Medical Tourism Company Reports 300% Increase in Holiday Season Bookings

As the economy continues to improve at a steady rate, medical tourism companies are noticing a gradual increase in demand for overseas cosmetic surgery. Economists are pointing out that the recession economy will change course soon, and this is encouraging more bookings of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures.

According to Cosmetic Harmony, one of the world’s most recognized medical tourism companies, the holiday season and an improved economic outlook have triggered a “huge surge” in demand for procedures.

Cosmetic Harmony saw a 300% increase in reservations since last holiday season, pointing out that more people who held back during the credit crunch are now in a good position to pay for a relatively pricey vacation and get the cosmetic surgery they want.

Cosmetic Harmony is a medical tourism company based in Bogota, Colombia that offers cheap cosmetic surgery packages with procedures performed in a world-class facility. Anthony Giudice, Vice-President of Sales of Cosmetic Harmony indicates that “not only is our company experiencing a boom in the market, but Colombia as a country is also growing. The market is showing positive signs and there will be a progress in all the activities in Colombia. We are very proud of our surgeons who are ready to work hard this holiday season. It is due to their quality work that satisfies our patients and we are experiencing this surge in business.” (Source: Cosmetic Harmony Press Release)

Medical tourism experienced a significant boom in the early 2000s as surgeons and companies overseas offered attractively priced packages and treatment options for patients on every budget. Tummy tucks, breast augmentation procedures, body contouring and non-invasive procedures typically cost between 25% to 70% off the average price of procedures in the United States and the United Kingdom, and destinations including Argentina, Colombia, Bangkok and Thailand all offer significantly reduced pricing on several highly sought-after procedures.

Half of UK Secondary School Girls Considering Plastic Surgery

A recent report from Girlguiding UK reveals that almost 50%of girls between the ages of 16 and 21 would consider having surgery to change the way they look. The findings indicate that more than  one in ten girls between the ages of 11 and 16 would undergo gastric band or cosmetic surgery so that they could feel better about themselves, and researchers found a strong correlation between girls’ school achievement and their attitude toward their bodies.

According to the study, 43 percent of girls attending a secondary school whose performance was either good or outstanding would not consider plastic surgery, but a high percentage of girls who were getting satisfactory or poor grades would consider it.

Other research findings show that many young girls – especially those in the 11 to 16 year old age range – were simply not happy with their appearance, and that their self-esteem appeared to drop significantly during their teenage years. Some of the most common concerns about appearance of these young girls was to alter their teeth, improve their skin or hair, or make themselves thinner. Body shape was among the most important concerns for girls in this category, which is why gastric banding and other types of cosmetic surgery were considered to be a top priority for these young women.

The Girlguiding UK report concludes that, “Few girls up to the age of 16 consider using surgical methods to change their appearance, but once that becomes a genuine option at the age of 18, cosmetic surgery far outstrips all others as their procedure of choice…girls aged 16-21 demonstrate a high level of self-awareness when it comes to risky behaviors.” Even though many of these girls deal with issues surrounding alcohol, eating disorders and irresponsible sexual behavior, they are also often tackling issues surrounding their appearance and body image.

The full report from Girlsguiding UK can be found here.

Korea Quickly Becoming Plastic Surgery Hub in Asia

Thousands of Asian men and women interested in achieving a more ‘westernized’ look are among the top candidates for plastic and cosmetic surgery, and a recent report shows that demand for plastic surgery is booming in places like Korea.

According to ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com, people from China, Vietnam and Hong Kong are heading to Korea for facial bone contouring and cosmetic surgery of their eyes and noses. Korea has become a prime destination for these procedures because it offers attractively-priced surgery packages, and many Korean actors and musicians have reportedly set their sights on plastic surgeons in the area for their specialized skills and great results.

Foreign patients in Korea are about 33 percent higher in 2009 than they were in 2008, and most foreigners reportedly spend about twice as much money as regular Japanese tourists when undertaking their ‘medical vacation’, says the Plastic Surgery Channel.

In some cases, patients are willing to pay as much as three times more for surgery in Korea than other Asian countries, simply because of the track record of surgeons there and the fact that many celebrities have had their procedures in Korea.

Among the most sought-after procedures by the Asian community around the world are blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), lip enhancements, breast enhancement, facial bone contouring and rhinoplasty. Other popular surgeries include surgery of the calves to correct the common ‘radish shape’ of the upper leg and the removal of fat around the eyes. Laser skin resurfacing and skin lightening treatments are also at the top of the most sought-after list for Asian patients. Last year, Time magazine reported on the increasing demand in plastic and cosmetic surgery of Korean university students.

From Seol to Surabaya, young Asians were turning to cosmetic surgery immediately after graduating college in hopes of attracting the right mate and also improving their job prospects.  (Source: Time.com)

More Women Over 50 Seeking Plastic Surgery

While cosmetic and plastic surgery is often a top priority for men and women undergoing  a midlife crisis or other major life changes, industry experts are reporting an increase in demand for the plastic makeover in women over 50 years of age.

