Two articles in the New York Times this week got me going: Is the 'Mom Job' Really Necessary? and 'Recontouring' and Its Critics.
The first one was forwarded to me from a friend, who thought I might find the article funny and maddening at the same time. Which I did. Obviously, having given birth less than a year ago, my body is still recovering from a c-section, and I suppose I would be considered the target audience for this sort of package: The Mom Job or also known as the mommy makeover. It usually consists of three procedures: a boob job, tummy tuck and some liposuction. Which, apparently, is all it takes to give you back that perky, bouncy prenatal body.
I visited mommymakeover.com, which explains the procedures done at Marina Plastic Surgery Associates and I took the Mommy Quiz to find out what they suggested I have done. They suggest a Tummy Tuck and some Body Sculpting. I'm so glad to hear it.
I understand why women have plastic surgery but I have issues with how it is marketed, to what use and the increase in procedures. What bothers me the most about the concept of the Mom Job, besides the fact it just fuels the fire that women are supposed to somehow miraculously not be effected by pregnancy, is the idea that something wrong has happened to your body, something that made it disappear. The something is childbirth, in case you're confused. This coincides with decade of feminist work in health care to change the perception that pregnancy is an illness, an ailment that requires treatment. Now the mommy makeover is here to remind is that your post partum body is also in need of conditioning and repair.
mommymakeover.com is full of phrases that bring to mind sacrifice and highlight the idea that if you're not a yummy mummy, you must be a bad mummy:
"There's no reason to give up on your dreams of a shapely stomach."
"Would it be easier to succeed at work and at home when you're feeling great about your appearance?"
You know what would make it easier to succeed? If this crap wasn't being thrown at mothers on a daily basis. Thankfully there exists sites like Shape of A Mother that aims to show the world what post-partum bodies look like and that women shouldn't be ashamed.
Oh, and the second article? Don't get me started.
