Many women who have are too young to have considered any cosmetic surgery procedures find themselves dealing with the subject after one or more pregnancies. For many, the idea of having the belly flattened seems an act of mere vanity until faced with the consequences of bearing their children. While you may be in love with your child, you don’t have to love the sagging muscles and stretched, displaced body tissues. Mothers often pay a high post pregnancy price for the privilege of giving birth. Just a few of the complications in even a standard birth can include such problems as:

• Diastasis recti, or separated abdominal muscles
• Stretched skin and large folds of skin
• Increased fatty deposits
• Loss of confidence and depression from these conditions

When you’ve waited some time and taken the normal steps to get back to as good a shape as possible, but you’re still dissatisfied with your belly, it may be time to consult with your OB/GYN and get a referral to an experienced cosmetic surgeon to discuss a tummy tuck post pregnancy. There are several procedures, such as a abdominoplasty or panniculectomy, that might be appropriate to deal with your situation. Only a decade ago such procedures were largely limited to older and postmenopausal women. Today, however, the American Society of Plastic Surgery reports that the average woman having a tummy tuck is under the age of 35 and has at least two young children. In fact, it is reported that the number of such abdominal procedures nearly doubled between 2000 and 2009 and exceeded 110,000 treatments. With today’s fashions and unrelenting focus on personal appearance, many women feel that this is a safe and affordable way to reclaim at least part of what it cost their bodies to become mothers. It also allows them to resume some of the physical activities that their post pregnancy bellies prevented or hindered. What does a Tummy Tuck Post Pregnancy Involve? If you’re considering a tummy tuck after pregnancy, it’s wise to understand what such a procedure involves. First, understand that it is, in fact, a serious medical operation. All such medical procedures involve inherent risks that must be weighed, particularly in light of your own medical condition. Therefore, any such consideration starts with a visit to both your general practitioner and OB/GYN. The second thing to understand is that, according to most doctors, a tummy tuck will cause a considerable amount of discomfort for at least 10 to 14 days. Depending on your exact procedure, this can extend to as much as a month and limit your normal activities, including mommy functions. While specifics vary, your surgeon is going to make a horizontal incision across your belly between the pubic bone and navel. That incision can be as large as the entire length of you abdomen. One this cut is made, your skin is pulled back and the unnecessary fat is removed. After this, your skin is pulled back and taughtly stretched. You’ll usually get a new belly button hole in the skin and any excess skin is then removed. As indicated, there are a number of variations, including a lipoabdominoplasty and the mini-tuck. Whichever is used, you’ll spend a number of days hunched over because of the purposely over-stretched skin that results from the operation. You know that birth brought pain and tummy tucks follow suit. That means you’ll be using a lot of pain medications  that will slow you down for a time, as well. The mommy tuck may be what the doctor ordered but don’t think of it as a simple procedure. Make sure and your family are ready for you to be out of circulation for some time if you opt for this popular procedure.

You’ve heard of the generation gap and the gender gap, but have you heard of the beauty gap, a combination of the two? Saying that women are overqualified to advise men about “aging gracefully” is an understatement. The path hasn’t always been so smooth — with all that breaking through and leaning in — and there have been more than a few cosmetic disasters along the way. But nowadays, women are looking pretty darn great as they hit 50 and beyond, often better than their male counterparts. Some believe it’s just a matter of time before “just for men” salons will be popping up all over town. A few already exist that offer manscaping: facials, highlights, waxing, manicures and pedicures that cater specifically to male needs. Not surprisingly, Boomers — who expected to stay forever young — have led the way. Eager for skin and hair products that serve anti-aging purposes, many midlife men regularly use hair color, botox, lasers and other cosmetic procedures. The next generation is not far behind. Young men want products of their own, not only to delay signs of aging, but to enhance their current appearance as well. Call it equal opportunity — or perhaps equal opportunism — but there is no doubt that men’s grooming practices are being carefully watched by the cosmetic industry. Already this demographic shows huge potential, and serious economic consequences are imminent, should more men catch the beauty bug. The good news? Guys have begun to see advantages to enhancing their appearance, a focus once considered outside their domain. The not-so-good news? Men may soon head down a perilous path that women have been traveling for decades. Whether men’s interest in cosmetic products and services is viewed positively or negatively, there are clear reasons to believe this trend will likely continue. 1. Men Want In: Our culture’s emphasis on youth and beauty does not discriminate. Age-defying promotions in the media target both men and women. Ads for hair dyes, testosterone supplements and erectile dysfunction meds are as ubiquitous as those for feminine beauty products. While women’s magazines have been attacked for digitally enhancing their female models, male images are often equally unrealistic. When men of a certain age do appear in the media, they are often portrayed with humor (or derision) as they struggle with what it means to age in today’s culture. Meanwhile, the always-ready virile male with six-pack abs and a thick head of hair is presented as the ideal image of masculinity. Consequently, guys of all ages are beginning to take notice to the underlying message, “pay more attention to maintaining your appearance and you, too, shall be happy and successful.” 2. Beauty Economics. Today, the urgency to look young and attractive is especially important when jobs are on the line. In a stubbornly lean employment market, aging men find it’s harder to secure work after turning 50 and once there, some believe their age keeps them from being promoted. While looking good has been proven to give job applicants an advantage, excelling appears to be increasingly tied to a person’s appearance as well. This strikes men and women alike. The short-term investment in plastic surgery is viewed by some men as having long-term economic benefits. 3. The New Male: Sociologically speaking, male identity has undergone dramatic changes over the past several decades. While attractiveness has always been important to both genders, men were supposed to look good in a naturally rugged way. Pampering was not considered masculine and those who worked at being attractive were often dismissed as vain or insecure. Beautiful men were even questioned about their sexual orientation or called metrosexual. Once a pejorative term, metrosexuality has virtually lost its meaning as men all over the world, in cities and rural areas, now show interest in looking good. 4. He/ She/Us: While there is a cultural emphasis on youth and beauty, we’re also seeing a blending of gender roles. More women are working and bringing home the bread for their families. More men are raising the kids, staying at home and even baking the bread. In dual-career families, attitudes toward child rearing and domestic chores have shifted so that men are expected to share these responsibilities. Male celebs now embrace roles once typical only played by females — as chefs, stylists and homemakers — and it’s only a matter of time before the everyday man does so as well. With this shift come the routines and habits that support these new roles. 5. The Better Profile. As more people delay marriage, and about one out of two end in divorce (with second marriage divorce rate being even higher), there are more men in the dating scene than ever before. Being a good provider once seemed enough to attract potential suitors, but not anymore. Women today are more independent, personally and financially, so men feel they have to offer other assets, including passions, interests and good looks. Midlife men report feeling uncomfortable posting unedited self-portraits on dating websites, worried that their true age and appearance will turn potential suitors away — a concern women have faced for years. 6. In and Out Dermatology: While cosmetic surgery was once viewed as ‘fixing’ physical features — burns, acne scars, disfigurements, etc. — non-invasive dermatological procedures are now considered part of many people’s routine skin care regimen. Retin A, exfoliation, Fraxel and other lasers are regularly used by patients for anti-aging purposes. Ultrasound technology that stimulates the production of collagen and results in tighter skin has become increasingly popular among working men. Too busy for the down time that traditional face-lifts require, these ‘in and out’ procedures appeal to men who want to appear refreshed and healthier or have others to believe their good looks come naturally. 7. All for One, One for All: No longer are cosmetic procedures for the rich and famous or aging woman only. As plastic surgery and non-invasive treatments are marketed to the masses, more everyday men and women — some as young as age 18 and as old as 85 — are asking for surgical alterations. There is less shame and secrecy involved, as more people talk openly about the work they get done. Some celebs even boast about theirs, displaying the before and after photos as if surgery is a quick and easy solution to their beauty needs. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of men seeking cosmetic procedures has skyrocketed (a 106% increase over the past 15 years), with over one million men undergoing surgery for aesthetic purposes in the U.S. alone. While there will always be fundamental differences between genders, the beauty gap is clearly closing. Men are no longer immune to the desire for good looks and the wish to maintain them as they age, nor are they restricted from solutions to attain these goals. My next post here will be about how to achieve the ‘beauty balance’ — making the most of one’s assets without losing sight of who you are — a challenge many women have achieved over the past few decades. Consider this an invitation to men into the world of beauty, but a warning as well: The slope is a slippery one. Women have been there, done that, and have a lot they can teach men about what they’ve learned along the way. Remember, aging is a universal experience, as is the yearning to feel vital and attractive. In the end, we’re all in this together.

