The Ultimate Mommy Makeover

By The Surgeons of Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg

Published on October 30, 2006

Women Share Their Stories

For today's women, sagging bodies are no longer an inevitable aftereffect of childbearing. More mothers are turning to plastic surgery to regain their figures when diet and exercise alone won't do the trick-and talking openly about their procedures.

Many tummy tuck patients and breast surgery patients are mothers who want to restore their youthful shape. With the increasing awareness of plastic surgery, we find more are discussing their surgeries publicly.

The following are just a few of their stories.

Alicia Lidster, 47, Spotsylvania, Virginia

Alicia Lidster gave birth to her youngest child nine years ago. Despite compliments from her husband, she felt unattractive because her midsection and breasts were sagging from multiple pregnancies. She consulted with her doctor at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg and opted for a tummy tuck and breast lift in May 2005. "Before the surgery, I was very self-conscious... Now, I feel better and look better," says Alicia, a stay-at-home mother who also has four grown children. She feels so much more confident that she donned a bathing suit last year to swim with her youngest daughter for the first time.

Chantelle Mullen, 34, Spotsylvania, Virginia

Ms. Mullen worked hard to lose the weight she gained after three pregnancies, but she could not tighten her sagging skin. "I decided on plastic surgery for the problems I knew I couldn't fix with diet and exercise,"Chantelle says. Her doctor at Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg performed a breast lift and tummy tuck in August 2005. "I am more confident and comfortable in my clothing. I move better and don't lose my breath as quickly with the kids. I am 100 percent better physically and mentally than I was before," says Chantelle, a mother of three who works full time as a lab assistant.

Tammy Loughman, 35, Orange , Virginia

Tammy Loughman discovered that motherhood diminished her small breasts and, although she lost the pregnancy weight, the weight fluctuations from bearing two children over nine pounds each left her stomach skin sagging and wrinkled. For years, this condition made her very self-conscious. Recent life-changing events prompted Tammy to contact Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, where in February her doctor performed a mini tummy tuck and breast augmentation. "I saw the surgery as a new beginning-an investment in and reward to myself for all I've been through and an affirmation for moving on with my life," says Tammy, a mother of two who works as an administrative assistant.

Tina Baker, 36, Spotsylvania, Virginia

Ms. Baker has had two Cesarean sections, two ectopic pregnancy surgeries and a gallbladder operation, not to mention a stretched abdomen and sagging breasts from her pregnancies. Bothered by the changes in her body, Tina recently consulted with Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg, where her doctor performed a mini tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation and lift in August of 2006. "I'm really glad I had these procedures done. They've been a big boost for how I feel about myself," says Tina, a mother of two who works as an assistant branch manager and office clerk. Tina is just starting to enjoy her slimmer shape as her body recovers from the recent surgery.

Nationwide, plastic surgeons performed 76 percent more breast lifts and 115 percent more tummy tucks in 2005 than in 2000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Though childbearing is not the catalyst for all these procedures-indeed, tummy tucks are performed on men as well-motherhood probably fueled many of them.

About Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg

Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg (PSSF) has been providing cosmetic surgery to residents in the Fredericksburg area since 1983. Our board certified surgeons are dedicated to achieving natural-looking results through a team approach to patient care. We employ state-of-the-art equipment and proven techniques at our accredited medical facility. For more information, please call (540) 371-7730 or visit us at www.plasticsurgeryservices.com