Mommy Makeover Trend: 62% of U.S. Moms Seek Plastic Surgery

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has revealed a surprising new statistic: 62-percent of mothers seek plastic surgery to get their pre-baby figures back. Financial limitations keep the majority of them from actually going through with the surgery, but the high percentage of women driven to improve their appearance after children raises interesting questions regarding their motives.

Is looking good more important to maternal-aged women than ever before? Basically, and here’s why: the same study found that the average age of women seeking mommy makeovers was lower than it was a decade ago. While the age of potential plastic surgery patients lowers, the average age of mommies rises. A separate study by the Center for Disease Control in 1970 showed that the average age for a mother during her first child’s birth was 21.4. Between 2000 and 2006, that age went from 24.6 to 25 years old.

It’s hard to say why mothers are becoming more concerned with their appearance after having children. It likely has something to do with the fact that plastic surgery has traveled leaps and bounds in recent years. The procedures associated with mommy makeovers—breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast lifts—are more advanced than ever. Patients feel that they can rely on plastic surgery to not only give them safe and effective results, but also to give them back the confidence in their appearance than they had pre-baby.

Plus, the mommy makeover has been popularized through the media and word of mouth. "This type of surgery has become much more accepted and mainstream," said Dr. Matthew Schulman, assistant professor of plastic surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "I see many more women in their 30s and 40s.”

Childbirth can wreak a fair amount of havoc on the body. The anatomical aspects of a growing belly and weight gain can follow a woman for years after birth, and the decrease in free time for workouts and a health-conscious diet can seriously age a woman’s body. "The weight gain associated with pregnancy, the loosening of the skin and stretch marks, are a major concern for them," said Dr. Schulman. "Hormonal changes, especially after a second child, can take their toll on the body.”

Even the most body-conscious mamas may have a hard time getting their old body back, as pregnancy also changes the body’s metabolism and the ability to lose weight and tone muscle. "Breasts deflate, weight settles on the hips, and thighs and stretched stomach muscles won't snap back through exercise," he added.

Many plastic surgery clinics have capitalized on the mommy makeover influx by offering a bundle of procedures at discounted prices—while these can be a good value, make sure that the plastic surgeon performing them is highly experienced as multiple surgeries at once heightens complications. Of course, the procedures can be performed separately as desired. If you’d like to learn more about mommy makeovers or to schedule a free consultation with a plastic surgeon in your area, contact us today! Our exclusive network of board-certified plastic surgeons is dedicated to performing effective and natural-looking procedures, leaving you satisfied and confident.