The Surge in Cosmetic Surgery

It is a fact that 92% of surgical procedures in the UK are undertaken by women. However, men are starting to catch up. The number of people having cosmetic surgery is rising by the year, so what are the most favoured procedures?

No surprises that the most common surgical desire for women is breast enlargement. This, however, is interestingly and closely followed by breast reduction surgery. Women with large breasts often complain about back pain and other related medical problems so why women seek to enlarge their breasts of their own accord is mystifying. It is important to note that breast enlargement is major surgery and should not be undertaken on a whim. It can often take up to three and a half hours to perform the surgery under general anesthetic and the recovery time can take weeks before you’re back to your normal self.

Rhinoplasty (nose-job to you and me) was top of men’s wish lists last year. This procedure is not for the faint hearted as the nose gets broken, chiseled and smoothed in order to create the desired shape. The facial swelling and bruising incurred after the operation can last for up to three weeks and you will have to wear a facial splint for this time. Something to seriously consider!

Surprisingly, eyelid surgery and liposuction came in the top third and fourth position for men. Otoplasty is also common amongst men. This surgery if often carried out on children whose ears are too prominent, but now men are having their ears repositioned in adult-hood. Reshaping the cartilage to create a natural fold enabling the ear to lie flat forms the basis of this surgery and it can be carried our under general or local anaesthetic with recovery time only being a few weeks.

Eyelid surgery ranked third position for both men and women. Excess skin, fat and sagging muscle can all be removed from the eye area, usually under general anaesthetic and stitches are usually removed within a week.

Liposuction is also a popular procedure for both men and women. However, women are still higher up in the statistics than men due to the fact that women store fat more readily than men. It does seem, though, that men are getting more self aware and concerned about their unsightly beer bellies just as much as women are about the wobbly thighs.

It is important to note that any cosmetic surgery must be hugely researched before anything is decided upon and must be carried out by well-known and qualified surgeon. Don’t just go for the best price you find.