Cosmeticsurgeon.co.uk - UK Cosmetic Surgeons

The number of plastic surgery procedures performed in 2009 hit record numbers. In fact the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported nearly a seven percent increase in surgical procedures over 2008. Besides the overall numbers of procedures performed there has also been an increasing number of cosmetic surgeries performed on men. Mr. Rajiv Grover, BAAPS Secretary, said, “This year we have recorded a dramatic rise in the number of male surgical procedures, probably due to heightened media attention, which has allowed men to realise the positive outcomes that can be achieved.” The BAAPS actually reported a 23% increase in procedures performed on men in 2009.

The Harley Medical Group also reported an impressive increase in procedures performed on men in 2009, seeing a 5 percent increase over 2008. Men actually accounted for 18 percent of all procedures performed by The Harley Medical Group. Most of the increase can be attributed to men opting for non surgical procedures such as ‘Boytox’ (male Botox and Sweatox).

Men’s busy lifestyles are indeed causing their skin to be at risk for premature wrinkles. Dr. Nick Milojevic is a Botox doctor, voted as the best for Botox in the Daily Express. Concerning men receiving Boytox he revealed, “Young men in the City have been spending a lot of time frowning over the last year and we’re seeing the fallout .. Men coming into the clinics are telling us that they want to stay looking wrinkle-free despite their demanding lifestyles.”

A report by the Dailey Mail reported that much of the increase in cosmetic procedures performed on men is attributed to City bankers spending their bonuses on Boytox. The City clinic saw huge growth once the banker bonuses returned to the agenda with a ’24 percent month by month sales increase in September alone’. Other non-surgical procedures that grew in 2009 were dermal fillers with a 26 percent increase and chemical peels with a 306 percent increase.

Jeremy Baker, Consumer Analyst at ESCP Europe Business School said, “There’s a huge emphasis on grooming in popular culture and the job market is tough – people need to be younger, fitter, and better and this is reflected in the maintenance of personal appearance. Men have now caught up with the times and don’t want to be left behind so I’m sure we’ll see big increases in this sector in particular.” Men have surely
become comfortable with beautifying themselves with cosmetic surgery.

The recession has not seen a decrease in cosmetic surgeries, on the contrary it has flourished. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported nearly a seven percent increase in the cosmetic surgeries performed by them in 2009 in the UK. Mr. Nigel Mercer, President of BAAPS, said, “The public’s interest in aesthetic surgery appears to remain strong and indeed growing..”

Along with the increase in surgical procedures, the cosmetic procedures that are non surgical have increased substantially. These procedures include accent laser treatment, Botox, collagen injections, and others. Liz Dale, director of The Harley Medical Group, said, “Non-surgical procedures, which saw a big growth last year, have continued to be a strong area for us and now account for 32 percent of all our
business.” A non-surgical procedure that has become very popular is the skin peel, also known as a chemical peel. During the recession many people have tried to find less expensive ways to look beautiful and chemical peels are one of these recession-proof procedures. The Harley Medical Group’s Obagi Blue Peel, which gets rid of blemishes, acne scars, uneven pigmentation, sun damage, and wrinkles, has been in high demand. It has actually been dubbed ‘the recession facelift’ since chemical peels have outstripped facelifts in popularity.

Skin peels are a skin resurfacing technique which removes the top layer of skin. The body replaces this skin with a fresh layer of skin that is clearer and no longer has the problem that the old layer of skin had. There are three different levels of skin peels which include light, intermediate, and deep. The different levels of peel correspond to the severity of the problem that the patient wishes to erase. The deep peel is actual able to remove deep lines and medium sized wrinkles. Many people have found that a face-lift is not always necessary because a chemical peel can indeed make their face look fresh and young.

Mr. Dale also reported, “The surgical side of the business is also continuing to grow. While breast augmentations remain the most popular surgical procedure, rhinoplasties (nose operations) are closing the gap in second.” Breast augmentation is very popular for mothers who are trying to regain their figures after giving birth. They actually account for 75 percent of the breast up lift patients, and an astounding 90 percent of the tummy tuck procedures.

