Does Mom Want a Major Makeover?

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Survey: Most Moms Would Consider Plastic Surgery to Get Pre-Baby Body Back

By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

May 6, 2011 -- Does mom want a major makeover for Mother's Day? A new survey suggests most moms would entertain the thought of a tummy tuck or breast lift to get their pre-baby body back.

The nationwide survey of mothers, commissioned by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), shows that 62% would consider plastic surgery to restore or improve their post-pregnancy body if cost were not an issue.

More than a third (37%) of mothers said they would not consider plastic surgery at all, but 30% said they would definitely, 12% would probably, and 20% would possibly consider a "mommy makeover" including one or more plastic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, and/or a tummy tuck.

Women in the South Central U.S. were the most likely to say they would definitely consider plastic surgery (34%), while women in the Northeast were the most likely to say they would not consider it at all (41%).

But cost may be an issue for many mothers. According to the ASPS, the average surgeon fee for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty in 2010 was $5,130, and most health insurance policies do not cover elective cosmetic surgery procedures.

Younger Moms Having Makeovers

Plastic surgeons say women's attitudes about plastic surgery are changing.

"In the last decade, we've seen women's attitudes about cosmetic surgery change," ASPS President Phillip Haeck, MD, says in a news release. "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."

Haeck also says the average age of a "mommy makeover" patient is getting younger.

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

Before considering a mommy makeover involving plastic surgery, 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.
• For the best results, 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.

The survey was taken online by a random sample of 1,085 mothers. The margin of error is +/-3.8%

SOURCES: Impulse Research Online Survey, conducted April 2011.News release, American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. American Academy of Plastic Surgeons: "Report of the 2010 Plastic Surgery Statistics." ©2011 WebMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved.