Women, whether they had children or not, are under a lot of pressure for everything that concerns their looks. Perfect women always seem young, relaxed and thin, sometimes even skinny. However, if some women have unfounded complexes, other have serious issues. These women feel really bad and would rather pay for cosmetic surgery than live with an obsession, especially if they don’t want any more kids. For them, plastic surgery is a perfect solution.
These women are burdened with aesthetic issues that are truly in the way. Despite this, they can find it difficult to talk about their problems or about cosmetic surgery by fear of being judged, even if some surgeries are deemed necessary enough for governments to cover the costs in whole or in part.
Among the most common surgeries sought by mothers, we find the tummy tuck and breast surgeries.
Abdominoplasty or panniculectomy
After several pregnancies, some women develop what we call an abdominal apron, which is a loosening of the skin accompanied by an accumulation of fat that relaxes the abdomen and makes the belly “drop”. While a small apron can be easy to accept, it becomes annoying and burdensome when it starts covering the pubic bone in whole or in part. When this happens, some governments cover panniculectomy and even abdominoplasty.
This may, in some clinics, be combined with other interventions involving the abdomen such as tubal ligation or hysterectomy.
Abdominoplasty in brief
Cost
Approximately $ 7,000
Requirements
- Do not smoke three to six weeks before the surgery
- Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory during the two weeks preceding surgery
- Cannot be performed if you suffer from heart or lung disease
- Must have given birth more than two months prior
Convalescence
- 1-2 days of hospitalization
- 2-3 weeks without work
- Several weeks without holding children
Breast reduction, breast lifts and implants
The breasts are put to the test during pregnancy and lactation. While some women are ending up with only a few stretch marks and a different bra size, others cannot recognize these breasts any longer. These women are often suffering from low self-esteem, are afraid of being naked or even of bathing, and these fears affect their sexuality, sometimes even their love life. These women usually resort to breast lift or breast implants.
Other women suffer from back pain because of the extra weight that their breasts bring to their body. These women seek breast reduction.
Breast reduction usually involves three incisions through which the doctor will remove fat and glands, cut the excess skin and carve the nipple. The Government repays this in full if the doctor removes enough glandular tissue. In Quebec, the minimum is 250 grams.
The breast lift is used to correct sagging breasts after a major weight loss or breastfeeding. The operation is quite simple; it involves removing some skin under the breast and around the nipple and to reshape the remaining skin.
Finally, there are several types of implants that can increase the size of your breasts and many reasons that can motivate you to want them. You may simply want to increase the volume of your breasts if you find them too small, of course, but the implants are also used to correct a difference in volume between the two breasts, or to reform sagging breasts or breasts that have lost volume after pregnancy. This is an operation that is performed under general anaesthesia.
Breast surgery in brief
Cost
When not covered by insurance, breast surgeries cost between $5,000 and $8,000.
Requirements
- Refrain from smoking for six weeks before surgery and six weeks that follow.
- Pregnancy should not follow the surgery.
- Risk of not being able to breastfeed.
Convalescence
During the first 6 weeks, it is not advisable to carry heavy loads and lift arms.
Do you want to go elsewhere?
Several companies offer to send you in a lovely environment under the sun where your cosmetic surgery will be cheaper. These companies often sell the idea on being on holiday during convalescence in countries such as Cuba (renowned for the quality of its medical interventions) and Tunisia.
First, you should know that the College of Physicians and Surgeons disapproves this kind of service because of the risks related to the interventions and all the uncertainty that surrounds these foreign clinics.
In addition, companies that act as intermediaries between you and your surgeon usually charge fees and take a percentage of the overall cost of packages in addition to letting you pay the airfare, hotel and miscellaneous expenses. Therefore, before making that choice, you need to calculate all costs and make sure you do not lose in the end.
Also keep in mind that if you choose this option, the postoperative follow-up is virtually non-existent since the clinics will be out of reach if complications arise during the coming months.
Finally, if you do decide to go, take some time to read testimonials and ask questions to find out the conditions under which you will be cared for and avoid unpleasant surprises.