Cosmetic surgery group Mybreast based in London reports that they have seen a 20 percent increase in breast surgery patients from 50 to 65 years of age in 2009. According to Norman Waterhouse of Mybreast, “many women with large breasts have had discomfort for many years and by the time they reach 50 and over, they decide to do something about it.” (Source: Sys-Con.com)

Breast surgery typically has a high satisfaction rage among patients over 50 years of age, and is becoming more acceptable by many women in their 50s and 60s who want to improve their appearance.

Mybreast is an organization that uses specialized breast augmentation techniques to perform both surgical and non-surgical breast enhancement procedures. In addition to breast implants, the surgeons use breast reshaping techniques such as mastopexy and liposuction that help to create an attractive silhouette.

Breast augmentation continues to be one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures for women of all ages, and those who want to correct droopy or sagging breasts have several options for improving their silhouette. Mastoxepy, breast recontouring and skin tightening procedures can all help to create a more youthful appearance.

Stephen Hamilton, a consultant plastic surgeon with Mybreast, reports that there is much greater acceptance among women in the 50 to 60 year age group to undergo surgery, and there is little to no stigma attached. In addition to breast augmentation, popular anti aging procedures and surgery option for this age group include laser skin resurfacing, facelift surgery, liposuction, Endermologie and Botox injections.  More information about popular procedures can be found here.

Ideal Beauty Standards Vary by Race, Study Says

Researchers have long pointed out that the Western ideal of beauty differs significantly compared to other regions of the world, but a recent report presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in San Diego showed that the esthetic impressions of people of different races also shows a significant variance.

The study involved reviewing the preferences of a group of health professionals who work with facial esthetics compared to the preferences of artists and sculptors, and a group of general citizens with no affiliation to the facial esthetics industry. Participants in the study were asked to review six images of six women between the age of 18 and 30 years. Each woman had a different nasal height root variation.

The preferences of each group showed that the women with a low nasal root were considered to be ‘most beautiful’ by Brazilian health professionals, artists and the general public, followed by the women who had a regular position of the nasal root. The least beautiful women were those that had a high position of the nasal root. Nasal root was measured between the upper eyelid crease and the pupil level.

The findings of this study were presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO primarily to help surgeons understand how to tailor their procedure to meet their patient’s needs and achieve the ‘ideal’ facial appearance. While this study was designed to review the preferences of Brazilian health professionals and citizens, similar studies are underway to find out what the general populations in North America, Europe and Asia consider to be the ‘ideal’ beauty based on nasal root positioning and other key features. The results of these studies may be significantly different than the results of the Brazilian study.

(Source: MedicalNewsToday)

Rhinoplasty and Botox Most Sought-After Procedures in India

Typical Western traits such as a pointed nose, flat abs and large breasts are among the most-coveted characteristics in countries like India, and plastic surgeons overseas are finding that the demand for rhinoplasty and Botox is especially high in the urban cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata. More men and women from the upper middle class group are turning to plastic surgery to improve their chances of a good marriage, increasing self-confidence and securing a steady job.

There are currently no registries or organizations that track the number of cosmetic and non-surgical procedures performed in India, and but consultants and medical professionals at the major hospitals are able to track the number of procedures performed at their clinic.

According to a recent press release from New Delhi, Dr. Rakesh Khazanchi, a senior consultant in the Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery at the Sir Gangaram Hospital has found that demand for rhinoplasty, liposuction and abdominoplasty has increased approximately 150 percent in the last 5 years in India.

In addition to the surgical procedures, Dr. Khazanchi has found that many men and women in India are also turning to non-surgical procedures such as Botox and microdermabrasion to appear younger. Botox helps to eliminate deeper wrinkles and lines on the forehead and around the eyes, while microdermabrasion helps eliminate or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, nose and jaw areas. Microdermabrasion also helps the skin look healthier by removing the dry, dead layer of skin cells and increasing collagen production deep under the skin’s surface.

India is among several countries in the Far East that are growing in the fields of plastic and cosmetic surgery, and many citizens are opting for procedures that give them a more ‘Westernized’ appearance. According to Dr. Rajeev B. Ahuja, Chairman of IPRAS 2009 (15^th World Congress of International Confederation for Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), “Peer pressure and advertisements promising ‘picture perfect’ looks post –surgery, drive most men and women to undergo cosmetic surgeries.” (Source: IndiaPRWire.com)

Allergan Spends Over $1 Million to Sponsor Botox Training

With the emergence of Dysport, the new competitor of Botox in the United States, the makers of Botox have been stepping things up with a media campaign offering Botox ‘rebates’ to customer who purchased Botox in certain months in 2009. They have also been offering all-expenses-paid trips to doctors and nurses for a company-sponsored medical conference that educates professionals about the wrinkle-fighting drug.

In a recent story in The Daily Telegraph, Allergan spent approximately $1 million educating – and entertaining – doctors and nurses who may use Botox in their practice, putting them up in five-star hotels and providing meals at premium restaurants in the area over the length of the conference.

In Australia, Botox is the most requested treatment in 91 percent of clinics, and Internet searches on Google for Botox treatments in Australia have been up about 200 percent over the past year. In the United States, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox is still the most sought-after minimally invasive procedure. Dysport, the new Botox rival, has yet to make its mark with multi-million dollar sales that Allergan has reported over the years. Allergan reported total product net sales at $1,118.7 million on June 30, 2009, and has also presented to the FDA results from its two Phase III studies on the use of Botox for treating headaches and migraines this summer.

