Wednesday May 9, 2001
Plastic Surgery for the Young

Roseanne's done it. Cher has too. Even famed divorcee Ivana Trump has tried it. They've all gone under the knife altering their faces. So what's this 35-year-old got to worry about? Ellen says, "I don't want to change my looks. But I know that I might also be able to do some preventative stuff at this age."

Preventative stuff for "Music Man" actress Ellen Harvey means waging a battle against puffy eyes, she says are hereditary and a hindrance. "I think that we as performers sometimes are made a little more aware of it."

Like Ellen, more and more women and men in their 30's are up for a lift. Dr. John Sherman says, "There's no doubt that the push is toward younger and younger patients."

Ellen put her face in the hands of Dr. John Sherman. The procedure itself will take about 45 minutes. After general anesthesia, small amounts of fat are essentially removed from her lids and undereyes. She'll be back on her feet the same day and completely healed within a month.

She said after, "It's an astonishing change. I'm completely thrilled with the results."

As patients' ages plummet, watchdogs grow concerned. A study last year showed that nearly half of teens polled reported wanting plastic surgery, a shocking 15% increase over the year before. But Ellen says she's not too young, and doesn't regret a thing.

She says, "I think when I did it was the right time. I have to really, I really believe that."