2009 also saw the number of men undergoing plastic surgery increase dramatically. In fact 18 percent of all procedures performed in 2009, were on men. The Harley Medical Group reports that Botox and Sweatox actually account for much of this growth in procedures performed on men.

Cosmetic surgeons and patients alike worry about the cost of corrective procedures. Beautysure, the world’s first cosmic surgery insurer for patients, created a policy that would cover a patient for up to ,4,000 for any common complication. The complications included things such as capsular contracture, infections, scarring requiring surgery, and MRSA. The policy would not cover aesthetic dissatisfaction.

This insurance option was available through members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). Juliet Bentley, founding director of Beautysure Insurance Products Ltd., commented in June of 2009, “Whether the patients take out the insurance themselves as individuals, or the surgeons choose the option
of insuring them all via one policy covering their entire practice, Beautysure can finally eliminate the worry all round of financial burdens, should complications occur.” She had high expectations for this insurance company.

Beautysure Insurance Products Ltd. was launched in March of 2009 and only eight months later it was shut down. Its parent company Lorega integrated and restructured the company. Lorega chairman Malcolm Harvey said in a press release, “It’s disappointing when a product that initially showed much promise falters. However as the demand is now proven we have spoken to our key introducers and taken swift action to restructure in order to more accurately meet their needs.”

Lorega was established in 1933 as a claims service for businesses and has an outstanding record for making the claims process easier. They hope to use their expertise to provide a higher level of service to the surgeons of BAAPS and BAPRAS. Lorega’s City of London based team will now administer all of the policies, since Juliet Bentley has moved on to a different area of insurance.

The idea of an insurance that will cover patients and surgeons for complications surgery is very good. Juliet Bentley can be applauded as a visionary for bringing the UK such a helpful service. Now it is up to Lorega to keep it afloat. Cosmetic surgery is a ,1.1 bn industry and insurance policies were well over due. With these
insurance policies both surgeons and patients can be confident that if complications arise then the resulting care will be covered. This insurance policy should make more people comfortable with having a cosmetic procedure done because their fears of extra costs due to complications will be assuaged.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported over 36,000 procedures in 2009. This is nearly a seven percent increase over 2008. The organization is a not-for-profit group that was established for the advancement of education and practice of aesthetic plastic surgery for the patients benefit. They have a strict set of rules and regulations that members must follow. There are surgeons who perform cosmetic surgeries in the UK, who are not members of the BAAPS. Some of these surgeons are not regulated and BAAPS is calling on the government to change that.

There was a One Show episode that focused on cosmetic surgery. It revealed that there were a lot of false PR claims and corrupt practices performed by plastic surgeons, and that there is no regulation preventing it. In the article ‘Minimizing Risk in Aesthetic Surgery’ Foad Nahai, of the International Society of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons, said, “Regulations governing the training of all cosmetic surgeons are sorely needed. Governments are reluctant to become involved, as they see this issue as a dispute between various physician groups and not a public safety issue.”

BAAPS’s Nigel Mercer could not disagree more with this reluctance. He believes that regulation of the cosmetic surgery field is a matter of public safety and thus should be taken on by the government. In a paper titled ‘Clinical Risk in Aesthetic Surgery’ he said , “There has been a massive increase in ‘marketing’, including discount vouchers, 2-for-one offers and holidays with surgery. In no other area of medicine is there such an un-regulated mess. What is worse is that the national governments would not allow it to happen in other areas of medicine. Imagine a ’2-for-1′ advert for general surgery? That way lies madness.”

France has instituted regulations and guidelines that must be followed by their plastic surgeons. In ‘France Sets Standards for Practice of Aesthetic Surgery’ a French surgeon lists some of these regulations as: -surgical procedures can only be undertaken by surgeons who are registered specialists and deemed competent -neither possession of a general medical degree nor that the practitioner is experienced are sufficient qualifications -a ban on all forms and methods of publicity and advertising, direct or indirect, in
whatever form, including the internet.

