Plastic surgery remains a topic surrounded by stigma, especially for women in midlife. However, for many, it is less about vanity or chasing youth and more about self-respect, confidence, and aligning how they feel inside with how they present themselves to the world. This blog shares our client Jodi Echakowitz’s story alongside insights from renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Jugenburg, featured on the “Aging Boldly: A Real Talk on Plastic Surgery” episode of the Stronger by Design podcast.
We know that midlife is a time of transformation, reflection, and reclaiming power. For many high-achieving women, the decision to pursue plastic surgery is part of a broader commitment to health, wellness, and authenticity. It’s about closing chapters with pride, not erasing stories. Through Jodi’s candid experience and Dr. Jugenburg’s expert perspective, we’re opening up a real, judgment-free conversation about what plastic surgery means today, and why it deserves a place in the dialogue about aging boldly and living fully.
Jodi’s Story
Jodi’s decision to undergo plastic surgery came after a significant personal transformation. Having lost 55 pounds and reshaped her body through strength training and nutrition, she encountered a challenge that exercise and discipline alone could not fix: skin laxity. She explains, “My abdomen and breasts (which I lovingly call my ‘socks with rocks’) simply cannot change any further no matter how much muscle I continue to build, and no matter how good my nutrition is.” This realization became clear after she competed in the transformation category at FMG Mexico in November 2024, where despite being the leanest she had ever been, loose skin remained.
Initially, Jodi struggled with the idea of surgery, as her loose skin symbolized her journey and transformation. She shared, “When I shared these conflicting thoughts in an Instagram post earlier this year, the incredible community of followers I’ve built through my journey helped me realize that instead of my loose skin being my reminder, the scars from plastic surgery will play that role.” She decided she could honor her body’s past while aligning her appearance with her current self.
At 54, Jodi views this step as part of becoming the best version of herself. “I’m not doing this because I’m vain or chasing perfection. I’m doing it to close a chapter I’ve already poured 3.5 years of discipline, effort, and growth into. This isn’t about changing who I am; it’s about honoring who I’ve become,” she says.
Finding Peace with the Decision
Jodi describes moments that helped her reconcile her choice. One daily reminder is during a cat-cow stretch when she notices the loose skin on her stomach. “It doesn’t bring up shame; it brings up disconnect. I feel strong, confident, and so incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, but the loose skin hanging doesn’t always reflect that.”
Preparing for her first physique competition, Jodi reached her lowest adult weight (113 lbs at 5’3”) just days before stepping on stage, with skin laxity at its most apparent. She recalls questioning if wanting plastic surgery to look her best was wrong. “While it took me some time to realize this, I now know that choosing surgery isn’t about rejecting myself. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. It’s about making a decision that helps me connect the way I feel with how I look.”
Choosing the Right Surgeon
As any other Wonder Women client, Jodi did her homework. She investigated, checked every other Facebook group, asked for recommendations, and consulted three highly recommended surgeons in Toronto, beginning with Dr. Jugenburg. She conducted thorough research, including joining Facebook groups, reading reviews, following social media, and examining before-and-after photos. Her choice of Dr. Jugenburg was influenced by several factors:
- His extensive experience performing thousands of tummy tucks and breast lifts, including on athletes and women with significant body transformations.
- His scar-minimizing techniques and consistent, clean results praised by previous patients.
- The thoroughness and professionalism of his team, including a detailed medical history review and an unrushed consultation with Dr. Indu at Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute.
- The supportive post-operative environment at the Fairmont Royal York, where Jodi will stay overnight with her husband and receive multiple follow-up appointments.
- The warmth and professionalism demonstrated by every member of the surgical team.
It’s important to check your options before taking such an important choice. As Jodi mentioned, she advises others to look beyond Google and Instagram when choosing a surgeon. And she says: “Join trusted online forums or Facebook groups, ask for first-hand experiences, and look for clinics that don’t rush the consult process. Pay attention to the little things, like whether they review your medical history before booking, how much time they spend with you, and how clearly they explain post-op care. Your comfort and safety matter just as much as your results.”
She also emphasizes that cost should never be the deciding factor when it comes to elective surgery involving one’s body and health. “The way I see it, the right surgeon, with the right skill and support systems, is worth every dollar.” And she’s absolutely right about this because at the end of the day, you can’t bargain with your body, it’s your health, your safety, and your long-term outcome on the line. And if you’re also thinking on getting plastic surgery but cannot afford the doctor you truly trust, then wait until you can, because the right hands are worth the wait.
Myths and Misconceptions
Jodi addresses common myths about plastic surgery for women in midlife. One damaging misconception is that surgery signals insecurity or vanity. She counters, “I’ve never been more confident or grounded in who I am. I’m not doing this to fix something that’s broken. Instead, I’m honoring the hard work I’ve already done, and choosing plastic surgery so I feel fully at home in my body.”
