Number of Cosmetic Surgeries in UK fell 40% in 2016

Mr Daniel Ezra, Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon, based at Moorfields Eye Hospital commenting on new data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) revealing the number of cosmetic operations conducted last year fell 40% to a near-decade low from a record-breaking high in 2015.

“My take on this is that this is a limited audit by ‘general plastic surgeons’. In my practice, there is a trend now for patients to see specialists in one area of surgery, like eyes or BoNT only. I don’t think that everyone has been seeing these kinds of reductions and it may be simplistic to say that it is all on the decline. I have seen a 20% rise in male patients visiting me specifically for minor surgery, such as facial fillers and fat transfer and women for crow’s feet and the ‘spock brow’.

In my experience, less patients are getting ‘general plastic surgery’ because they are visiting specialist surgeons like myself for corrective surgery.Over the past 1-2 years, we have seen a rise in the number of patients seeking advice following problems with initial cosmetic surgery. The whole “re-do” sector of cosmetic surgery is not openly talked about and I think we need to address it as surgeons to protect patients and provide the best possible care.