Is Plastic Surgery Really for You?
Ask the Right Questions Before Submitting to Cosmetic Procedures
Jun 29, 2008
It has been said that Americans are obsessed with youth. Judging from their collective love affair with plastic surgeons, there may be some truth to that claim. Nearly 12 million cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, were performed in the United States last year. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of such procedures has increased almost 460% since 1997. The most frequently performed procedure in 2007 was Botox injection, while liposuction was the most popular cosmetic surgery among all patients (among women alone, breast augmentation was the most common surgery). Aesthetic Society president Foad Nahai, MD, reports that cosmetic surgery is not defined by race or gender; indeed, though women accounted for 91% of all cosmetic procedures, those performed on men increased 17% since the previous year, and 22% of the aesthetic procedures were performed on patients who are members of traditional ethnic and racial minorities. In general, Americans (56% of men and 57% of women) approve of cosmetic surgery; 31% of women and 20% of men would consider cosmetic surgery for themselves in the future. 78% and 79% of men and women, respectively, would not be embarrassed if they had plastic surgery and people outside their families knew about it.
Americans spent over $13 billion on cosmetic procedures last year. This figure includes physician and surgeon fees, but excludes the costs of anesthesia, surgical facilities, medical tests, gowns, prescriptions, and other incidental costs. Insurance only paid for a fraction of these costs, as relatively few procedures are covered by insurance.
One might surmise that aging baby boomers are behind the increase in demand for cosmetic surgery. After all, this segment of society has been attributed with a penchant for youthful appearance, and they are presumably responsible—due to a corresponding desire to preserve their vitality—for an upsurge in the growth of alternative medical therapies. Interestingly, however, people from 51 to 64 years of age account for only 25% of all cosmetic procedures performed. Individuals aged 19 to 50 years made up 69% of the total.
Complications arising from cosmetic surgery—including, rarely, death—reportedly occur at a rate less than ½ of one percent. This translates to approximately 60,000 adverse events annually for procedures that are, in the main, elective. Considering that relatively young people account for the majority of procedures performed, and that some complications lead to chronic problems (unacceptable scars, inflammatory reactions from implants, pain, tissue contractures) it seems prudent for any prospective surgical candidate to do some homework before submitting to a cosmetic procedure:
- Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (1-888-4PLASTIC) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org if the surgeon isn’t specific about his/her qualifications.
- How long has the surgeon been performing the procedure in question? How many times in an average year does the surgeon do this procedure?
- Ask to see “before” and “after” photographs. Also, in spite of confidentiality issues, it’s reasonable to ask to speak with a surgeon’s prior clients.
- Check on the certification level of any outpatient surgical center where the procedure will be performed. If the facility isn’t certified by Medicare and the state licensing board or an equivalent accreditation body, be cautious.
- Who will actually perform the surgery and follow-up care? It isn’t uncommon, particularly in teaching hospitals, for a physician-in-training to perform a procedure, even though an experienced surgeon is present at the initial consultation.
- Finally, ask about payment options. Since insurance does not cover most cosmetic procedures, many patients need to pay in installments or with a credit card.
