Minimally-invasive procedure growth
An audit of US procedures reveals largely similar volume trends. The year 2011 was good for plastic surgery in the US, says ASPS president Malcolm Roth. All told, there were 13.8 million cosmetic procedures conducted by ASPS members, of which 1.6 million (+2%) were surgical, and 12.2 million minimally‑invasive (Tables 2 and 3).
Facelifts made the list for the first time since 2004, replacing tummy tucks. This reflects the demands of an ageing baby‑boomer population. There are many minimally-invasive facial procedures that are gaining popularity, says ASPS. Dr Roth is not surprised at the drops for nose and eyelid surgery, telling Prime: ‘Rhinoplasty is down 3% and blepharoplasty is down 6%. These numbers are actually within the survey’s margin of error and reflect remarkable consistency regarding the popularity of these procedures.’
The overall growth in US cosmetic surgery procedures is being driven by minimally-invasive surgery. The rapid rise in laser hair removal is a result of technological improvements that have enabled clinics to provide procedures faster, more safely, more effectively and, in some areas, more economically, says Dr Roth. In soft tissue fillers, more than 1.3 million hyaluronic acid procedures were performed during 2011.
Moves to secure more recon insurance coverage
US reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were up by 5%, with tumour removal accounting for 4.2 million procedures in 2011. A total of 96000 breast reconstructions were performed, a rise of 3%. ‘Breast reconstruction following mastectomy continues to be of significant importance to ASPS. We have quite a few initiatives planned in 2012 to raise awareness of breast reconstruction, especially considering that 70% of women don’t know breast reconstruction is an option for them,’ says Dr Roth.
While insurance coverage for breast reconstruction is mandated by US law, continued efforts to secure coverage for other reconstructive procedures has contributed, in part, to the sizable rise in these procedures.
Consumer confidence is up in the US, and is being maintained in the UK. BAAPS’ Dr Grover observes that an economic downturn two decades ago would have had painful consequences for the plastic surgery business. That has not been seen in the recent downturn. ‘Now, people are spending more. It’s a good time to be in the industry,’ he says.
He adds that it is also good that the industry is coming under scrutiny. ‘We must always think about the patient, the person we are treating, as if they were a close relative, or your wife,’ the BAAPS president-elect advises. ‘A policy of honesty is good for the profession and good for the patient.’
