The Thinking Woman's Guide to Surgery

HARRY VORSTEHER / CORBIS

The 20 years between 35 and 40 are the most fascinating of a woman's life. I know this because I'm about to turn 39 for the sixth time. Aging is to women what Apollo 13 is to space travel; what kryptonite is to Superman. Show me a woman who is happy with her age and I'll show you the electroconvulsive-therapy scorch marks. Oh yes, you try to convince yourself that there are lots of older women who are still attractive. There's Goldie Hawn and who was that woman in The First Wives Club ? Oh, hold on. That was Goldie...

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