Easier choice for new mums

FROM flab to fab in 48 hours — the latest in mummy makeovers is a growing trend towards tummy tucks with one cosmetic clinic recording a 20% increase in post- pregnancy procedures.

Going under the knife is no longer a no-no for women anxious to reclaim their pre-pregnancy shape — the Harley Medical Group (HMG) Clinic, for instance, has seen a significant upsurge in the number of women seeking liposuction, tummy tucks and breast uplift.

HMG director Liz Dale said many women opt for surgery because after pregnancy, or substantial weight loss, as they can find their abdominal muscles are weak and skin is sagging around the stomach area.

“Despite exercise and diet, this may be difficult to shift and can cause self-consciousness and anxiety,” said Ms Dale.

“During the procedure the muscles can be tightened and excess skin removed, leaving a firmer, flatter abdomen. Many of our patients choose to combine a tummy tuck procedure (abdominoplasy) with having liposuction to their waist area,” she said.

The tummy tuck procedure takes around two hours under general anaesthetic and usually requires a one or two night stay in hospital.

This penchant for nip and tuck is not shared by Simply Be, the online shopping company dedicated to curvy women.

Making clever use of cover-ups and figure fixers, SimplyBe caters for women of “real shapes and sizes”, priding itself in accentuating their assets while playing down their problem areas.

Yesterday SimplyBe.ie launched its search to find Ireland’s curviest woman. The SimplyBe Curvy winner will be the 2009 face of SimplyBe and will grace the cover of the Ireland Spring/Summer 2009 Simply Be catalogue. She will be a size 14, proud of it and in no rush to go under the knife.

To enter just visit: www.simplybe.ie or freephone 1800 81 8890