Plastic Surgery in Demand … At A Discount

Plastic surgery is still a common American request, but the nation’s current economic turbulence has changed what many people want done.

The monetary effect of last year’s continued economic downturn on America’s plastic surgery industry has yet to be determined, since sales figures aren’t final. But many plastic surgeons are certain that customers often ignored major operations and looked to less expensive treatment options to change their look.

“We thought we’d be insulated better,” Dr. Toby Mayer, a Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon, told the Los Angeles Times. “But even though we have a large percentage base of Hollywood clients who are not affected by these economic conditions, for the large majority of our patients, the big procedures are out of the question for now.”

Official statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) differ, but both indicate a significant dip in revenue. The number of cosmetic surgeries in 2008 was lower than 2007 by 9 percent, according to the ASPS, while ASAPS says they dropped by 15 percent. The statistics for 2009 aren’t expected until around March. But according to the Los Angeles Times, some plastic surgeons cite a 20 percent decrease from 2008.

Still, the cosmetic surgery industry will likely endure, even in tough times. Dr. Mayer noted that people still want to improve how they look – and some feel a little nip and tuck may be necessary to compete in a tight job market. Mindful of peoples’ financial constraints, surgeons have found a way to compromise by offering patients less expensive ways to alter their looks. Botox injections replace the more expensive face lift, and topical skin treatment replace the more expensive Botox. Surgeons are also offering payment plans or reduced fees to accommodate their customer base.

“We all want immediate gratification — more so now, when times are distressing,” Dr. Debra Luftman, a dermatologist, told the Times reporter. “I like to make a plan with my patients, look at treatments over a period of time and budget everything. We’re doing incentives and packages to make it easier for them. They don’t even have to ask me.”