17 Million Cosmetic Surgeries Performed in U.S. in 2009

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For medical spas and other spas with clients considering more invasive aging solutions, the following information supports the idea that cosmetic surgery is becoming more mainstream than ever before.

A procedural survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) says more than 17 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009.

The total number of procedures from this first-time study far surpasses any number that has previously been reported in the United States. This is the first nationwide survey of its kind done by the AACS. In addition to the annual polling of its own members, the AACS also surveyed random physicians throughout the country to find out who is performing cosmetic surgery procedures.

The total number of procedures performed by AACS members has increased by 8% since 2008. “The cosmetic surgery industry continues to grow at a rate many people never thought it would reach,” said AACS president Mark Berman, MD. “With the aging of the baby boomer generation, I don’t think we’ve come close to hitting the ceiling yet. That 17 million is only going to expand.”

Among AACS member practices, the biggest increase in invasive procedures in the last five years are in blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and rhinoplasty (nose). For less-invasive procedures, the biggest increase during that five-year period is seen in laser resurfacing, chemical peels and fillers.

For AACS members, rhinoplasty surgeries jumped from 12,460 in 2008 to 21,730 in 2009, a 74% increase. Face lifts were also up this year, from 20,478 in 2008 to 34,455 in 2009, a 44% spike.

“As the economy recovers slowly but surely, we are seeing patients come back and feel better about doing some things for themselves that maybe they’d been putting off for a while,” Berman said.

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