Plastic Surgery Top Ten: 2000 decade's biggest trends
2010's start gives us the perspective to look back over the decade of 2000 and decide what the most important trends were in plastic surgery. The publication Plastic Surgery News did this in their Jan/Feb issue and here is their list:
10) MEDICAL TOURISM increases and raises the concern about sacrificing quality for cost.
9) Increased OFFICE-BASED COSMETIC SURGERY -- now chosen by the majority of patients over a hospital or out-patient multi-use facility.
8) Increase in MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS patients, following gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery.
7) POLITICAL ADVOCACY for plastic surgery, including stopping the national cosmetic procedure 5% tax from Washington and various state bills.
6) Stressing HIGH STANDARDS. After high profile deaths including Kanye West's mother Donda, and the author of First Wives Club Olivia Goldsmith, the media and the public became more interested in the message of quality & safety repeated by the American Society of Plastic Surgery.
5) Hyaluronic acid SOFT TISSUE FILLERS (Restylane, Juvederm, etc.) and others became available, offering patients new options for facial aesthetic enhancement. The injectable products influenced many non-plastic surgeons to become cosmetic physicians (outside their primary specialty).
4) BOTOX became FDA approved for cosmetic use in 2002 and launched a major trend in non-surgical cosmetic medicine. Dysport continued the trend and PurTox and Xeomin await FDA approval in 2010.
3) "REALITY TV" found millions of viewers eager for plastic surgery entertainment, and spawned several copycat series. Plastic surgeons saw a new openness and interest among patients.
2) SILICONE GEL implants were allowed back by an FDA decision in 2006. Long-term studies of newer models are underway.
AND FINALLY...
1) FACE TRANSPLANTATION becomes a reality. Two such procedures have been performed in the US, and several others overseas. Victims of our recent wars may be the next major area for this marvelous reconstructive work.
We can only hope that the next decade will bring as many wonderful and exciting advances to plastic surgery, so that we have even more to offer our patients.