Many people believe that regulations similar to these should be implemented in the UK. The law in the UK presently says that , as long as the patients gives permission for the procedure than that surgeon can perform it, whether they are qualified or not. The BAAPS believes that this is unacceptable. Mr. Mercer said, “We have seen what a lack of regulation has done for banks and for the British parliament. There is a British Potato Council so why not an OFFCos [official cosmetic surgery regulator]? Surgeons can do more harm than potatoes….!”

The plastic surgery field has grown very quickly in the UK. In fact, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported over 36,000 procedures in 2009. This is nearly a seven percent increase over 2008. But not all surgeons in the UK are a part of the BAAPS. A broadcast of the One Show uncovered some of these ‘none member surgeons’ performing bad practices.

The One Show episode focused on cosmetic surgery and found that there is no regulating body to keep bad practices from occurring. In the hospitals the General Medical Council and the Care Quality Commission regulate the doctors. The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) is talking with the government about starting a joint regulation but many people do not believe this is enough. The problem with the IHSA is that their code of practice is not mandatory and thus is not enforceable throughout the entire field of plastic surgery.

Members of BAAPS have a strict set of regulations that must be followed. The organization is pushing to have all surgeons that perform cosmetic procedures to be held to the same standards. Nigel Mercer, president of BAAPS, in a paper titled ‘Clinical Risk in Aesthetic Surgery’ said , “There has been a massive increase in ‘marketing’, including discount vouchers, 2-for-one offers and holidays with surgery. In no other area of medicine is there such an un-regulated mess. What is worse is that the national governments would not allow it to happen in other areas of medicine. Imagine a ’2-for-1′ advert for general surgery? That way lies madness.”

France has instituted strict laws which limit who is able to do procedures. These laws state that a general medical degree is not sufficient to perform surgeries and advertisement of plastic surgery is also tightly regulated.  These are regulations that many would like to see instituted in the UK. Dr. Harvey Marcovitch, editor of a UK-based journal called Clinical Risk, said, “We need proper regulation of the industry and we need both surgeons and GPs to manage patient expectation.”

Goodsurgeonguide.co.uk is a website designed to help people learn more about plastic surgery. The site encourages people to carefully consider their choice of surgeon and make sure that they are respected and trusted. In response to the episode of the One Show, the managing director of this website, Christina Clogg, said, “We are not surprised that the One Show unearthed such bad practice at leading surgery groups in last night’s expose, it is one of the reasons why we developed the site and has lead us now, more than ever, to believe that the whole industry needs regulating.” Choosing a plastic surgeon needs to be based on more than just saving money. Finding a good and respected surgeon is necessary, because, as Ms. Clogg says, “[you] cannot put a price on good health and a safe procedure.”

Plastic surgery has progressively grown more popular throughout the years. As more and more women undergo cosmetic procedures the public gain a better understanding of its benefits. Having simple procedures done can change a woman’s life drastically, giving her the confidence and beauty that she has always dreamed of having. In fact more than half of all women surveyed said that they had hopes of having cosmetic surgery soon.

The GoodSurgeonGuide performed a study which revealed that British women are placing a lot of emphasis on looking good in 2010. They are much less concerned about getting a promotion or even finding love. Christina Clogg, co-founder of the guide said, “We were very surprised that it [looking good] was more important to some than a more successful career or finding someone special.” Looking good has become a
driving factor in our society and women are finding that they must strive to meet the ever climbing expectations of beauty. Women have made new year’s resolutions to reshape their body in 2010 with the most popular resolutions being cosmetic surgical procedures, more stringent diets, and new exercise regimens.

