Growth and Discussion Surrounds the Plastic Surgery Industry in 2009

While many worried about the recession and its effects throughout 2009, more Britons were undergoing breast augmentation, liposuction surgery, Botox, and other cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic surgery providers noticed the year included a higher demand for their services than normal, particularly during the month of December. The year also featured a number of important discussions and debates that could change the way the entire industry works.

Patients Undergo More Cosmetic Procedures in 2009

British patients underwent more liposuction surgery, breast augmentation, Botox injections, and other cosmetic procedures in 2009 than they did the previous year. Providers noted an increase of 9% in surgical procedures, with an increase of 50% alone in December over the average monthly level. Non-surgical treatment providers also experienced an increase in the demand for their services with a 30% increase over 2008's numbers in addition to a 30% increase over the average number of procedures performed on average in 2009.

A few major factors generated a significant portion of this growth. Transform, Britain's largest and longest providers of plastic surgery professionals and clinics found offering discounts to patients who had underwent two procedures during the month of December highly effective.

Other contributing factors also weighed into the rise in popularity including the fact that educational and banking employees booked their procedures during their Christmas vacations. Patients working in these industries were able to avoid the busy periods and have an easier time booking time off specifically for recovering from the procedure. Providers also noticed that some patients simply wanted to refine their looks before an important holiday celebration.

2009 Prompts Important Industry Debates

With plastic surgeons doing more procedures in 2009, many of the industry's leading individuals felt it was time to bring up a number of important concepts. To accomplish this, members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons as well as psychologist wrote and published works in medical journals geared toward patients.

One of the largest concepts debated in 2009 included the idea of adopting regulations. Some people feel only certain physicians should be able to perform liposuction surgery, breast augmentation, and Botox injections, while other professionals feel anyone with a medical license are capable of performing these procedures.

The idea of advertising also created some passionate responses on both sides of the argument. Some surgeons feel the UK should do as France did and ban cosmetic treatment advertisements completely while other professionals believe advertising is acceptable, so long as it isn't directed toward young children.

Safety, the importance of educating the client, and the assessment of the patient's mindset at the time of the treatment request were some of the most important issues that plastic surgeons could all agree on. These types of discussions are vital for keeping professionals and patients safe from harm.

Plastic surgery providers definitely noticed an increase in liposuction surgery, breast augmentation, and other cosmetic treatments in 2009, but there's no telling how popular these same procedures will be in 2010. Professionals and patients can simply focus on safety and the quality of the job, and wait to see what happens.