Guest post: the rise of the ‘mommy makeover’ in the UK
There is a trend among mums that started in the US and seems to have made its way over here – it’s the “m0mmy makeover”. Now, for those not 100 per cent sure what to think about this trend, or even what it is, here’s a look into the whats, whys and whos. Hopefully you’ll find reading about it an eye-opening experience!
As mentioned, the trend is already big in the states, and is getting more and more popular. According to figures released last year by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), women had almost 112,000 tummy tucks in 2010 – up 85 per cent since 2000. They had 90,000 breast lifts, (up 70 per cent since 2000) and 296,000 breast augmentations (up 39 per cent since 2000).
A survey by ASPS also revealed that if cost were not an issue, 62 per cent of mums said that they would consider a “mommy makeover” which includes procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation with implants and/or a breast lift. And now it seems that women in the UK aren’t far behind in their wish for help to get their pre-baby bodies back, with a growing number visiting trusted cosmetic surgery providers like MYA.
For anyone wondering who the women having these procedures are, they may find it interesting that, according to Texas-based cosmetic surgeon, Dr Jennifer L Walden, the women seeking “mommy makeovers” are younger than those undergoing the treatments a decade ago. It used to be mostly women in their 50s getting these procedures, but nowadays more mothers in their late 20s, 30s, and early 40s are choosing them.
Now for the big one: why are more and more women choosing to have “mummy makeovers”? Arizona-based surgeon Dr Bryan W Gawley MD believes that while having children may bring a woman joy beyond imagining, the thought that the body she enjoyed prior to motherhood may be forever lost can be enough to cause serious emotional turmoil. He says she may feel as “a loss of self-confidence and decreased feelings of sensual appeal”.
Dr Gawley suggests that a “mommy makeover” can “restore your body to its most alluring appearance while increasing things as diverse as self-confidence and clothing options.”
It’s an understandable situation: a woman has had her baby, she just assumed all her pre-baby clothes will fit again, and look as good as ever. So when they don’t, of course she is going to be disappointed. But aren’t magic knickers enough? Surely, if no one can tell you’ve got a saggy belly and not exactly perky boobs when you’ve got your clothes on, it doesn’t matter?
Well, Dr Walden stresses that the majority of women opting for “mommy makeovers” are not doing it for a husband, partner or friend, they are doing it so they themselves can look and feel good again. We can assume this means being able to stand in front of the mirror without the granny pants, reinforced bra and weird shorts that make you look like you’re going cycling, and like what you see!
