My good friend Rachel, writing at Women’s Health News, talks about the trend toward women having surgery to fix the "flaws" in their body after having children:
An article in today’s New York Times
poses this very question, asking whether plastic surgery to erase the
signs of motherhood, often including a boob job, tummy tuck, and lipo,
is “necessary.”Well, of course it’s not “necessary,” which implies that there is
some kind of medical need - these ladies aren’t burn victims, they’re
mothers. One plastic surgeon quoted for the piece, and currently
marketing the “mommy makeover,” says, “The severe physical trauma of
pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding can have profound negative
effects that cause women to lose their hourglass figures.” You know,
women, you may be in charge of raising the next generation, but you
better be damn sure you’re a MILF. Please.
I agree with Rachel. There’s no need to get that tummy tuck, that boob life, erase the stretch marks. My stretch marks are a badge of honor, people, and anyone that has a problem with it knows where they can go!
I don’t have a pretty body. It’s "wrecked" because of my three children. My stomach has stretch marks and is far more like the hills of Tennessee than the plains in Nebraska. Yet I still wear a two-piece bathing suit to the beach and I post pics of it on Flickr. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to look.
But I am a hypocrite. I’d take a boob lift if it was offered to me, and I’ve said more than once that I wish I could have liposuction. I think most of us fall prey to the "body worship" of today. I mean, heck, how many times has been Brittney Spears been called fat? And in what kind of crazy world is she actually fat?
We women have the power to change perceptions. I think it all starts with not being catty about each other’s appearance. It starts with accepting our bodies the way they are and not getting that boob lift or liposuction. It’s all about being comfortable in your own skin, even if that skin is ravaged with stretch marks upon stretch marks.
What say you, mamas?
Technorati Tags: body acceptance, plastic surgeryAdd to:
I am all for plastic surgery if it is for the right reasons. I wouldn't do it for anyone but myself.
Posted by: kathylynn | October 4th, 2007 1:35 pm |
It's because of comments like these (that Britney is fat when she is far from it) that we women in America have such terrible self images. How can we ever measure up to what is portrayed to be the "norm" by all the media outlets when it is actually so far from the "norm". I am all for taking measures to improve your body if it is the best decision for you. But I still question, how many of us would really choose to go through with body altering procedurs if we weren't actually buying into the media hype of the perfect body. I for one think Britney looks fantastic just like she is!
Posted by: Kathy | October 4th, 2007 1:56 pm |
I would love to have a "perfect" body. I would love to have about 10 million dollars. I would love for all four of my kids to marry wonderful people and have really smart successful kids. The reality is, we live in a world that is full of pain, scars, and defects. And it is in how we handle life's imperfections that is the measure of true beauty. Most folks can't see that.
Posted by: Kristen | October 5th, 2007 2:35 pm |
Thanks for the link, Ivy. I completely agree with you about accepting ourselves and the marks left by our lives, but I bet you knew that already.
Posted by: Rachel | October 5th, 2007 2:51 pm |
I completely see your point and I wish I had your frame of mind. I admit it, I'm vain. Four c sections left me with a saggy belly, stretched out ab muscles that I couldn't strengthen no matter how hard I exercised, and a hard, lumpy scar. I had to have all my pants altered because I had to go up a size to fit my belly which left the waist too big. So at the same time that I had a hysterectomy I got a tummy tuck and breast implants. My self esteem needed it. I wanted to feel and look good in clothes again. My husband never complained. I did it for me. I now feel sexy which greatly improved our sex life. I still have stretch marks and a big booty but they don't bother me too much. Like I said, I wish I had your frame of mind and felt comfortable with my saggy belly and boobs but I didn't. I was not comfortable in my own skin. I didn't feel fit.
Do I look much different from before? No, not really. I wore padded push up bras and girdles. Now I just look like I lost 10 pounds.
I really don't think having the plastic surgery is the issue but like you said we shouldn't be so catty. It needs to start with the media and Hollywood. I thought Britney looked fabulous and the attack on her body was terrible. I'm so tired of magazines running stories on how quickly the stars lose their baby weight. We all know that's not the real world but it does put pressure on us to get our bodies back as soon as possible.
In a perfect world we would all feel comfortable in our own skin but if you don't and plastic surgery makes you feel better then that should be okay too. I'm so tired of all the "shoulds" we put on each other. We should breastfeed, we should have a natural birth, we should stay home, etc. I believe we should all do what makes us feel good about ourselves and not judge others. At. All.
Great post!Made me think.
Posted by: slackermommy | October 5th, 2007 9:55 pm |
I agree with you, and yet I also agree that if I had a chance and the money for new boos and a tummy tuck, I would do it. I too have the c-section mommy belly and have issues with my pants fitting properly.
I don't have the money for those procedures, so i really don't think about it except for when i go clothes shopping.
Great post!
Posted by: Mary | October 6th, 2007 10:17 am |
Women have beautiful bodies. It is so sad and disturbing to me that this society of abnormality, photoshopping, and porn make women think that it's necessary to be flawless. Surgery may erase scars on the outside - stretch marks and cellulite, but what scars is it creating on the inside? See http://theshapeofamother.com/ for a great look at women and their normal bodies.
Posted by: sara | October 6th, 2007 1:12 pm |
This is interesting. Women who wants to erase the signs of motherhood would need to fix their body through undergoing Mommymakeover procedures.It's a big help for them, particularly when they want to wear something like a two piece.
Lujille Kim
Posted by: mommymakeover procedure | February 16th, 2009 9:08 pm |