More from Miami-the Yummy Mummy Tummy!

   Today we had the pleasure of listening and watching two Brazilian Plastic Surgeons on the topic of LipoAbdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck. These two well-known surgeons were very thorough in their explanations on how they decrease risks, and improve their results. Excellent results indeed! Judging by the photographs presented, it appears that in Brazil the women are very demanding of their figures. Let me explain.

   The preoperative pix of these surgeons’ patients were on average in fantastic shape. These were not women who had let themselves go, or who had lost massive amounts of weight. These were well cared-for, in-shape bodies; women who demanded to feel good about the bodies they carried around the beaches of Rio. It was a pleasure to see them find a way to polish up, in the hands of these experts, small amounts of fat, and segments of loose skin.

   When I visited Brazil, for fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery, I observed first-hand what an active, sporting culture it was. I remember finishing up at the clinic, during the week, at about 8pm, and after returning to my apartment, cleaning up, and changing I’d head out about 9:30, to dinner, since my American stomach couldn’t hold out much longer. Not only would I still be the first one to arrive at any of the restaurants I’d choose, but on the way I would see leagues of soccer teams along the beach, groups of volleyballers practicing, marshall artists, and runners; All ages; Sweating, Laughing; Keeping their bodies in shape; The same bodies I’d see on the beach during the day. Mind you- I’m not talking about a “south beach” location- just a beach- and it was always filled with women and men wearing very little, to cover bodies of all dimensions, from grandmothers to little tots, and even expectant mothers. They were all confident and comfortable with themselves. They weren’t all model perfect- far from it- but they all showed effort- and from this effort came the attitude. They were beautiful because they wanted to be and because they worked at it. It is no wonder that in South America Aesthetic Surgery is ubiquitous, so accepted, and so much part of the culture.

   We are gaining more of this physical and aesthetic awareness in the States. We go through phases; In my opinion, we are poised for a resurgence of interest in being physically fit. It cannot come too soon- considering we are the most obese country in the world. We are also realizing that looking good and feeling good about it is not an impulse of which to be ashamed. Rather, we are beginning to embrace in America that taking care of ourselves is not selfish, but just.

More on this issue some other time.

-drB