UK plastic surgery industry experiences significant growth

Jan 31 2010

The US may have experienced a 12% decrease in the number of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, but the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons have a different story to tell. They found the UK experienced a 5% increase in demand from 2007 to 2008, and a 9% increase from 2008 to 2009.

Thanks to an 8.7% increase over the previous year, the UK plastic surgery industry reached a total market value of GBP536 million by the end of 2008. The reason for this is believed to be the addition of a number of new products and services that offer effective results with shorter recovery periods. A portion of the growth is also attributed to advancements in technology, which have improved a number of the current procedures being offered.

Financing options have also been attributed with a significant amount of the growth simply because it has made a number of larger procedures more affordable. Men have also been opting to have cosmetic treatments. In fact, this is currently the fastest growing demographic. Overall, procedures vary greatly in price, yet they have generally decreased slightly, which is a relief after several years of increases.

Breast enlargements may have cost an average of GBP4,350 in 2008, but in 2009, quoted prices ranged from GBP3,295 to GBP4,850, with GBP3,348 being an average. Patients do need to exercise caution when comparing the quotes offered by various clinics, however.

Many times, quotes only include two follow up care sessions and charge additional fees for the initial consultation. Other clinics include the initial consultation and a lifetime of follow up care appointments in their quotes. Also, the costs of an overnight stay in the hospital may or may not be included in the initial quote.

Rhytidectomies or facelift surgeries declined in a similar fashion in the UK. What once cost an estimated GBP6,750 in 2008 now falls around the GBP6,012 for the average facelift procedure. Patients will want to shop around and consider their choices carefully before making a final decision, however. Quoted prices did vary from GBP4,000 to GBP8,500, depending on the clinic chosen and the type of repairs necessary to achieve the desired results.

The average liposuction treatment was worth approximately GBP3,000 in 2008. In 2009, however, the same treatment averaged GBP2,881 and ranged anywhere from GBP2,000 to GBP5,150, depending on the clinic. Patients will find the actual costs for liposuction treatments will depend on numerous factors including how many areas require treatment, what the plastic surgery clinic defines as 'one area, and the patient's gender. Men will find they'll pay more for liposuction than women because their fat cells are harder and more fibrous, which makes them more difficult to remove.