The Effect of Economic Depression on Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery wasn’t out of danger from the economic recession. According to the latest national statistics report of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, doctors performed more than 12 million plastic surgery procedures, which included surgical and minimally invasive procedures. Surgical operations decreased by 9% while minimally invasive numbers improved by 5%. Almost 5 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were done, a figure that was a little more than last year’s. Read this for more information on what you should know about plastic surgery.

Like other sectors, plastic surgery is also experiencing the results of economic depression. This statement was made by the ASPS president, John Canady. However, patients who have had surgery in the past and those considering surgery probably maintained the demand for other minimally-invasive procedures. An improvement in demand will most probably resume when the recession eases and more people will start to explore surgical alternatives.

Here are the top-line National Plastic Surgery Statistics of 2008:

• 12 million total cosmetic plastic surgery procedures; up three percent versus 2007
• 1.7 million surgical cosmetic procedures; down nine percent versus 2007
• Top 5: Breast augmentation (307,000; 12 percent decline), Nose reshaping (279,000; two percent decline), Liposuction (245,000; 19 percent decline), Eyelid surgery (221,000; eight percent decline), Tummy tuck (122,000; 18 percent decline)
• 10.4 million minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures; up five percent versus 2007
• Top 5: Botox (5 million; eight percent increase), hyaluronic acid fillers (1.1 million; six percent increase), chemical peel (1 million; two percent increase), laser hair removal (892,000; two percent decline), microdermabrasion (842,000; six percent decline)
• 4.9 million reconstructive procedures; up three percent versus 2007
• Top 5: Tumor removal (3.8 million; five percent increase), laceration repair (307,000; seven percent increase), scar revision (163,000; eight percent increase), hand surgery (100,000; 13 percent increase), breast reduction (89,000; 16 percent decrease)

Find the best plastic surgeon for you before deciding on a cosmetic procedure. Go here for more information.