Fifty-one percent of the women in the UK have expressed the desire to have plastic surgery done. The most popular procedure for women is breast augmentation followed by eyelid surgery. Women can have liposuction or face lifts. With the growth of plastic surgery, the procedures to choose from are limitless. A woman can completely change the contours of her body to attain that slim sexy body that they envy. Or
they can alter features on their face to maintain their youthful looks.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2009 there were 32,859 plastic surgeries performed on women in the UK. This is compared to 31,183 in 2008, a 5.4 percent increase. The highest rise in procedures was actually breast reductions which rose 17 percent over the last year. Even though breast augmentation is still the most popular procedure, this rise in breast reduction procedures shows that there is indeed a wide range of different things women expect from plastic surgery.

The President of BAAPS, Douglas McGeorge, said’ “When performed under the right circumstances, cosmetic surgery can have a positive psychological impact and improve quality of life.” The abundance of positive testimonials concerning plastic surgery is a strong motivator for women. They have heard about its benefits through the media and from people who are close to them. Women find themselves considering
having a procedure done because of the happiness they see emanating from others who have had plastic surgery. Being beautiful and happy is a state of being that all women pursue and cosmetic surgery can help them to get there.

The current economic slump is causing many people to spend their money more hesitantly. Many industries are suffering from this reluctance by consumers to spend. Plastic surgery is not one of these industries. In fact, plastic surgery is an industry that is still growing, despite the recession of the economy.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) reported that there were over 36,400 cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2009. This is compared to 2008 where there were around 34,000, a little less then a seven percent increase. Patrick Malluce, a member of BAAPS, told the Guardian, “What has been surprising for me is that it is very busy during a time of supposed recession.” This was said in conjunction with the rush of appointments that were being made around Christmas of 2009. The demand for plastic surgery in December is usually about fifty percent higher than any other month and 2009 was no exception. Non-surgical procedures also rose around 30 percent compared to other months.

Looking good has become very important in today’s society. Christina Clogg, co-founder of the GoodSurgeonGuide, said, “We were very surprised that it [looking good] was more important to some than a more successful career or finding someone special.” People are realizing that looking good is not only something that is reflected outwardly, it is also a psychological boost. People who undergo plastic surgery take from the experience a new found joy toward life. They have a confidence that allows them to live their life to its fullest and enjoy their journey through it. It is no wonder people are still willing to spend their money on plastic surgery during a recession; they know that looking good can make them happier.

Of treatments that are available the most popular for women is breast augmentation, followed by tummy tucks and liposuction, according to a survey by Harris Interactive on behalf of RealSelf.com. The motivations for procedures fall into a wide range of categories. Some people have a procedure done to be more competitive in the workplace. Others have weight loss surgeries in order to look more healthy. Still
others have a procedure for comfort. Whatever the reason, people are still rushing to the plastic surgeons during the recession.

Even male surgical procedures have risen dramatically in 2009. According to BAAPS the number of plastic surgical procedures performed on men in 2009 is 21 percent higher than the previous year. Everyone wants to look good and the recession is not going to change that. In fact the recession may indeed be fueling the rise in cosmetic procedures as people search for ways to stay marketable during hard times.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the number of men undergoing plastic surgical procedures has risen substantially in 2009. The increase is an amazing 21% in overall procedures performed on men. Cosmetic surgery is quickly becoming a men’s trend too.

The BAAPS reported that the increase in male procedures was most profoundly shown in the breast reduction (gynaecomastia). These procedures rose an astounding 80% between 2008, with 581 procedures. It is the third most popular procedure in men behind nose-jobs (rhinoplasty) and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

Many men have excess fat cells across there chest that they wish to have removed. Some even suffer from gynecomastia, the development of abnormally large mammary glands resulting in enlarged breasts. Men have tried in vain to get rid this excess fat through work outs, and diet plans.  Out of options, men have turned to plastic surgery to rid them of the embarrassing flab on their chests.

Many new advancements in technology have improved many of the procedures for plastic surgery. In fact, a new procedure is now available for breast reduction which utilizes radiofrequency assisted technology. This technology allows for a much less invasive procedure to remove the fat cells while at the same time tightening the loose skin. This replaces the painful pushing and pulling of liposuction and is drawing more and more patients.

