Cosmetic surgery for mums

More and more women are opting for surgery as a way to get back their pre-baby bodies - two women tell their stories

Let's be honest – your body is never going to be quite the same after you've had children. Chances are your breasts and bum will have changed shape and your washboard stomach is a thing of the past. Then there are stretch marks, let alone 'down below'.

While many women are happy to accept or learn to love their new bodies, an increasing number are desperate to try to get their pre-children body back and decide to go under the knife. A recent All About You survey found that as many as 78% of mothers are unhappy with their bodies.

The same survey found 36% of women would consider a tummy tuck and 35% a boob job. Diane Moore, 34, an estate agent and mother of three from Warrington, has had both. She said:

'My first child was very large – 9lbs 8.5oz, my second child was born just 17 months later and then five years down the line I had another. I tried really hard to get back into shape – I went to the gym and played netball regularly – but whatever I did I couldn't get my stomach flat again.'

Tummy tuck

'Having a tummy tuck wasn't something I took lightly. Any operation carries risk and when you have three young children you have to weigh this up. Plus there was also the practical element – my husband and I run our own business and it would take me some time to recover.'

'But I decided to go for it and my husband was behind me. My body wasn't exactly making me miserable but I wanted to feel happier about the way I looked in my clothes. I wanted to look more like I did before the children were born.” Chances are your breasts and bum will have changed shape and your washboard stomach is a thing of the past

'The operation – which I had 18 months ago – cost about £7,500 and I was out of hospital in three days. A few months later I also had a breast reduction – three pregnancies had left me with HH breasts which made me look top heavy and were not very practical for playing netball!'

'I'm now happier with my body than I was – my stomach is flatter and I look better in clothes. I can pop into any shop and buy a bra rather than having to always go to largeboobs.com or similar. But my body is by no means perfect – I still need to lose some weight and will need to diet to do that. Anyone who thinks they are going to have surgery and come out looking like Kate Moss is going to be disappointed.'

While the majority of women put tummy tucks, breast enlargement or reductions and bum lifts at the top of their cosmetic surgery wish list, some women have other concerns.

Designer vagina

Janice Costa, 43, a mother of three who works in retail in London had a vaginoplasty (reduction of the labia minora) operation six weeks ago. She said: 'My last child was very large – 9lb 7oz. I was delighted to have him – he's my only boy – but I tore, wasn't sutured well and consequently my private parts never looked as they were. I felt like they were hanging too low – I didn't want to be naked in front of my husband and I even felt like they showed when I was in running shorts at the gym.'

'It affected my sex-life – it was strictly lights-off – and my self –esteem generally. I didn't realise anything could be done about until I got into a conversation with my doctor who I visit for Botox and she suggested a vaginoplasty.'

'I'm delighted with the results. It all looks much neater and I'm confident it will improve my sex life – the operation was only a few weeks ago so it's too early for that just yet! I feel much happier about myself and I'm looking forward to wearing my bikini on holiday without having to worry about bits hanging out.'

Is surgery the answer?

Dr Lucy Glancey of Glancey Medical Associates, an all-female cosmetic surgery practice in London said:

'There is no getting away from the fact that pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding do change your body and a lot of women find that hard to accept. In many cases having surgery can improve a woman's self-esteem but it will not help everybody.'

Surgery can make your breasts more pert and your tummy flatter but can it really make you happier? The jury's still out on that.