OUR TOWN : AGEISM IN CORPORATE AMERICA.

Byline: Jane Glenn Haas Orange County Register

Nip and tuck - or lose your job?

Vanity, vanity, vanity. Thy name is your boss.

And feminism, which is all about an individual's right to choose, still has a long way to go. Women are making choices, all right, but for all the wrong reasons.

Last week's column asked: Should women age gracefully or get cosmetic surgery?

Calls, letters and e-mail from 28 women confirm the wisdom of the doctors who majored in cosmetic surgery: Most women want eye jobs, collagen injections, breast augmentations, chemical peels, liposuction and face lifts.

And in an era of managed care and diminished medical coverage, they are still going to spend big dollars to change their appearance.

Women want to look better so they will be more acceptable.

Blame it on the men.

Blame it on the media.

Blame it on a need to get a job.

Of all the compelling responses to my query, the most revealing came from GramaCJ, as her cyberhandle reads:

``It would be wonderful if we could age gracefully, be accepted for what we are and still fulfill our dreams and expectations - but some of us age more quickly than others,'' she wrote.

``At age 50-1/2, I had eyelid surgery and had the bags beneath my eyes removed by laser.

``You see, I looked older than my years and was facing downsizing at my job after 12 years of employment. I had an interview at a sister company three weeks before my surgery without success. I have just had another interview with the same company - after surgery - which has resulted in a second interview being scheduled.

``My skills hadn't changed in a month and I don't know if I will get the job, but isn't it amazing that after surgery I was at least able to get a second interview?

``Needless to say, I believe we not only should put our best face forward, but I think it's now become necessary.''

Sad, GramaCJ, but apparently true.

And lucky for you that you had the dollars.

As Ronda Scott of Costa Mesa said, ``Unfortunately, most of the time wealthy women are the only ones who can afford that kind of surgery.''

Just one woman had the good grace to point out that men are in the same old-age boat as women. Men also get bags and circles, and don't always look distinguished as the years take their toll.

So lift age away, said Judy McCormack of Anaheim.

``I figure if your livelihood depends on surgery, be it man or woman, you had better either nip or tuck or change jobs,'' she said.

Wendi Dahlin of Huntington Beach said she has nothing against women who go under the knife, but it's probably not for her.

``We age. We get older and that's just the way it is,'' she said.

``If you really want to feel young, which is really where it's at, a good way to do that is to volunteer your time and services to work with children.''

True, Wendi. The kids judge you on hug value, not hair color and youthful appearance.

So the debate goes on and our angst continues.

For my part, I've decided to keep lightening my hair.

Cosmetic surgery?

Ask me again when I get my credit cards paid off.

MEMO: The Our Time column appears Tuesdays.