ASPS Reports Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Down in 2009, Up 69% in First Decade of New Millennium

ASPS Reports Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Down in 2009, Up 69% in First Decade of New Millennium

Consumer Interest Continues to Rise According to RealSelf.com Study


ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Although it's been a sluggish year for plastic surgery due to the economy, the long-term outlook is more encouraging. According to statistics released today by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 12.5 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the United States in 2009, down 1 percent from 2008; up 69 percent since 2000. Nearly 5.2 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year.
"The industry has experienced some economic downturn during the later part of the decade due to the recession, but, overall, plastic surgery has seen growth in the first decade of the new millennium," said ASPS President Michael McGuire, MD. "The current economic climate will likely not have an impact on long-term growth. The largest contributor to the increase in procedures over the past decade has been the advent of injectable wrinkle fighters and other minimally-invasive procedures."
Cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increased 1 percent, to nearly 11 million procedures in 2009. Minimally-invasive procedures are up 99 percent since 2000. The top five minimally-invasive procedures in 2009 were:
Botulinum toxin type A (4.8 million)
Soft tissue fillers (1.7 million)
Chemical peel (1.1 million)
Microdermabrasion (910,000)
Laser hair removal (893,000)
"Skin is in," said Dr. McGuire. "Chemical peels and soft tissue fillers like hyaluronic acid are up 9 percent, microdermabrasion is up 8 percent - these are the procedures that patients are opting for despite the economy."
Cosmetic surgical procedures decreased 9 percent, with more than 1.5 million procedures in 2009. Surgical procedures are down 20 percent since 2000. The top five surgical procedures in 2009 were:
Breast augmentation (289,000)
Nose reshaping (256,000)
Eyelid surgery (203,000)
Liposuction (198,000)
Tummy tuck (115,000)
"It would seem, as innovations in cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures increase, surgery will continue to decrease," added Dr. McGuire. "However, as the economy rebounds, more patients and Boomers will continue to seek surgical body contouring procedures (liposuction, tummy tuck), eyelid surgery and breast augmentations. In fact, breast augmentations are up 36 percent since 2000. Silicone implants are now used in 50 percent of all breast augmentations."Echoing Dr. McGuire's words, new consumer data from an online survey conducted in March by Harris Interactive® on behalf of RealSelf.com found America's interest in cosmetic procedures to be on the rise. According to the survey, more adults would choose to have "work done" if money was not an issue in the 1st quarter of 2010 (69%), as compared to 4th quarter 2009 (54%) - an increase of 15 percent. There is also high interest for "Mommy Makeover" type procedures: more than one in four (29%) of those who would get cosmetic work done if money were not an issue would have a tummy tuck, 23% liposuction, and 15% a breast lift. Eyelid surgery was the top procedure for those planning to have a cosmetic surgical procedure within the next 12 months (27%). Laser hair removal was the top procedure for those planning a minimally-invasive procedure within the next 12 months (23%).
Reconstructive plastic surgery, which improves function and appearance to abnormal structures, increased 5 percent in 2009. The top five reconstructive procedures in 2009 were:
Tumor removal (3.9 million)
Laceration repair (332,000)
Scar revision (171,000)
Hand surgery (110,000)
Maxillofacial surgery (90,000)
"Reconstructive plastic surgery is an important part of what we do," said Dr. McGuire. "We know that 70 percent of women eligible for breast reconstruction after cancer are not aware of their reconstructive options. We would like to see this change to the point that we can report this procedure is now among the top five reconstructive procedures."
ASPS procedural statistics are collected through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with the annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.
To view the entire 2009 National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics report, visit plasticsurgery.org. Visitors can also find information about procedures and referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons.

Plastic Surgeons, Breast Surgeons Urge Team Approach

Breast Cancer Survivors, Physicians, Advocacy Groups, Medical Societies, Manufacturers, Press Cite Vastly Improved Quality of Life for Patients

For Immediate Release: May 20, 2010

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Advocating the need for a medical Team Approach in the treatment and recovery from breast cancer, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in partnership with the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS), urges breast cancer patients and their physicians to insist that their treatment be handled by a team of healthcare physicians with the appropriate expertise for each procedure and level of care.

The Team Approach to breast cancer care bringstogether an interdisciplinary group of key medical professionals - gynecologist, radiologist, breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and a plastic surgeon - who work together at the onset of a woman's breast cancer diagnosis to develop and implement a treatment plan tailored for each patient. When the Team Approach is implemented at the time of diagnosis through treatment and recovery, it can result in significantly improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

"Each step of the cancer care journey requires specific medical expertise. When a team of experts works together, the outcome for patients is vastly improved," said ASPS President Michael McGuire, MD. "However, when these specialists do not work in conjunction, opportunities are missed, and patient outcomes suffer. The problem is the Team Approach is underutilized. The ASPS is very pleased to be part of this extremely important venture along with the ASBS which represents physicians who play a critical role in the Team Approach."

The ASPS, ASBS, physicians, breast cancer survivors, advocacy groups, manufacturers, and the media recently met in New York to discuss the critical role the Team Approach plays during an event entitled, "Connecting the Docs: The Team Approach to Breast Cancer Care." Leading manufacturers of breast reconstruction products - Allergan Medical, LifeCell, and Mentor - were in attendance lending their support for the Team Approach.

During the event, a team of New York-based physicians who practice the Team Approach including an obstetrician/gynecologist, radiologist, breast surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon emphasized the importance of their individual role in the team. One of their patients, a breast cancer survivor, joined the panel, discussing how this unified approach positively affected her outcome as she went through one of the most difficult times in her life.

"We're very excited about ‘Connecting the Docs: The Team Approach to Breast Cancer Care' because this helps to start the conversation - to get the word out to all women," said Patrick Whitworth, MD, ASBS Past Chairman of the Board. "Sometimes the medical community changes when patients start saying ‘Hey doc, I heard you're supposed to be working with a plastic surgeon here.' Women diagnosed with breast cancer have the power, authority, and right to ask for the Team Approach and, with their voices, perhaps the ‘team' can become standard practice."

An alarming statistic discussed at length at the New York event underscores the importance of the Team Approach: nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed of their reconstructive options by a referring physician. The number is even higher for minority women.

"Like a sporting event, theatrical performance or an orchestra, each team member is an expert in their respective roles," said panelist and ASPS Vice President Scot Glasberg, MD. "A plastic surgeon's role on the team is to ensure that the patient knows all of her reconstructive options before her cancer is treated and removed, and that the best reconstructive procedure is performed. If the patient isn't given the chance to consider her reconstructive options before mastectomy, or the procedure is performed by someone who is not board-certified in that field of expertise, it can have a significantly negative effect on their quality of life beyond the disease."

Those in attendance also expressed how essential it is that the team be implemented when a woman is first diagnosed so that she, and her physicians can understand all of her options and make informed decisions.

"The vast majority of breast cancer patients are missing out on a critical conversation that should take place at the time of diagnosis," said Dr. McGuire. "Involving key specialists early in the process and having them work as a team allows for more coordinated care and fosters the most beneficial outcome for the patient, as the election for breast reconstruction affects the techniques surgeons use to remove the cancer."