Moms Getting Nipped and Tucked

I read an interesting article on msnbc.com that discusses a new trend in cosmetic surgery, moms opting for post-pregnancy plastic surgery. This "mommy makeover" often includes a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction. Well, this subject is dear to me because I've had two kids and have considered some restoration options for my body. Not that I hate my body but after my pregnancies, things didn't quite bounce back the way I would've liked. They hardly ever do.

Here's what childbirth does to a woman's body:

Often, abdominal skin that becomes stretched during pregnancy doesn’t snap back after the baby is born. In addition, the rectus abdominis muscles, which run vertically, can separate and become lax, adding to the abdominal protrusion, explains plastic surgeon Dennis C. Hammond, M.D., of the Center for Breast and Body Contouring in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The breasts often sag after delivery and/or breastfeeding because the skin covering them gets overstretched when breasts become engorged during pregnancy and nursing but remains lax after they return to their pre-pregnancy size. The result is less support for the breasts. Some women also lose breast volume as a result of pregnancy.

Um...yeah...that sounds about right.

I wonder sometimes if we as women overthink it. We are so critical of our bodies and maybe even a bit obsessed. Some men proudly sport their pot bellies and don't think twice about it. Why are we so ashamed of a process so natural?