The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery released the results of its 
annual survey this week for 2009, revealing a small increase in the number of non-surgical procedures and a moderate decrease in cosmetic surgeries such as abdominoplasty, liposuction and breast augmentation.
According to the aesthetic society, overall demand for cosmetic treatments dropped only two percent in 2009. While plastic surgeons were clearly affected by the recession, many around the country are seeing strong demand in their communities and are therefore very optimistic.
Here in Fairfax, Dr. Hess says that in 2009 his practice saw an increase of 11.5 percent over 2008.
Doctor Robert Grenley of Seattle Plastic Surgery says his practice saw fewer patients during late 2008 and early 2009, followed by increasing demand and then the busiest winter in the 24-year history of his practice. “Although the economy continues to have problems, particularly in terms of unemployment, patients who desire to have cosmetic surgery are finding a way to have it done,” said Dr. Grenley.
In Boston, plastic surgeon Fouad Samaha offered a very similar account of the economic factors affecting his practice:
“Many of our patients felt the economic squeeze in late 2008 and 2009, mostly due to financial insecurity and limited access to credit. Over the past several months, we have seen a strong resurgence in patient interest and volume that appears to be well ahead of economic indicators. I believe that this is testimony to the high level of motivation that people have for self-improvement, feeling better about their appearance, and increasing their self-confidence.”
The general consensus appears to be that various non-surgical treatments and continued interest in breast augmentation are the “recession-proof” offerings keeping doctors busy.
Breast Augmentation Top Surgery 2nd Year Running
For the second year in a row, breast augmentation was the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery, with 311,957 estimated procedures nationwide. Doctors have suggested several reasons for the continued success of breast augmentation:
To the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Renato Saltz mentions the reintroduction of silicone gel breast implants as a factor pushing breast augmentation procedures to the top.
Although Dr. Hess agrees, he says, “most young women who are getting breast augmentation were only toddlers when the moratorium on silicone gel implants came down; to them it’s ancient history and they don’t really know what went on.”
The latest statistics show that breast implants are indeed favored among younger women. For patients 19-34 years old, it was the most chosen surgery, while patients age 35-50 actually chose liposuction more frequently.
More statistics for 2009 will be released in the coming weeks from other professional groups. We look forward to comparing them and continuing this discussion of cosmetic surgery trends.
Read the ASAPS press release
I always love to hear about non-surgical procedures becoming more and more popular as it’s exactly those type of procedures that fuels more than half of our practice.