The media has also made an impact on the plastic surgery scene. Mr. Rajiv Grover, consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS Secretary said, “This year we have recorded a dramatic rise in a number of male surgical procedures, probably due to heightened media attention, which has allowed men to realize the positive outcomes that can be achieved.”

The negative opinion that society once had toward plastic surgery no longer exists. People are much less judgmental of others who have undergone such a procedure and thus everyone is more apt to talk about the results of their procedure. With the plethora of positive testimonials available men are more inclined to consider a procedure to give them the body that they desire.

Over the past ten years plastic surgery has shed the shackles of negative opinion and emerged as a popular way to get the desirable body. Cosmetic surgery is no longer restricted to the rich and famous. Now they are common place throughout the masses around the world.

The UK is not exempt from this craze. In fact, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) , the overall number of plastic surgical procedures rose from 34,187 in 2008 to 36,482 in 2009. The public interest in cosmetic procedures is continuously growing in the UK, whereas the popularity is actually lessening in the US. There was a twelve percent decrease in cosmetic surgeries in the US from 2008-2009.

The number of women who underwent cosmetic procedures in 2009 was 32,859. Which is an increase of 5.4% over 2008. The highest change in procedures was breast reduction with in increase of 17%. As Cosmetic surgery becomes more mainstream, women are more confident in the procedures and thus are more willing to undergo plastic surgery.

There has also been a substantial rise in the number of men undergoing cosmetic surgery. The BAAPS reported that 3,623 men had plastic surgery in 2009, 21% more than in 2008. The area that increased the most for men was also breast reduction with an astounding increase of 80%. Increased media attention to plastic surgery is surely one of the reasons that more men have decided to undergo procedures. With more men seeing the positive outcomes of cosmetic surgery, the number of procedures will surely continue to rise.

Plastic surgery procedures have been improving over the years. New technology allows some procedures to be done with much less pain and the surgeries are becoming progressively faster. These technological advances have made plastic surgery less invasive and most of the recovery time is spent at home, instead of in the hospital. As these improvements are witnessed by more and more people the increase in the popularity of plastic surgery in the UK will persist.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon’s, also known by the wonderful acronym BAAPS, has been rewarded for highlighting irresponsible advertising within the plastic surgery industry. 

The Association Initiative of the Year award was given to the organisation at the prestigious Aesthetic Medical Awards (Second only to the Oscar’s don’t you know).  BAAPS president, Nigel Mercer, has expressed his delight at winning the award, being quoted as commenting:  “”We are delighted to receive this award from Aesthetic Medicine. At the BAAPS we have always worked hard to educate the public on the issues surrounding aesthetic procedures and it was a privilege to receive recognition from our peers.”

The campaign by the organisation has focussed on the standard and style of some advertising within the plastic surgery industry and this is testament to the fact that the scrutiny has paid off.  It is hoped that such campaigns, and indeed such award events as this, will help root out the last remaining bad elements of the vast and expansive industry and help build a cosmetic surgery community in which the best practises and customer care were always observed to the upmost degree.  It was felt that, in the past, the industry had been jeopardised by irresponsible advertising that was misleading customers in many elements of the cosmetic surgery enterprise. It is surely only fair that customers are told the risks, the costs and the possible side effects of any procedure they may to undertake; this information should also be told in a clear, easy to understand and precise manner. Such ideals are the driving force behind the BAAPS campaign and the reason they have been honoured in this manner. It is hoped that many more organisations will now follow their ethical lead and find new and innovative ways of cleaning up the industry.

Perhaps the key to BAAPS success (seriously, that acronym is great!) is that most of their members, and indeed their previously mentioned President, are all practising plastic surgeons themselves. This gives them a unique insight to the industry and means that they literally know the problems of the industry inside-out.  Hopefully, more plastic surgeons will follow their lead and, as we move into a new decade, we will finally be able to eradicate the final few shadows in the industry and let the beacon of aesthetic surgery shine out and change people’s lives up and down the country.