Baby Boomers and even those beyond the Baby Boom generation are taking this literally according to reports of Plastic Surgeons around the country who indicate that over the last five years, the number of cosmetic surgery patients greater than age 65 has increased by 352 percent.
Our population may be aging chronologically, but not physically -- if plastic surgeons have anything to do with it.
Any type of surgical procedure or operation poses risks, however, little research up to this point has been performed in order to analyze the ramifications of plastic surgery for older patients. One recent report, published in June of 2011 in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that the hazards of plastic surgery performed for people over age 65 are no greater than those for younger populations.
Data reviews have provided positive indicators, such as those from Cleveland Clinic researchers who reviewed the medical records over a period of three years for 216 facelift patients. The report found that there were no significant differences between one group of patients whose average age was 70 and another group whose average age was 57.6 - for occurrences of major or minor complications.
There are a multitude of reasons that older people may be seeking plastic surgery. People are living longer, feeling better and remaining in good health much longer than previously. Many people feel good, feel younger and are literally shocked by what their mirror reports to them. Some Boomers and older, are interested in potential mates and others wish to continue their work, are looking for jobs or consulting positions and feel they need to be perceived as more energetic and youthful.
Some of the age-challenged are simply sick of heavily furrowed mouths and chins, baggy eyes, jiggly underarms, wrinkled necks and saggy eyelids. Tucking a hand under a chin may no longer be doing the trick...
There are, of course, special precautions doctors must take into consideration with the older patient. High blood pressure, coronary artery disease and other potential medical problems must be carefully evaluated prior to any procedure. However, the older patient has at least one distinct advantage over the younger -- as research has indicated the more senior patient is less likely to suffer from prominent scarring (hypertrophic scars).
Contact Dr. Diana Breister Ghosh - (619) 822-1667 - for your own private consultation and evaluation for a New You this New Year!