According to a 2004 survey, roughly a third of individuals contemplating plastic surgery had household incomes below $30,000. Today, the plastic surgery patient is a teacher, law enforcement officer and stay-at-home mom, Dr. Laurie L. Essig, professor at Middlebury College tells The New York Times.

Moms are now getting what’s known as a “mommy makeover” — a combination of cosmetic procedures, often including a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast implants — to get back to their pre-pregnancy shape or even better, writes Jeannie Kever of theHouston Chronicle.

Some moms want surgery to repair those areas that lifestyle changes cannot. Kever gives an example of a woman who leads a healthy, active lifestyle. After telling her daughters “this is not something teenagers or even someone in their early 20s should consider. It’s not to attract some boy,” Thuy Roque, a petroleum engineer, decided to have the mommy makeover.

Doctors have noticed an increase in the number of patients coming in for mommy makeovers. After seeing two to three patients a month when he began his program “Makeovers for Mom,” just three years ago, Dr. Mark Schusterman of Houston’s Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center now sees five to six per week, Diane Mapes reports for MSNBC.

Moms included in the article noted that they aren’t slaves to surgery: Rachel Ervin, a first-time mom at 28 years old who chose a skin-tightening laser procedure over a tummy tuck, said, “I’m educated and I’m definitely of the school of thought that women don’t need it - it shouldn’t define us. But when you have a baby, your entire body changes and your whole self just gets pushed to the side.”

A licensed psychotherapist interviewed for the article, Diana Lynn Barnes, explains that though she isn’t opposed to plastic surgery, having procedures done so quickly postpartum can be problematic. Also founder of the Center for Postpartum Health in California, Barnes explains, “The body has gone through changes, the psyche has gone through changes and it’s not a time to be making dramatic decisions about one’s body.” Clearly not every woman will regret having cosmetic surgery, but Barnes suggests all doctors screen for women who may be depressed.

Insurance rarely covers plastic surgery. The mommy makeover, for instance, can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 (or more) depending on the combination of procedures, writes Mapes. To pay for these procedures, many people take out loans. Singer writes about the many finance companies (e.g., Capital One) that offer patients credit. The appeal of financing plastic surgery is often compared with financing a car, Singer adds. A patient of Dr. Lisa Cassileth, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, says “I financed my car. Why shouldn’t I finance my face?”

For some, plastic surgery is an investment in their career. University of Texas professor Daniel Hamermesh told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that attractive people have higher paying jobs and more success, adding that “the pay differential can be as much as 15 percent more.” This has prompted more men to have plastic surgery to level the working field.

“Doctors and surgeons in Atlanta and around the country are seeing more men wanting to have their noses streamlined, tummies tucked, face and eyelids lifted and cheeks plumped,” Joyner writes. From real estate agents and hairdressers to lawyers and business professionals, male patients also see appearance as a key to success, or a way to keep up with competition. The men and plastic surgeons quoted in the article discussed the pressure of competing with younger professionals and looking their best.

All the patients featured in these articles were satisfied with their procedures. But along with the perks of perfection and financing opportunities, there are several considerations. Singer writes that some doctors “worry that easy access to credit could induce people to sign up for (and perhaps regret) procedures they otherwise might not be able to afford.” Also, it’s not uncommon for patients to be without healthcare coverage, because it’s too expensive. This becomes problematic if complications occur or more surgery is needed.

See also:

Cutting through Plastic Surgery Myths

Medical Spas: Staying Safe

Understanding Laser Resurfacing

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Aging

Fact or Fiction: Lip Product Addictions