If Money Wasn’t an Issue, What Would You Do?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released its 2009 surgery statistics today and, while the economy certainly took its toll over the past year, the report shows an amazing increase in cosmetic treatments in the last decade – procedures are up 69% from 2000. The ASPS reports that 12.5 million procedures were performed last year, which makes cosmetic treatments a $12 billion dollar industry.

Although overall treatments performed in 2009 were down slightly from 2008, a survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of RealSelf found that interest in cosmetic treatment is up 15 percentage points over November 2009 – 69% of adults said they would undergo a treatment or procedure if money wasn’t an issue. Interest is up for both men and women – 78% of women and almost two-thirds (60%) of men said they would be willing to undergo plastic surgery.

People are just as interested in surgical procedures as they are in minimally invasive, like Botox or microdermabrasion. While teeth whitening topped the list as the procedure most would choose (48%), vision correction surgery (39%), tummy tuck (29%), hair removal (27%) and liposuction (23%) rounded out the top five – a mix of surgical and non-surgical procedures.

If money wasn’t an issue, people would choose:

 *Note: Findings in the chart are based out of adults who would get cosmetic work done if money were not an issue.

FOR release
Contact: ASPS Public Relations
April 27, 2010
(847) 228-9900
media@plasticsurgery.org

ASPS Reports Cosmetic Surgery Down in 2009, up 69% in First Decade of New Millennium

Consumer Interest Continues to Increase According to RealSelf.com Study

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Although it’s been a sluggish year for plastic surgery due to the economy, the long-term outlook is more encouraging. According to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 12.5 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009, down 1 percent from 2008; up 69 percent since 2000. Nearly 5.2 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year.

“The industry has experienced some economic downturn during the later part of the decade due to the recession, but, overall, plastic surgery has seen growth in the first decade of the new millennium,” said ASPS President Michael McGuire, MD. “The current economic climate will likely not have an impact on long-term growth. The largest contributor to the increase in procedures over the past decade has been the advent of injectable wrinkle fighters and other minimally-invasive procedures.”

Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 1 percent, to nearly 11 million procedures in 2009. Minimally-invasive procedures are up 99 percent since 2000. The top five minimally-invasive procedures in 2009 were:

• Botulinum toxin type A (4.8 million)
• Soft tissue fillers (1.7 million)
• Chemical peel (1.1 million)
• Microdermabrasion (910,000)
• Laser hair removal (893,000)

“Skin is in,” said Dr. McGuire. “Chemical peels and soft tissue fillers like hyaluronic acid are up 9 percent, microdermabrasion is up 8 percent – these are the procedures that patients are opting for despite the economy.”

Cosmetic surgical procedures decreased 9 percent, with more than 1.5 million procedures in 2009. Surgical procedures are down 20 percent since 2000. The top five surgical procedures in 2009 were:

• Breast augmentation (289,000)
• Nose reshaping (256,000)
• Eyelid surgery (203,000)
• Liposuction (198,000)
• Tummy tuck (115,000)

“It would seem, as innovations in cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increase, surgery will continue to decrease,” added Dr. McGuire. “However, as the economy rebounds, more patients and Boomers will continue to seek surgical body contouring procedures (liposuction, tummy tuck), eyelid surgery and breast augmentations. In fact, breast augmentations are up 36 percent since 2000. Silicone implants are now used in 50 percent of all breast augmentations.”

Echoing Dr. McGuire’s words, new consumer data from an online survey conducted in March by Harris Interactive® on behalf of RealSelf.com found America’s interest in cosmetic procedures to be on the rise. According to the survey, more adult’s would choose to have “work done” if money was not an issue in the 1st quarter of 2010 (69%), as compared to 4th quarter 2009 (54%) – an increase of 15 percent. There is also high interest for “Mommy Makeover” type procedures: more than one in four (29%) of those who would get cosmetic work done if money were not an issue would have a tummy tuck, 23% liposuction, and 15% a breast lift. Eyelid surgery was the top procedure for those planning to have a cosmetic surgical procedure within the next 12 months (27%). Laser hair removal was the top procedure for those planning a minimally-invasive procedure within the next 12 months (23%).

Reconstructive plastic surgery, which improves function and appearance to abnormal structures, increased 5 percent in 2009. The top five reconstructive procedures in 2009 were:

• Tumor removal (3.9 million)
• Laceration repair (332,000)
• Scar revision (171,000)
• Hand surgery (110,000)
• Maxillofacial surgery (90,000)

“Reconstructive plastic surgery is an important part of what we do,” said Dr. McGuire. “We know that 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction after cancer are not aware of their reconstructive options. We would like to see this change to the point that we can report this procedure is now among the top five reconstructive procedures.”

ASPS procedural statistics are collected through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with the annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

RealSelf.com is an unbiased resource to find, rate and share information about cosmetic treatments. RealSelf.com helps consumer make the right decisions for treatments ranging from Botox to mommy makeovers to laser hair removal. The privately-held company is based in Seattle. For more information, visit RealSelf.com.

# # #