In America, tummy tucks rose by 9% from 2005 to 2006 while the rate of less invasive procedures also grew. The most common procedures performed in 2006 were Botox injections, breast augmentations, nose operations and liposuction.



UK interest in plastic surgery is also on the increase. The number of British citizens requesting information during the first two weeks of 2008 was 32% larger than the number of requests during the first two weeks of 2007.

This year BAAPS (the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) found increases for both genders in a wide variety of cosmetic procedures. The total number of plastic surgeries performed by BAAPS members rose by 12.2% between 2006 and 2007. While the study found that women comprise the majority of cosmetic surgery patients, the number of males seeking such procedures also rose by 17.5% during this same time span.

Not only is the rise in fascination true for both genders, it also crosses all ethnic and cultural groups. An AAAPS (the American Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) study stated that there was a 400% rise in such procedures among non-Caucasian people between the years of 1997 and 2002.

Countries in Asia are also experiencing a rapid growth in the number of cosmetic operations. A public medical facility in Shanghai states that it performs 20,000 cosmetic operations each year. In 2001 NPR (National Public Radio) reported that such procedures are becoming more frequent among women in Iran despite the fact that Iranian women are required to wear clothing which hides most physical features.

So why does the frequency of these operations continue to grow? There is no single answer to this question.

Some experts believe that the reason lies in the increased financial accessibility as well as advances in technologies that have made cosmetic procedures less risky.

Experts have also pointed to the role of the media for the increased popularity. Television programs have placed plastic surgery in the public spotlight.

Still another factor results from some individuals having an operation to reverse earlier cosmetic procedures. Reversing an earlier procedure is becoming common enough that some surgeons are now referring to themselves as "revision plastic surgeons". As much as 50% of the caseload of these surgeons may result from people wishing to reverse an earlier operation.

The growing popularity concerns some medical professionals. They worry that these operations are being treated as "a commodity" by the public. They stress the need for education as well as the need for careful deliberation. It is important to remember that there are risks just as with any type of surgery. Therefore, experts stress the importance of performing preoperative tests to ensure that these operations are only performed on healthy patients.

It is likely that interest in plastic surgery will continue to grow rapidly. Whatever the primary cause of this rapid growth, it is important that potential patients work with their doctors to take steps to ensure the safety and success of the operation.