This is timely, considering that I just posted about a site that is all about admiring post-pregnancy bodies, instead of surgically altering them.

The NYTimes has an article about “Mom Jobs” or post-pregnancy plastic surgery makeovers, with the goal of giving women their bodies “back.” What is our obsession with trying to avoid and evade change?

Aimed at mothers, it usually involves a trifecta: a breast lift with or without breast implants, a tummy tuck and some liposuction. The procedures are intended to hoist slackened skin as well as reduce stretch marks and pregnancy fat.

“The severe physical trauma of pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding can have profound negative effects that cause women to lose their hourglass figures,” he said. His practice, Marina Plastic Surgery Associates, maintains a Web site, amommymakeover.com, which describes the surgeries required to overhaul a postpregnancy body.

I don’t know about you all, but I’ve never had what could be described as an “hourglass” figure, and don’t particularly strive for one.

The article goes on to bring up the reasons why this trend could be problematic, including costs, stigmatizing mother’s bodies, and the risks associated with unnecessary surgeries.

Feministe brings up a good point though, that this is really only going to be an issue for the richest populations, since most women can’t afford a surgery that costs between $10,000 and $30,000 dollars. But I do think the statistics about the rise in plastic surgery are frightening, as well as the link to cesarean sections. Other countries with high plastic surgery cultures, like Brasil, also have extremely high c-section rates (almost 90% in some areas) and I don’t think that is a coincidence.

Thanks to Adam and Feministing for the link.