For the full year of 2009, Allergan estimates that total product net sales will be $4,200 million and $4,300 million. This includes sales of Botox (expected to be $1,200 million to $1,220 million), and Latisse (expected to reach $60 million by the end of 2009). (Source: Reuters.com)

Still, Allergan is willing to spend the money towards training and education of its doctors and nurses, and will be rolling out various educational programs for medical practitioners over the next few years.

Holly Madison Says Cosmetic Surgery Helped Boost Her Career

Holly Madison, former Playboy model and actress, recently interviewed with Life & Style Magazine about her life at the Playboy mansion and reports that much of her success can be attributed to plastic surgery.

In 2008, Ms. Madison (then 27), told US Weekly that she didn’t feel comfortable in her skin and admits that she had breast augmentation and rhinoplasty to improve her body image. In addition to her surgery, Holly says that she stays in shape with yoga workouts three times per week, weight training and hiking.

In the interview with Life & Style Magazine, Holly says that her insecurities are a thing of ht past, and that her career really took off after she had the surgery.

Reporter Liz Wolgemuth states that cosmetic surgery has become a part of life for many people who are looking for a career boost – and not just in Hollywood. Ms. Wolgemuth points to increasing research that says looks matter in the workplace, and self-confidence and self-image can help someone climb the corporate ladder with ease.

Earlier this year, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported that about two thirds of its member surgeons noticed an increase in demand for cosmetic surgery procedures by men and women that wanted to secure their jobs or interview for a new job in this competitive economy. Both men and women across several business industries including finance, marketing and advertising, are looking for effective, permanent ways to maintain their youthful looks, or even take off a few years.

Other research results published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal as far back as 1999 also indicate that cosmetic surgery has many positive psychological benefits and can improve quality of life for some people. (Source: U.S. Library of Medicine)

(Picture credit: bollywoodmovies.us)

ASPS Vice President Reports Increase in Demand for Lasers, Botox

The slowing economy has taken its toll on plastic surgeons across the country, but many surgeons are reporting a shift in consumer behavior, as more people seek ways to either finance their procedure, or select from more affordable services.

A recent story in the Poughkeepsie Journal reports that many plastic surgeons are finding people who are under pressure to look young and feel confident at work are looking for ways to cover their costs of surgery. The trend now is towards procedures that are easy on the wallet, and require little to no downtime.

Botox and laser skin rejuvenation treatments are among the most sought-after procedures during the economic downturn, because these procedures are relatively affordable and promise little to no downtime. Botox costs about $400 per injection (though it’s typically sold by the unit), and patients can return to work or other activities immediately after the treatment. Laser skin resurfacing treatments can cost up to $800 or more, and the patient will need a few days off work to heal. Still, the results can be significant enough to warrant a ‘splurge’ expenditure when compared to facelift surgery or dermabrasion.

Minimally invasive procedures have also become more widely available, and many medical spas that once only offered treatments such as medical-grade facials, microdermabrasion and laser hair removal, are beefing up their menus of services to include a lineup of injectable fillers, cellulite reduction treatments, Fraxel laser skin resurfacing, and even skin tightening treatments. Medical spas are filling the need for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging procedures, and cosmetic surgeons that add common medical spa services to their treatment schedules are tapping into this growing market.

For many people, these procedures are less of a luxury and more of an investment during these tough economic times. For some people, the boost of self-confidence from losing a few years from their appearance may help them secure their job during these tough economic times.

Packaged Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Appeal to Younger Female Market

While hundreds of women continue to sign up for ‘mommy makeover’ specials and other packaged procedures in hopes of undergoing an extreme makeover with the help of a plastic surgeon, some doctors are noticing that many younger patients – women in their 20s and 30s – are looking for similar packages to modify their looks.

In a recent press release from Delaware Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Evan Sorokin claims that he is seeing more of his younger breast enhancement patients showing interest in add-on procedures so that they can undergo a complete makeover. In addition to their breast implants and other breast enhancement procedures, these patients are interested in liposuction to get rid of a few unwanted pounds, and dermal fillers that can help them maintain their youthful looks.

Packaged procedures are becoming more common in cosmetic and plastic surgery centers across the country as more women are becoming comfortable with going under the knife. Many plastic surgeons offer packaged procedures at a reduced rate than purchasing procedures ‘a la carte’, and this marketing strategy is already used by medical tourism companies that offer inexpensive plastic surgery procedures abroad.

For younger patients entertaining the idea of undergoing a complete plastic surgery makeover, a one-on-one consultation with a doctor is necessary to ensure that the patient is in good health, and that they understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the procedure. Some women may not be eligible to undergo several procedures if they have certain health conditions or are taking certain types of medication. Others may not be emotionally or mentally ready to undergo such a transformation. Only a qualified surgeon can determine whether the young woman is ready for their surgery, and they are required to explain all of the risks, downtime involved and total cost of the procedures during the consultation.