*******Vivian Diller, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in New York City. She serves as a media expert on various psychological topics and as a consultant to companies promoting health, beauty and cosmetic products. Her book, “Face It: What Women Really Feel As Their Looks Change” (2010), edited by Michele Willens, is a psychological guide to help women deal with the emotions brought on by their changing appearances. For more information, please visit my website at www.VivianDiller.com; and continue the conversation on Twitter @ DrVDiller.     View this original article at:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vivian-diller-phd/the-beauty-gap-is-closing_b_4207619.html?utm_hp_ref=style&ir=Style

Happiness is an elusive emotion that varies in definition depending on the person: for your sister, it may be a good book and a warm blanket, and for your brother it may be an afternoon of undisturbed football. Others simply want to look as good as they feel, and their crooked nose, weak jaw, or acne scars aren’t helping. So why not change what you don’t love to improve your own happiness? Cosmetic surgery often conjures up images of celebrities or women, seeking to look even more beautiful than before. However, recent studies have shown that men are seeking cosmetic surgery more now than they ever have been before—and for good reasons.

It’s Not Uncommon

Statistics by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show 750,074 men had some form of cosmetic surgery in 2010, compared to 8,586,740 women. The top five procedures in 2011 for men were lipoplasty, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, gynecomastia, and facelifts; or liposuction, nose jobs, eyelid surgery, breast tissue enlargement, and the tightening of facial skin.

The number of men undergoing cosmetic procedures has increased 121% from 1997. Several celebrities have begun undergoing plastic surgery with more fervor: Michael Jackson was infamous in his later years due to extensive surgery. Other A-listers like Bruce Jenner, Sylvester Stalone, Gene Simmons, Kenny Rogers, and even Barry Manilow have gone under the knife.

So why are they doing it?

The University of Texas recently released the results of a study they performed on the workplace: pretty people are more successful, in a variety of ways.  They’re hired sooner, receive promotions quicker, and are even paid more than some of their less-attractive co-workers, regardless of qualifications. Another study in Psychology Today revealed that good-looking salespeople tend to bring in more money for their companies, which in turn makes their employer view them as a hard worker and valuable asset. This study focused on the likelihood of the customer to purchase from an attractive person versus their likelihood to purchase from a less attractive salesperson.  This principle was referred to as “the pleasure of dealing with good-looking people,” where the customer would likely buy from the attractive salesperson in a subconscious effort to increase their chances of mating with the individual.

A surgical procedure that will make you happier and more successful – what more do you want?

The popular trend among plastic surgery for men today is no longer the small nose-and-chin look of Leo DiCaprio or Tobey Maguire. Instead, it’s the square-jaw look of celebrities like Michael Fassbender and Daniel Craig to increase the appearance of masculinity. If such a dramatic change isn’t quite what you’re considering, don’t worry: there’s a wide variety of cosmetic procedures that can alter any look.

Often, men seek cosmetic plastic surgery to alter things that simple working out can’t do: excess skin after weight loss, loosened skin from sun exposure or age, unbalanced facial features. With procedures that are less invasive and require less healing time than ever before, some procedures will have you back in the office the very next day. Don’t be on the line about your appearance: it’s something you have to live with for the rest of your life, so you should be happy with it. Besides, if your new good looks don’t help you get a raise, your new sense of confidence certainly will!

Contact us for more information on what your desired plastic surgery procedure entails.