My Beautiful Mommy: Solution or Problem?

"My Beautiful Mommy" is a book written for kids to help explain mom's cosmetic surgery to them. It is written by Micharl Salzhauer MD, a Florida plastic surgeon who claims that over half his cosmetic patients bring their children to the office with them. This must be a Florida phenomenon since we almost never have children brought in to a cosmetic consultation. children usually are not interested and often are distractions during this type of visit.

The book contains drawings of a stylized mommy with a body that resembles that of Barbie. The book is centered around a mommy explaining to her young daughter about her upcoming nose job and tummy tuck. The drawings also show breast enhancement, but this is not discussed. The little girl is afraid that mommy will look different, and says that her mommy is already the prettiest in the world.
While it is not a disaster, the book deals with a subject that most young children are not interested in and it's emphasis on the importance of beauty is probably inappropriate for a child who is in the process of forming their own body image.
While appearance is undoubtedly important, a focus on beauty above all is likely to lead to an unhappy individual. We don't need more teenagers undergoing cosmetic surgery and we don't need more self enraptured individuals who think that an attractive appearance is all that matters and that it entitles them to flaunt the standards for responsible behavior. Certain Hollywood celebrities come to mind. Books like this have a focus that is inappropriate for a young child. Children understand someone being out of commission or "sick". A parent should be able, if necessary, to discuss this without the help of a prepared text.

Gerald N. Bock MD
California Skin & Laser Center
Stockton & Lodi, CA