The latest plastic surgery figures are in and they corroborate what we already know from my own practice: consumers are increasingly opting for the kind of youthful rejuvenations that only cosmetic procedures can provide.
The new stats from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the oldest and largest clinical plastic surgery organization for professionals, clearly show that even in a slow economy, Americans still pursue a better appearance. About 14 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2011, up 5% from the previous year, signaling year-over-year growth for two consecutive years.
We, at the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Paramus, NJ believe that although plastic surgery may still be considered by some to be a luxury, it’s upward trend may reflect more people wanting to improve their opportunities in the fiercely competitive job market.
The newly released figures from ASPS also include information that among the roughly 1.6 million plastic surgeries in 2011, the top five were: Breast augmentation (up 4%); nose reshaping; liposuction; eyelid surgery and facelift (up 5%), which bested tummy tucks for the first time since 2004. I believe this might be caused by older job-seeking baby boomers. The biggest surprise, in my estimation, is the interest in chin augmentation, usually undergone by men. It gained over 70%. Lip augmentation, typically requested at the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by our female patients, was also up about 50%.
Overall, the largest growth trend was in minimally-invasive procedures (up 6%), with some treatments involving fillers and fat injections, up anywhere between 20%-30%. On the lower end of the spectrum, reconstructive plastic surgery increased 5 percent in 2011, with breast reconstruction up 3%.
For more information on how the Robert Zubowski MD Center for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery can help you realize your personal aesthetic goals, please contact Ann Carbone, our Practice Manager.