The United States reported a 12% decrease in surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatment. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, however, reported a 9% increase in demand in 2009, which follows 5% increase experienced the previous year. By the end of 2008, the UK market value had reached a staggering £536 million, which is an 8.7% increase from 2007.
Several factors are being cited as the reason for the growth in recent years. Technological advancements have improved the results and minimized the invasiveness and costs of many treatments and procedures. Numerous non-surgical cosmetic treatments and services have also been added, which feature effective results and a shorter recovery period, if any.
Recent changes in financing options including better rates have made many of the larger procedures more affordable. A significant increase in the number of men receiving cosmetic treatments and plastic surgery has also helped the numbers. And, while the various procedures vary greatly in price, costs have generally fallen. This is a welcome relief after several years of price hikes.
Patients receiving a breast enlargement would have paid an average of £4,350 in 2008. In 2009, however, they would have paid anywhere from £3,295 to £4,850 with the average price being £3,348. Patients do need to read the fine print and choose their clinics carefully in order to find the best deal. Some quotes only include up to two follow up appointments while other clinics offer a lifetime of appointments in their quote. Some plastic surgery clinics will also tack on additional charges for initial consultations, and overnight hospital stays.
Facelift surgeries also referred to as rhytidectomies, experienced a similar decrease in price across the UK. What once cost £6,750 in 2008 fell in price to £6,012 in 2009 for the average procedure. Shopping around is the best way for patients to find the best deal, however. Quoted prices ranged from £4,000 to £8,500 depending on the clinic and the work required.
Average liposuction prices fell from approximately £3,000 in 2008 to £2,881 in 2009. And when collecting quotes for the procedure, patients found they varied anywhere from £2,000 to £5,150 depending on the clinic the quote was received from. Anyone quoting liposuction treatments need to be aware that the actual cost will vary significantly, since the price changes according to the area being treated, what the clinic considers a single area, and the gender of the patient. Men will generally pay more per treatment than females because their fat cells are harder and far more fibrous, which makes them much more difficult to remove.
Patients need to be very careful when comparing the quotes from each clinics. And, as always, a ‘cheaper’ surgery isn’t necessarily the best choice. Patients should always choose the clinic he or she is most comfortable with.
