aspiring baseball player who previously appeared on the show to share his amazing story of triumph after cancer. Find out what happened after Anderson surprised him with a fantasy trip to the World Series and a meeting with his favorite baseball player, New York Yankees pitcher, C.C. Sabathia, who invited Dugan to join C.C.'s family's team at his charity scavenger hunt.
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Have you ever considered plastic surgery? Have you done your research?
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I watched Meredith Vierra and her husband Richard Cohen the other day.Myself having MS,I could relate to thier lives.The main thing to MS is that you remain positive.You really don't have much choice anyway.I wish I was wealthy like them because you really need some fulltime help.I had to quit my job at the NY Times.I use to print the paper.I worked there for 26 years.I developed MS over 30 years but slowly it slows your movements.I'm on Social Security Disability.Fortunately I made good money so my benefits are high.But what do people do that get less benefits.That's a story in itself.I wish I could meet Richard Cohen and share our experiences.
The updated story regarding 13-year-old Dugan Smith really touched my heart. He was dealt with a life altering decision due to a terrible disease and he showed such strength and courage during the entire ordeal. Although I am not a child but in my 30's, I have been given a devestating medical diagnosis and need a liver transplant. I have days that I don't think I will recover from this disease and receive the transplant that I so desperately need. He has inspired me not to give up and stay positive and motivated. Dugan is an amazing young man and I wish him nothing but success and good health in the future. Thanks Anderson & Dugan for showing me there is life after a difficult diagnosis.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dunn
i am always amazed that people still believe that hitting, slapping, and beating children is an effective way to raise them so that they will respect their parents and other adults. Why would you respect someone who hits you and tells you it is for your own good? If hitting and beating people is sn effective way of making them into a good responsible adult, why do we have laws that hitting and beating people is a crime? It shouldn't make any difference if the victims are children. Just because your parent***** and beat you and you turned out OK is not a validation that it is a good way to raise your kids. I didn't hit or beat my kids and they are fine, outstanding adults.
barbara- first of all- I am not a freak. Second-You don't know. Talk about vain, you just complimented yourself over and over and then put others down to make yourself look better.
I don't believe in plastic surgery at this time. I am 57 and I have never had plastic surgery, botox or even a facial. However, I do take care of myself. I drink about 2 gallons of water a day, eat healthy, take vitamins, moisturize, avoid the sun, do not drink alcohol and I exercise.
Most people think I am 10-15 years younger than my stated age. I have been told many times that I have beautiful skin.
I also am tall and slender and have a youthful attitude. I do have a few wrinkles but most people don't notice them. I think it's because I emphasize the good things about me such as my skin.
I think Americans are too preoccupied with plastic surgery and trying to look perfect. The plastic surgeons are "having a field day". MOst Americans don't realize the pictures they see on a magazine cover are people such as the "Kardashians" are air brushed and that they have had alot of plastic surgery themselves. These people that have plastic surgery do not look younger to me they just look like they have had plastic surgery.
It's sad to see these women who wanted to look better come out looking like "freaks". Who said these "enormous lips' are so attractive. I have nice full lips and they look nice on my face and I don't want anything artificial.
I also think Americans need to think about being "beautiful on the inside" not just the outside. They are not passing the right message to their children. They are saying beauty is more important than morals or values or how they treat other people. How sad? Even JR on "DAncing With the Stars"didn't have plastic surgery after having his face mutilated after stepping on a line bomb
I can uderstand someone like him having surgery or someone born deformed having plastic surgery but not these millions of vain women. Also, I think JR has alot of confidence about himself and sees his deformities totally different than these women who want to have a little pimple removed.
I truly believe women just need to start taking care of themselves better rather than buying into "plastic surgery". Maybe it's less work. I don't know.
