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http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/media/pr_030910.pdfA procedural survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery says more than 17 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009. The total number of procedures from this first-time study far surpasses any number that has previously been reported in the U.S. This is the first nationwide survey of its kind done by the AACS. In addition to the annual polling of its own members, the AACS also surveyed random physicians across the country to find out who is performing cosmetic surgery procedures. The total number of procedures performed by AACS members has increased by eight percent since 2008. This rise is staggering considering we are in one of the worst economic downturns of the century.
The rise in cosmetic surgeries is primarily due to the baby boomer generation coming of age and the desire to preserve their youth and health. According to the one of the largest and fastest growing elective medical financing companies nationwide, MedChoice Financial, another key aspect contributing to this growth is the fact that elective cosmetic surgery financing is more prevalent now than ever before, and there are now so many more flexible patient/client payment programs being offered.
“We are making it easier for cosmetic surgeons to offer flexible financing solutions that will allow them to service more patients and grow their practices,” said Michael Naturile, Vice President of MedChoice Financial.
According to AACS President Mark Berman, “The cosmetic surgery industry continues to grow at a rate many people never thought it would reach. With the aging of the baby boomer generation, I don’t think we’ve come close to hitting the ceiling yet. That 17 million is only going to expand.”
The age group that seems to be affecting cosmetic surgery statistics most is the Baby Boomer generation. Aging Baby Boomers see cosmetic surgery as a real solution that fits comfortably into their lives. With affordable financing plans and quicker recovery times, many cosmetic procedures allow people to get great results with minimal down time.
According to nationally recognized "Best Doctor" Kevin T. Nini, M.D, in addition to the baby boomer generation, there is also a trend developing among younger women involving an increased demand for silicone implants. In 2007, after an exhaustive study, the FDA approved silicone implants for unrestricted use. Dr. Nini noted that as consumers become more educated about the advantages of newer generation silicone implants, he predicts that plastic surgeons will receive more frequent requests from patients for silicone. Within his practice, he noted that approximately 9 out of 10 patients choose silicone over saline implants.
The biggest increase in invasive procedures in the last five years according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery are in blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and rhinoplasty (nose). For less-invasive procedures, the biggest increase over that five-year period is in laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers.
“As the economy recovers slowly but surely, we are seeing patients come back and feel better about doing some things for themselves that maybe they’d been putting off for a while,” Berman said.
Naturile agrees with Berman and adds that “those delayed procedures by baby boomers are being revisited as they realize they have financing options that free up their traditional credit sources and eliminates having to pay out-of-pocket healthcare expenses at one time.
Cosmetics surgeons are realizing the benefit of greater patient loyalty from convenient financing solutions. With increased patient referrals and an aging baby boomer generation that cares how they look and feel, the next few years are expected to be growth years for practices offering elective cosmetic procedures.
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