Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Spending Increases 9 Percent to $12.4 Billion
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Despite domestic concerns like inflation and a looming home lending crisis, average Americans continue to spend money on plastic surgery. According to the latest procedural statistics report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), almost 12 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2007 – a 7 percent increase from 2006 and a 59 percent increase from 2000. Also, 5.1 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year.
“The report tells me Americans are devoted to looking and feeling their best,” said Richard A. D’Amico, MD, ASPS president. “High demand continues for less invasive and relatively less expensive procedures, but there were also promising rebounds in some surgical procedures.”
Numbers of surgical cosmetic procedures remained unchanged from the previous year, with more than 1.8 million procedures performed in 2007. The top five surgical procedures were breast augmentation (348,000, up 6 percent), liposuction (302,000, unchanged), nose reshaping (285,000, down 7 percent), eyelid surgery (241,000, up 3 percent), and tummy tuck (148,000, up 1 percent).
Minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures rose by nine percent, to nearly 10 million procedures. With a hefty increase in demand, hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane®, Hylaform®, Hylaform Plus®, and JuvedermTM) jumped from fifth most popular in 2006 to second most popular in 2007. The top five minimally-invasive procedures were Botox® (4.6 million, up 13 percent from 2006), hyaluronic acid fillers (1.1 million, up 35 percent), chemical peel (1 million, down 4 percent), laser hair removal (906,000, up 2 percent) and microdermabrasion (897,000, up 10 percent).
Reconstructive plastic surgery procedures decreased 2 percent in 2007. The top five reconstructive procedures were tumor removal (3.9 million, down 1 percent), laceration repair (286,000, down 9 percent), scar revision (150,000, down 9 percent), hand surgery (142,000, down 9 percent) and breast reduction (106,000, up 2 percent).
“We wish the number of reconstructive plastic surgery procedures was waning because fewer people are getting sick or injured,” said Dr. D’Amico. “Rather, we think it has to do with extenuating circumstances like insurers denying claims and stating medically necessary procedures are cosmetic.”
ASPS procedural statistics are collected through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with the annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians most likely to perform plastic surgery, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery procedures.
To view the entire 2007 National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Report, visit the ASPS web site, www.plasticsurgery.org. Visitors can also find information on procedures and referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 6,700 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
