Face Value

Appearance matters, but how far would you be willing to go to keep your job? With millions of Americans out of work and countless others seeking to keep the jobs they have, some older workers are looking to plastic surgery and other cosmetic changes to stay competitive in an increasingly youthful workforce.

See also: Public attitudes towards cosmetic surgery.

"You see the new generation coming up and there's an element of fear in you,"says one man who recently received a mini-facelift in hopes of staying ahead of Father Time. He and others like him feel that their aging exterior is a poor representation of the fire that still burns within them. Now, they're hoping modern technology will provide them with those youthful looks to complement the priceless experience that comes with years on the job. "You can't be slouchy, sloppy and look tired and look like yesterday's guy. You want to look like you're in that rat race with the next guy no matter what his age is."

One common fix is an adjustment to the eyebrow line to reflect a less tired appearance. Another mend works on that drooping smile line that may cause workers to appear sad or upset when they're actually not. While plastic surgery may be the answer for those looking to stay viable in a young man's workforce, countless others turn to such treatments for reasons like combating obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Regardless of the motivation, plastic surgery is becoming an increasingly popular trend among older Americans.

My Generation met with some of the men and women who are going under the knife in hopes of keeping their jobs and improving their overall quality of life.