What is a “mommy makeover?”
A mommy makeover is aimed at women of child bearing age and focuses on the two body parts that are almost always affected by pregnancy and aging, the breasts and abdomen. Post baby bodies is another term for the “mommy makeover” and it often includes a breast augmentation (with or without a lift) and a tummy tuck.
Recent studies, by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have pointed out the high number of women and “moms” who seek to reverse the impact of pregnancy and aging on their bodies. Pregnancy affects each woman differently, with age and genetics playing a role in how the body recovers or ages.
With cosmetic surgery becoming a main stream phenomenon, women no longer have to accept their deflated or sagging breasts and lose or stretched skin from having their children like the generations of women before.
One mother, who during her last pregnancy gained 55 pounds, was embarrassed about how she looked after the birth of her second child. She had stretched, loose skin on her stomach after the birth of her second child and even though she did a hundred sit-ups in the morning and 100 sit-ups each night, nothing would make her abdomen flat. Add the lost fullness and deflated appearance of her post baby breasts and she felt very frustrated.
After 3 years of exercising without the results she wanted, she sought out to have her own “mommy makeover” of her post baby body. Now when she works out she can see the results of her hard work!
Despite some claims that there are no “intrinsic abnormality to the breasts or abdomen” the problem is that we did a survey of board certified cosmetic surgeons and their patients found that the majority of women seeking cosmetic surgery after pregnancy are in fact uncomfortable and embarrassed with their bodies and just want to feel “normal” again.
What is the cost to them if they don’t do anything about how they feel?
Twenty years ago, a woman did not think she could do something about it, and she covered up with discreet clothing. But now women don’t have to go on feeling self-conscious or resentful about their appearance. This is because 20 years ago cosmetic surgery was only for the rich and famous, considered vain and was not talked about.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) doctors nationwide performed over 325,000 “mommy makeover procedures” in 2006. This is up 11% from 2005. The majority of women do not view cosmetic surgery as the easy way out of exercising or going to the gym. In fact, many women have already spent months in the gym with a trainer before they even seek out the opinion of a board certified cosmetic surgeon. There are some things going to the gym just can’t fix.
When it can be done safely, the “mommy makeover” of a post baby body offers many advantages. There is only one surgery, therefore one recovery period, which means less down time at home or away from work!
Copyright (c) 2007 Dr. Robert Kenevan