Plastic Surgery During the Economic Downturn
Serving Kansas City, Independence, Overland Park
and Lee's Summit, Missouri
Talk of the economy is up, talk of spending is down, and many individuals outside of the plastic surgery industry are under the mistaken impression that 2008 saw a drastic drop in the number of cosmetic procedures performed. As a matter of fact, the face of plastic surgery has just had a mini-lift.
In 2008 the number of plastic surgery procedures actually increased. However, more minimally-invasive procedures were requested than the usual breast, face, and body surgeries. Despite this trend, the number of invasive surgeries was only down 9% last year – not the large percentage some individuals may have been led to believe.
Although the current economic situation may mean having to wait an extra month or two for the procedure you have been hoping for, here are a few tips to keep in mind when looking at plastic surgery in the face of an economy that is looking a little down in the mouth:
Beware of Cutting Costs
The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is truer in some fields than others, and plastic surgery is no exception. Urban legends about botched over-the-border surgeries may have more truth to them than the tales you heard around the campfire as a child. The ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) holds a set of rigid standards that each plastic surgeon must meet before being admitted. If you are seeking plastic surgery from an uncertified surgeon, you may be gambling with more than your money.
Rather than allowing a cut-rate, untrained surgeon to experiment with a new procedure he has always wanted to try, consider saving your pennies for a couple extra months. You may otherwise find that the “reduced cost” of amateur treatment may be the added cost of corrective surgery.
Consider Temporary Options
The world has seen economic downturns before, but the rise and fall of trends shows that our economy will improve again over time. Do not let media pessimism taint your view of the future. Remember that within a few years we will see an economic change which is likely to provide you with the resources to undergo whatever treatment you have been considering since before the economic drop.
Rather than give up on your aesthetic goals, consider short-term treatments, such as BOTOX®, or look into the possibility of financing your procedure. Get started with smaller procedures you plan to undergo at some point, and put aside a little extra every month with the goal of having breast augmentation early next year.
If you have questions about plastic surgery costs, please contact our Kansas City plastic surgery office today and learn how Summit Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, serving Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, can help you find the resources to meet your aesthetic goals.