Molly Jong-Fast, a writer and commentator known for her appearances on MS NOW, has publicly shared her decision to undergo a deep plane face and neck lift. The procedure took place a few months after her 47th birthday in August, as detailed in an essay published Wednesday in The New York Times.
In her essay, Jong-Fast, 47, addressed the stigma surrounding cosmetic procedures for women and her personal journey from opposing such interventions to embracing them as a tool for career advancement. She drew a parallel to her mother, feminist writer Erica Jong, and the "pro-sex" feminist circle of her mother's generation, who felt compelled to maintain their appeal to men. Her mother, Jong-Fast noted, had a facelift in her 50s to preserve her status.
Jong-Fast argued that a woman's looks can directly influence her livelihood, romantic prospects, and overall visibility. She recounted a conversation with a plastic surgeon who told her that the lower half of her face appeared older than the top half. This assessment, she stated, was a catalyst for her decision to proceed with the surgery.
"A few months later, I was rolled into an operating room for a deep plane face- and neck-lift," Jong-Fast wrote. "He made me better looking, and I don’t regret it." She maintains that this decision does not make her a "bad feminist."
She expressed skepticism towards the idea of rejecting societal beauty standards outright, especially when a woman's appearance is directly tied to her profession. Jong-Fast, who discusses politics on television, stated that her face is "directly connected to my livelihood."
Jong-Fast observed that cosmetic surgery is common among women in media, particularly those who appear on television. She noted the increasing prevalence of screen time for everyone, from professionals in Zoom meetings to social media influencers. "My face, for instance, is directly connected to my livelihood," she reiterated, referencing her role as a political contributor and host of the podcast "Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast."
She concluded her essay by emphasizing the need for transparency regarding cosmetic treatments and an end to the shaming of women for their choices. Jong-Fast predicted that her own daughter might face similar decisions in the future.