I had a tummy tuck & breast lift and ended up in the hospital for 3 months with Necrotizing Fasiciitis (rare flesh eating bacteria). I did all my research on the Doctor and Surgery center. I had prepared myself down to every last detail, and now my chest area and abdomen are nothing but skin graphs and sunken holes from debridments. I had my kids before I was 20 and was very uncomfortable with my severe stretch marks and excessive skin. So at 47 y/o, I took time off my administrative assistant position and my Mom paid half as a gift. It's been 2 years this December, I still cry everyday. I can't even begin to describe the all the pain, yet I am so grateful to be alive.
Anderson!
After seeing your show on plastic surgery today, my inquiring mind wanted to know if you would consider botox for that large line between your eyes? It appears that you are forever frowing.
No pressure!
Yes, I have had my eyelids done, so I could SEE! Too much loose skin weighing down my amazing, long eyelashes. Life is GOOD.
Sincerey,
Julie Wilmore
P.S. Once again, your laugh (chuckle) is so cute!
I'm not sure of how the first guest was getting her money, but if she is receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) it is very difficult to acquire extra money (for something like cosmetic surgery) because you have to account for all the money you get or earn, or you can be penalized and possibly lose your benefits. That may have been why she took the back-alley approach, but didn't really go into any detail as to why she was unable to come up with the money for a legit surgeon.
I don't understand how anyone would look for a bargain basement surgeon. A medical procedure is one thing you should pay full price for. Having said that, I think it is a sin that the medical profession is preying on the vanity of people.
I can understand why someone would want to fix a physical deformity, but I don't understand those that use plastic surgery as a fountain of youth. Those people need psychiatric help.
Unfortunately, Hollywood and the media are also responsible for feeding our obsession with beauty. How many untalented people are on TV and in the movies only because of their appearance? More than I can count.
This is only my opinion, of course, but what I find less appealing than an aging face is a person having plastic/cosmetic surgery to disguise their looks. Our beauty comes from within and the wrinkles and lines in our faces show we have fought our battles through the years and hopefully possess a degree of wisdom which should come from those experiences. I can definitely understand having a procedure for a disfigurement or out of medical necessity, but I cannot roll with the vanity aspect of it. I often wonder if they look in the mirror and actually think they look better with no expression or a face 20 years younger than their body. Just sayin' :)
Mr.Cooper, you are a respected journalist, I followed 360... during the last presidential election and agreed with much of what you said. You have covered wars and revolutions. You covered the latest depression and the state of our country. I write this now because I have never seen your morning show and doing so now makes me feel sorry I did catch it.
It is not the content of your show, afterall it is a morning talk show that holds on to a demographic that is mostly women between the ages of 22-36. No, all of this I understand. What I do not understand is how you could turn a whole segment into a commercial for one doctor. You are better than that sir.
I hope that you understand that I respect your opinion and shows I just hope that in the future it does not turn into one huge infomercial for one doctor.
Thank you for your time sir and I look forward towards your coverage in the upcoming presidential election.
Edmundo Rodriguez
I watched your show this am and am apalled at the disregard for the concept of not hitting youngsters who need it. I raised 2 kid with a swift hand if they needed it. That is what is wrong with this country. Parents who have no control over their kids. They give them whatever they want and then when they are druggies wonder what happened. You don't kill the kids but you use an eye contact to let them know who is the boss. Then when they get out in the world they can handle the challenges they will face. Both of the kids (now adults) have told us that at the time the thought discipline was tough at the time that now they feel that it was the right thing to do.
This is what happens when you go to a doctor who offers you something that is so cheap that it is impossible to offer what he wants to do that no other doctors could ever offer to me that is when bells and whistles should go off but if they don't then you must be deaf.
I feel badly for her but on the other hand you only get what you pay for and now you hire a lawyer of which will cost you more because if he wins the case what ever you get for the case he will take a chunk of your money nothing more nothing less.
hey I just don't get it what was wrong with the
Young woman face on the right. Unless she had
Bad burns what and why would you do something like
Surgery on your face God gave you a beautiful
face I hope this could be a do over. Lots of prayers
From me to you.
Ethel