Cosmetic Surgery Has Wide Appeal
Cosmetic Surgery Has Wide Appeal
December 11, 2006 -
Ask any plastic surgeon to describe a typical cosmetic surgery patient, and you may find yourself surprised by the answer. Most plastic surgeons will say there is no such thing as a typical cosmetic surgery patient. From stay-at-home moms and working dads to generation X-ers and baby boomers, cosmetic surgery appeals to people from all walks of life.
More and more Americans are opting for cosmetic surgery these days, making it less of a celebrity secret and more of a common beauty regimen. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 10 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2005 - a 38 percent increase from 2000.
Who’s Getting It Done?
Dr. George Rudkin, associate professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California Los Angeles, says that baby boomers represent a growing population of cosmetic surgery patients.
Remarriage, later retirement, and an emphasis of healthy living all contribute to the baby boomer trend toward cosmetic surgery. “They want their faces and bodies to reflect their inner feelings, not their chronological age,” he said.
Cosmetic surgery is also popular among women in their 30s and 40s. Dr. William Beeson, plastic surgeon and past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, says that the “mommy makeover”-a combination of tummy tuck, breast lift, buttock lift and/or breast implants - is common in women this age.
Still, the desire for cosmetic enhancement doesn’t stop there. “I’ve worked on priests, police officers, salesmen. A large number of my clients are trial lawyers and others in high-profile jobs,” Dr. Beeson said.
Expectations Are Key
Some people are even beginning to regard cosmetic surgery as a kind of preventative medicine, says ASPS president Roxanne Guy. Others see it as an addiction. So, cosmetic surgery is not for everyone.
Those considering cosmetic surgery should have realistic expectations, says Dr. Rudkin. “We’ll see people who want to look just like a celebrity, or they come in thinking cosmetic surgery will fix their marriage,” he said.
Cosmetic surgery will not fix your marriage, but it can help improve your self-image. If you are considering breast augmentation or other cosmetic procedure, please click here to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.
Return to A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource