Though her children were against it, Sylvia Brickman underwent breast reduction surgery at the age of 88.   After having children, she went from an A-cup to a DD-cup size through breast augmentation plastic surgery.  After decades of discomfort from such a large breast size, this senior chose plastic surgery to reduce her breasts to a more comfortable size.  She says that breast reduction was one of the best decisions she has ever made. 

For many years, the standard in the medical profession was not to operate on seniors unless something was broken, bleeding, or blocked.  The risks associated with surgery, such as anesthesia complications and blood clots, were thought to greatly outweigh the benefits of operating for cosmetic and even some medical reasons.  Doctors have begun to shift their perceptions about senior surgery, as anesthesia has become safer and many seniors are healthier than ever before.  Seniors are not only living longer but they are also remaining active and social for longer than ever before. 

These trends have lead to increases in the number of seniors seeking plastic surgery.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of people over the age of 65 who underwent breast augmentation surgery increased from 244 to 2,640 from 2000 to 2004.  Additionally, the number of seniors seeking chin augmentation facial plastic surgery increased from 1,406 to 3,164 between those same years.  While these seniors account for a small percentage of the plastic surgery patient population, 20 percent of all chin augmentations and nearly 30 percent of all hair transplants are performed on patients over the age of 65. 

Elective orthopedic surgery to replace knees and hips is also on the rise for older patients who suffer from osteoarthritis and other pain.  Traditionally, these patients were told they were not good candidates for surgery.  They are now considered for surgery.  While the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons does not keep track of the reasons people undergo hip and knee replacements, the group reports the number of total knee replacements increased from 16,000 to 45,000 from 1993 to 2003 in patients aged 80 to 89.  

While most seniors pay out-of-pocket for their cosmetic surgery and elective procedures, Medicare does cover some procedures like orthopedic surgery and some breast lifts.  The increase in surgery for seniors indicates a positive shift in our society’s perception of aging individuals and the growing safety of cosmetic procedures.