Reality television personality Heather Gay has openly discussed her extensive journey with cosmetic procedures, revealing she has invested approximately $200,000 in enhancements over the years and maintains she has no regrets about her choices.
A Detailed Breakdown of Procedures and Costs
The 51-year-old star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City gave a candid account during an interview with Bustle published on Wednesday. Heather, who co-owns Beauty Lab + Laser, explained that her foray into aesthetic treatments began in her 30s with Botox, which she now receives quarterly.
Her regular regimen also includes filler injections, facials, and laser hair removal. One of her more intensive treatments is Sculptra, a collagen stimulator that involves 'big long needles on your face'. She described the procedure as 'intense' but clarified it functions as a 'filler stimulant'.
Heather provided a specific cost breakdown for Sculptra, noting that a single vial costs between $800 and $1,000, with some patients requiring four to six vials per session, bringing the potential cost to around $4,000 per treatment.
Major Surgeries and Weight Loss Transformation
Her surgical history includes two nose jobs, the second being a corrective surgery, and a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). The combined cost for the second rhinoplasty and eyelid procedure was approximately $14,500. She revealed a desire for a third nose job was discouraged by her surgeon due to concerns about scar tissue.
While married to her former husband, Frank William 'Billy' Gay III, Heather underwent a 'mommy makeover', which consisted of a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. She stated her ex-husband 'wanted me to get it, and he paid for it'. At the time, she estimated the tummy tuck cost $18,000 to $20,000 and the boob job $8,000 to $12,000, noting that current prices for such a makeover can reach around $40,000.
More recently, Heather has shed 30 pounds using weight-loss medications Ozempic and Mounjaro. She explained her approach: 'If my weight goes up, I just go on it for a week or two', with a monthly cost of approximately $500, though she acknowledged it can be as high as $1,200 elsewhere.
Reflections on Beauty Standards and Public Perception
Heather reflected on her 'fourth season glow-up', which included the weight loss and $30,000 veneers. She shared that before this transformation, she 'didn't realise the currency of beauty, or how I was perceived', feeling she was more self-deprecating and less threatening beforehand.
Despite her personal satisfaction, she acknowledged the increasing artificiality of beauty standards, particularly for women on television. 'Everyone has perfect teeth, lashes, and hair', she observed, calling it the 'required uniform of a Housewife'.
Heather has faced public scrutiny, being shamed both for her weight and for using medication to lose it. 'I got shamed for being overweight and I got shamed for being on medication. So, you can't win', she told E! News last year. Despite the criticism, she affirms she feels the 'same' person and liked herself before and after her weight loss.
Concluding her financial revelation, Heather Gay stated unequivocally, 'Counting all of the things I've had done, I'm probably $200,000 into my physical appearance - and it was worth every penny.'
