Cosmetic rates of inflation: Breast ops on the rise
Over 34,100 Aesthetic Surgery Procedures in the UK in 2008
London, UK – 26 January 2009 – The British
Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the
not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of
education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public
benefit, today announced the results of their annual audit for
2008. The number of surgical procedures this year exceeds 34,100 -
more than triple the amount since 2003, when 10,700 were performed.
Some of the most impressive increases this year have been recorded
in breast augmentation and tummy tucks (both up by 30%) and male
breast reduction, which increased by a staggering 44%. The nation’s
brows are also on the up as male brow lifts rise by 60%.
Highlights:
- 34,187 surgical procedures were carried out by BAAPS members in
2008, over a 5% increase from 2007, when 32,453 were
performed
- Breast augmentation was once again the most popular procedure
for women with 8,439 performed (up 30% from 2007) this year
- Women had 31,183 procedures in 2008, up from 29,572 (an
increase of over 5%)
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tucks) also had a striking increase for
both men and women with 3,638 procedures carried out, a rise of 30%
from 2007, when only 2,799 were performed.
- The majority of cosmetic surgery is still carried out on women
(91%), while male surgery increased by over 4% with 3,004 surgical
procedures carried out (2,881 in 2007)
- Male breast reduction moved into the top five procedures for
men (taking over from facelifts as the 5th most popular) increasing
by a staggering 44% with 323 procedures this year (Only 22 were
performed in 2003 – an increase of well over 1000%!)
- Rhinoplasty continued to be the top procedure for men, with 698
undertaken by BAAPS members (without much of a change from 2007)
but by far the most impressive percentage rise was in the number of
male brow lift procedures, which went up by 60%
- Otoplasty (ear correction) increased by 23% with 1,260
procedures (up from 1,024 last year) carried out on both men and
women.
According to Mr. Nigel Mercer, consultant plastic surgeon and
President of the BAAPS;
“These figures indicate that despite the
beginnings of a financial downturn last year, the public’s interest
in aesthetic surgery remained strong, especially in regards to
specific procedures. Wide media coverage has helped to educate the
public about the latest advances and choices available, and we are
encouraged by the fact that more people are doing their research
carefully and choosing reputable providers. In the current climate
it is even more important that patients seeking cosmetic surgical
procedures do not make decisions based solely on price."
The figures in full:
A total of 34,187 procedures were carried out in 2008 by BAAPS
members in their private practices, compared to 32,453 in 2007. The
2008 results indicate that surgical numbers continue to grow, with
a 5.4% rise over the previous year.
The top surgical procedures for men & women in 2008 were, in
order of popularity:
- Breast augmentation: 8,449 – up 30% from last year
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): 5,130 – down 10%
- Face/Neck Lift: 4,547 – up 1.7%
- Breast Reduction: 3,845 – up 13%
- Abdominoplasty: 3,638 – up 30%
- Liposuction: 3,249 – down 29%
- Rhinoplasty: 3,065 – up 1.5%
- Otoplasty (ear correction): 1,260 – up 23%
- Brow lifts 1,004 – up 4%
Women had 91% of all cosmetic procedures in
2008 (31,183, up from 29,572 in 2007). The top five surgical
procedures for women in 2008 were: breast augmentation (8,439),
blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery (4,520 – down 12% on last year),
face/neck lift (4,355, a rise of 2.8%), abdominoplasty or tummy
tucks (3,526 – up an impressive 30.5%), and breast reduction
(3,522, an increase of 11%).
Men had 3,004 cosmetic procedures in 2008 (up
from 2,881 in 2007). The top five surgical procedures for men in
2008 were: rhinoplasty (698, down by 2.5%), eyelid surgery or
blepharoplasty (610, an increase of 9%), ear correction or
otoplasty (508, a staggering increase of 21.5%), liposuction (479,
a decrease of 18%) and male breast reduction (323, an impressive
rise of 44%).
According to Mr. Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and
BAAPS Secretary responsible for the UK national audit of cosmetic
surgery;
“This year we have recorded a dramatic rise in a number of
procedures such as male breast reduction and brow lifts. This may
be due to heightened media attention, which has allowed men to
realise the positive outcomes that can be achieved. It is also the
first year since records began that we have seen a fall in
liposuction and eyelid surgery, which may be due to the great
number of non-surgical alternatives now available for those
areas.”
According to consultant plastic surgeon and past President of
BAAPS Douglas McGeorge;
“Those considering an aesthetic surgery should always be
aware that no procedure is without risk. When performed under the
right circumstances, cosmetic surgery can have a positive
psychological impact and improve quality of life.”
Further information
The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the
Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation,
established for the advancement of education and practice of
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo
thorough background screening before they can join. Information
about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be
found on the web site, or by contacting their advice line at 020
7405 2234. Further materials can be posted to members of the public
seeking specialised information.
For all media enquiries, please contact Tingy Simoes or Jennifer
McGarrigle on 020 7549 2863 or email: tsimoes@wavelengthgroup.com
or jmcgarrigle@wavelengthgroup.com.
This media release has been posted with the kind
permission of BAAPS, of which many surgeons working with Ramsay are
members. For more information see www.baaps.org.uk.