Another belief is that strong, fit women embracing aging should not want or need surgery. Jodi reflects, “Growing old is a privilege denied to many. But appreciating the gift of getting older doesn’t cancel the desire for refinement or improvement. You can love your story and still edit the next chapter!”
She also warns that surgery is not a quick fix but a carefully planned, medically significant journey requiring research, support, and resilience. “There’s no lifting weights for six weeks (this is the one thing I know I’m going to struggle with), sleeping upright, wearing compression garments around the clock, etc.”
What Jodi Hopes Other Women Take Away
Jodi hopes her story encourages others to give themselves permission to want more without guilt or shame. “For those who are silently considering a similar decision, I want them to know they’re not alone. It’s okay to feel conflicted. It’s okay to have mixed emotions. But don’t let outdated narratives or someone else’s discomfort stop you from stepping into a version of yourself that feels true.”
She concludes, “You can respect your body’s past and still reshape its future. You can hold pride and possibility at the same time. Whether you go through with surgery or not, know that your story is yours to write, and that strength doesn’t always look like staying the same. Sometimes it looks like choosing change.”
Dr. Martin Jugenburg: The Surgeon’s Perspective
Dr. Jugenburg emphasizes that aging is inevitable and plastic surgery is not anti-aging. He states, “I cannot reverse the nature of your tissues. I can reshape them, I can reposition them, I can make them look better. But the nature of it, the way it’s built, it’s still that same age.”
He notes the cultural shift around plastic surgery: “It’s no longer such a taboo subject. People are not so ashamed of talking about it. This started in the early two thousands. Before then, people would just hide it. Nobody would ever admit to having plastic surgery. And now it’s come to the point where people actually show it off.”
Dr. Jugenburg describes two approaches to breast augmentation: a subtle, natural look and a fuller, more pronounced “power boost” style. “Women want that, and it may come as a shock to people, but quite a few women say, ‘You know what? I’ve paid for it. I want to show it off. I don’t want to be subtle about it.’”
Regarding differences between younger and older women seeking surgery, he explains, “Younger women are a little more about showing it off. Older women, more professional people, they’re more about subtle changes. They want to feel good in their own skin.”
Dr. Jugenburg dispels misconceptions linking plastic surgery with mental health issues, saying, “Your typical professional young woman, there’s just something that she wants to make a little bit better just to feel better in her own skin.” He recalls a patient, an athlete who climbs Mount Everest, who said, “I just want to feel still confident when I walk down the beach. It’s not because I’m trying to show off. I want to feel good when I put on a bikini.”
Michelle MacDonald adds that women in her audience are investing in themselves holistically, through career, fitness, nutrition, and bone health, and plastic surgery is part of a proactive approach to aging for some women. “It’s finding that confidence and that harmony with how they’re feeling inside and their refining versus completely reinventing. They don’t want to look like somebody else”. Most women want to look like themselves, but they want the outside to line up with how they are feeling inside.
Dr. Jugenburg agrees: “Your real plastic surgery patient is the woman who just wants to be the better version of herself, more confident in her own body, like your patients. They spend all this time and effort to be healthy. They work out, they build muscle, they tone the muscles, they burn fat, they get beautiful physiques. But there’s certain things that just no amount of that exercise can help. And that’s where I come in and I’m able to help with the final step that you just can’t do on your own. There’s some things that no amount of willpower can fix.”
Final Thoughts
Plastic surgery is not about chasing youth or perfection. For women like Jodi, and many high-achieving women over 40: it is about alignment, autonomy, and closing a chapter with pride. The decision is deeply personal, and the journey encompasses self-respect and informed choice as much as aesthetics.
As Jodi puts it, “You can respect your body’s past and still reshape its future. You can hold pride and possibility at the same time. Whether you go through with surgery or not, know that your story is yours to write, and that strength doesn’t always look like staying the same. Sometimes it looks like choosing change.”
Watch the Full Conversation
For the complete story, including Dr. Jugenburg’s insights on subtle versus show-off surgery styles, realistic expectations, and the future of surgical enhancement, watch the full episode.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level discussions about plastic surgery to explore what it truly means to age boldly and authentically. It challenges outdated stigmas and invites women to embrace choices that honor their health, confidence, and individuality. Whether you’re curious about surgical options or simply refining your approach to aging, this episode offers both expert knowledge and heartfelt wisdom, reminding us that the journey of aging is not about erasing time, but owning your evolution with strength and grace.
Above all, it celebrates the power of feeling comfortable and confident in your own body (on your own terms) because every woman deserves to feel at home in her skin.