UK sees 35% increase in cosmetic surgery in 2005

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, has announced the results of their annual audit for 2005.

Highlights:

• 22,041 surgical procedures were carried out by BAAPS members, up 34.6% from 2004
• While the majority of cosmetic surgery continues to be carried out on women, the number of men having aesthetic procedures rose from 1,348 in 2004 to 2,440
• From representing only 8% in 2004, men now account for 11% of the total procedures
• Women had 19,601 procedures in 2005, up from 15,019 the previous year
• The top procedure for women was breast augmentation, with 5,646 carried out - a 51% rise since 2004, when 3,731 were performed
• Rhinoplasty continues to be the top procedure for men, with 735 undertaken by BAAPS members, up from 462 performed in 2004
• Anti-ageing procedures (facelifts, eyelid surgery and brow lifts) showed a considerable rise in popularity in the last year, increasing by 42.1%, 50.2% and 34.8%, respectively.

According to Mr. Adam Searle, consultant plastic surgeon and President of the BAAPS;

"These figures appear to represent a growing acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in maintaining appearance with age and the number of men choosing to undergo surgery. With the increasing media coverage that provides the public with ever more information on what surgical procedures might achieve, it is essential that our members continue to promote sensible and responsible practices. At the BAAPS we are committed to educating people considering plastic surgery by providing independent and serious advice to assist in sensible decision-making."

The figures in full:

A total of 22,041 procedures were carried out this year by BAAPS members in their private practices, compared to 16,367 in 2004. 2005 results indicate that surgical numbers continue to grow, with a 34.6% rise over the previous year.

The top ten surgical procedures for men & women in 2005 were, in order of popularity:

• Breast augmentation: 5,655 - up 51.4% from last year
• Blepharoplasty (eyelids): 3,415 - up 50.2%
• Breast Reduction: 2,700 - up 9.3%
• Face/Neck Lift: 2,279 - up 42.1%
• Rhinoplasty: 2,268 - up 34.7%
• Abdominoplasty: 1,869 - up 24.4%
• Liposuction (major): 1,436 - up 24.9%
• Otoplasty (ears): 1,176 - up 28.1%
• Liposuction (minor): 663 - up 9.6%
• Brow lifts 580 - up 34.8%

Women had 89% of all cosmetic procedures (19,601, up from 15,019 in 2004). The top five surgical procedures for women in 2004 were: breast augmentation (5,646), blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery (2,868), breast reduction (2,593), face/neck lift (2,135), and rhinoplasty (1,533).

Men had 2,440 cosmetic procedures, an increase of 1,092 from 2004. The top five surgical procedures for men in 2005 were: rhinoplasty (735), blepharoplasty (547), otoplasty (526), liposuction (220), and face/neck lift (144).

According to Mr. Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and President-Elect;

"These increases maintain a solid trend - evidently, the British public want to feel good about the way they look as they age. A growing awareness of the procedures available and their continued safety are all contributors to the popularity of cosmetic procedures. When performed under the right circumstances, aesthetic surgery can have a very positive psychological impact and improve a patient`s quality of life."

According to Mr. Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS Council member responsible for the UK aesthetic surgery audit;

"I was not surprised at the continued rise in numbers, especially in the area of anti-ageing surgery such as eyelid surgery and facelifting. With these procedures it is essential to be selective in choosing the right practitioner, as the results are long lasting but complications can be permanent. Patients have come to view the BAAPS as the ideal destination to find out more about the possibilities and realities of aesthetic surgery."

http://www.baaps.org.uk/