Magazines are filled with images of new celebrity moms flaunting svelte, fit bodies. While this is a great achievement for these women, most women are left depressed with their body after pregnancy and feeling like a stranger in their own skin. This feeling may only last a few months for some women before they are able to bounce back and regain some sense of their pre-pregnancy body, other women struggle with self-esteem issues for years.

The first thing to understand is that it’s not realistic or even healthy to get too slim too quickly after pregnancy. Celebrities also have access to resources most of us do not — including personal trainers and chefs — and they generally do not gain as much weight as the average woman. Many also follow potentially dangerous bodies.

More than 40% of women express feeling self-conscious in front of their partner, and 30% say their confidence is at an extreme low. There are several steps you can take to feel confident in your “new” body.

Most women begin to restore their confidence after they are ready to start working out and losing weight. You should not try to lose weight or exercise until at least 6 weeks post-partum, at which point it should be taken slowly while getting adequate nutrition. Brisk walks, yoga, and squats are a good place to begin when you are ready. Accept that you are probably your worst critic, and no one expects you to look perfect. You should also learn to accept and love the “battle scars,” which are evidence that you have done something amazing.

After some time has passed, you may find you have body issues that still hold you back from feeling confident. After you stop breastfeeding, and even if you never breastfed, your breasts may be left saggy and smaller in size. Many women drop a cup size after pregnancy and breastfeeding. The more children you have, the greater the effect.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet may also leave you with stubborn fat, especially on your midsection.

A growing number of women are now choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery to restore their confidence post-pregnancy. As plastic surgery becomes more , the mommy makeover has caught on with women from all walks of life who want to restore their body back to its pre-pregnancy state, as much as possible.

A mommy makeover may include breast augmentation or a breast lift, as well as a tummy tuck, liposuction, and sometimes cosmetic genitoplasty. Mommy makeovers do come at a cost: along with the financial cost, mommy makeover recovery time can take a few weeks, depending on the procedures done, and the first few days can be very painful.