Choccies, flowers... or tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic operation that is performed by a plastic surgeon to thin the abdominal region. It is also known as a tummy tuck. (Image: Karrax, via Wikimedia Commons)

What would mom get herself for Mother's Day if she had the chance? A new US survey shows that it might be a tummy tuck or breast lift.

A survey released today from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows that if cost were not an issue, 62% of mothers said that they would consider a "mommy makeover" that includes procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and/or breast lift.*

According to ASPS statistics, the number of women getting "mommy makeover" procedures is on the rise. Women had nearly 112 000 tummy tucks in 2010, up 85% since 2000; 90 000 breast lifts, up 70% since 2000; and 296 000 breast augmentations, up 39% since 2000.

"In the last decade we've seen women's attitudes about cosmetic surgery change. Today women are not afraid to admit that they love their children, but they wish their bodies looked the way they did before their first pregnancies. And they're not afraid to acknowledge that they may need a little help beyond a healthy diet and exercise," said ASPS president Phillip Haeck, MD.

Another trend... patients getting younger

Another trend that ASPS member surgeons are noticing is that the type of patient seeking "mommy makeover" plastic surgery is younger than a decade ago.

"In the past we saw a lot of women in their 50s getting these types of procedures. However, today we are seeing young mothers in their 30s coming in for procedures such as tummy tucks and breast lifts. They don't want to wait years to re-establish how they used to look. They want their pre-baby bodies back now," said Dr. Haeck.

The promise of getting her body back is what led 38-year-old Dana Van Gray to undergo surgery for a tummy tuck and breast augmentation just one year after having her last child.

"I didn't like my stomach. I started noticing a muffin top and I thought - why wait? I'm young, I'm healthy and I want to look good now," Van Gray said.

"More and more patients like Dana are coming in today asking for mommy makeovers, because women now openly talk about having these procedures. It's more accepted than it was ten years ago," said Van Gray's plastic surgeon, Allen Rosen, MD, an ASPS Member Surgeon in Montclair, New Jersey.

"The techniques and the technologies are to the point where we can do these procedures in an outpatient setting in a very safe and effective fashion, minimising the amount of downtime and pain. This appeals to our patients," said Dr. Rosen.

Van Gray says that her new and improved body not only enhanced her looks, but also her attitude.

"I feel good so I can be a better mom to my kids," Van Gray said.

If you are considering a "mommy makeover" the ASPS has these tips:

• Wait at least six months to one year after having your last child to undergo "mommy makeover" procedures;
  
• Be specific about your post-baby body goals so that your surgeon can recommend the most appropriate procedures;
  
• To optimise the final outcome, if you are trying to lose weight, do so before undergoing "mommy makeover" procedures;
  
• Find a surgeon who is board certified in plastic surgery;
  
• Ask to see before and after photos of your plastic surgeon's recent work.*For more statistics on trends in plastic surgery, read the ASPS Report of the 2010 Plastic Surgery Statistics.