Defying recession odds makers, plastic surgery procedures increased nearly 10 percent from 2009 to 2010 with more than 9.3 million surgical and non-surgical procedures logged in 2010, at a cost of nearly $11 billion, according to Dr. Grant Stevens, chairman of the media relations committee of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) which commissioned the study released today. Patients between the ages of 35 and 50 accounted for 44 percent of the total, the majority of any age group.
Dr. Stevens, a board certified plastic surgeon and founder of Marina Plastic Surgery Associates in Marina del Rey, CA, says, “We were surprised and thrilled to see increases in a variety of areas because it points to a positive change in economic indicators for 2010 – 2011. In my own practice, I’ve seen a major increase in demand by men (the study showed an increase overall of 88 percent since 1997), breast lifts and generally a bigger caseload proving that beauty is recession proof.”
Dr. Stevens noted that requests for liposuction, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) topped the list of most requested surgical procedures. Botox was far and away the most requested non-surgical procedure.
“According to the ASAPS study, 19 percent of the patients belong to an ethnic minority,” says Dr. Stevens. “That’s a major up tick, since traditionally many surgery practices have catered to white women. It’s great news.” He added that laser procedures, including laser hair removal, as well as chemical peels and breast reduction, are also popular and getting more so.
“The ASAPS study demonstrates that people of all ages and races want to look better, be it for themselves, a significant other or because they are seeking employment,” Dr. Stevens says.
Dr. Stevens trained in both general and plastic surgery before establishing his Los Angeles plastic surgery practice. Dr. Stevens has published extensively in clinical research publications showcasing some of the latest developments in plastic surgery procedures and has gained recognition as a pioneer in new techniques for procedures including liposuction and breast reduction.
