Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Blog – Harley Medical Group

Teenagers opt for nose and ear reshaping surgery, young adults choose breast augmentation, those entering middle age pick liposuction and eye bag removal is most popular with those in old age.

These are the findings of two sets of statistics – one from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the other from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The Orange County Register pulled together the statistics, which focus entirely on female patients, and published ‘Plastic Surgery From Teenage to Old’ today.

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According to one cosmetic surgeon, more older brides than ever before are turning to cosmetic surgery ahead of their big day.

Peter Paterson, a surgeon based in Lancashire, told thisislancashire.co.uk that he has noticed a rise in the number of women who are marrying later in life coming to him for treatments and procedures to look younger ahead of their wedding.
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The NHS in Wales is reportedly spending more than £3 million each year on administering free cosmetic surgery treatments.

This astonishing figure will no doubt cause anger among patients waiting for essential surgery, particularly in the face of huge spending cuts to crucial NHS services. Surgeons working in Wales defended the figure, which they say reflects the intense pressure they are under from patients who are often willing to fake distress in order to receive cosmetic surgery for free, on the grounds of emotional suffering.

The figures, obtained by Walesonline.co.uk following a Freedom of Information request, reveal that since 2008, 617 patients had ear reshaping surgery, 777 women have had breast surgery, including breast implants and breast reduction, and a little fewer than 200 people had nose reshaping surgery.

Emma Boon, campaign director at the Taxpayer’s Alliance, said: “The NHS is there for the treatment of those people who are ill and need medical attention and help.

“That’s what taxpayers think of when they think of the NHS – they don’t imagine their money is being spent on cosmetic surgery that in some cases simply isn’t justifiable.”

But staff at one Welsh hospital defended the spending, saying that many of their patients suffer from physical abuse and bullying and that in these cases cosmetic surgery is justified.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed that it has so far paid more than £10,000 for recruits to have breast reduction surgery so that they can fit comfortably into the standard issue body armour.

The organisation has also paid out more than £7,000 for ear reshaping surgery that allows helmets to fit comfortably.

The figures were released as a result of a Freedom of Information request made by the Mirror, which also revealed that the total amount paid out for cosmetic surgery in the last three years was £17,257. This had increased from £4,292 in 2008/09, to £12,965 in 2010/11.

A spokesperson for the MoD said: “Occasionally plastic surgery may be carried out for occupational and operational reasons”.

Each case is judged by the Exceptional Case Assessment panel before any funding is given to carry out surgical procedures but this is likely to be of little comfort to those recruits who feel like they’re fighting without the proper kit.

It is also likely to be very unpopular with the Armed Forces who have seen their funding cut dramatically to recoup a £38 billion deficit.

A recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has revealed that 1.1 million men underwent cosmetic procedures in the United States last year, a two per cent rise on the figures from 2009.

As well as surgical procedures, the figures also included non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers. The society’s president, Dr Phillip Haeck, said that the demand for male chest reduction surgery is driven by men younger than 30, and he attributes the rise in popularity of the face lift to men in their 50s and 60s.

“These are really fit people who have paid a lot of attention to keeping their bodies in shape. This generation has paid a lot of attention to how they look, and they don’t want to grow old gracefully,” he said.

According to other statistics from the society, Botox increased by nine per cent, chest reduction by six per cent, liposuction by seven per cent and ear reshaping surgery by 11 per cent among men.

If there’s one thing we all know affects your self confidence, it’s being teased. And if there’s one thing we know children are especially bad, for it’s teasing other children. So it’s little wonder that many children end up with hang ups about their looks. Although it’s hardly just children that suffer these taunts, people of all ages can be cruel when it comes to appearances. Things like sticky-out ears, unusual body shapes or prominent noses are just the kind of distinctive bodily features that are likely to get picked on. (more…)

New research has revealed that men and women who fear “appearance-based rejection” are more likely to express an interest in cosmetic surgery.

The study, which appears in the June issue of Body Image, focused on the role of appearance-based rejection sensitively – meaning the tendency of certain people to expect rejection based on one’s appearance, rather than other factors. (more…)