14 DAY TRIAL // Whereas doctors in the US were, not long ago, bemoaning the fall of plastic surgery, their counterparts in the UK are doing better than ever, despite the economical downturn, as recently published numbers indicate. The odd fact about the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) figures is that male plastic surgery is definitely on the rise, the British media is reporting.
Thus, while a boost in the number of procedures in 2008, as opposed to the previous year, has been noted, the most significant increase has clearly been in terms of the number of men wanting to do something about their body. Among the most asked for procedures, figures indicate, is that meant to eliminate the so-called “moobs,” meaning male breast surgery. In women, in return, the number of procedures for the chest area (either augmentation or reduction) has dropped, occupying one of the last places in terms of number of procedures performed.
Yet, in 2008, men did not look only to have their chests redone, as nose jobs, eyelid surgery and liposuction were also extremely popular procedures, the BAAPS says. These, and many other surgical interventions that did not make it into the top five, sum up to 3,004 cosmetic procedures in 2008, up from 2,881 in 2007, on men alone. Also, this increase shows clearly that the recession has failed to take its toll on certain habits or priorities British men have, but also that they are now more educated and have more freedom of choice, as Nigel Mercer, consultant plastic surgeon and president of the BAAPS, points out.
“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.” Mr. Mercer explains to the media.