Cosmetic surgery procedures increasing in Britain and globally

Plastic surgery procedures are currently on the up, both in Britain and the rest of the world. A recent survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) has revealed that 20 percent of South Korean women have now undergone cosmetic surgery, and in the United Kingdom in 2012, women underwent 39,070 surgical procedures – up 0.8 percent since 2011. In the United States, well over 1,000,000 total surgeries were performed in 2011, accounting for around one sixth of the global 6,371,070 operations performed that year.

So, why are so many of us choosing to go under the knife?  Whilst some critics blast the media’s portrayal of the perfect man or woman as a catalyst for the increase in those undergoing such procedures, many disagree. Former ISAPS president, surgeon Bryan Mendelson, says that his patients undergo surgeries to boost their self esteem. He explained: “People have surgery not to impress others, they do it to impress themselves…For many people, it’s about getting their confidence back.”

An increasing number of patients are now choosing to go abroad for their treatments, both for the savings that clinics in other countries can offer and because of the equally excellent medical care available abroad. Figures from the website cosmeticsurgeryabroad.com show that there can be remarkable savings to be made in lots of other European countries. A breast enlargement costing between £3,500 – £5,000 in the UK starts at as little as £2,000 in Belgium whilst liposuction may cost £2,000 in France and just £1,000 in Eastern Europe.

It is Eastern European countries which are quickly becoming the number one destination for people seeking affordable plastic surgery with exceptional care and facilities, especially as budget flights have become more prevalent and clinics can offer pre-operative and follow-up care in English. A clinic like Asklepion, with branches located in Prague, where the clinic is one of Central Europe’s largest providers of plastic surgery, Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně, provides high-quality, popular surgeries such as facelifts, breast augmentations and tummy tucks just a short flight from the UK.

As well as the cosmetic procedure itself, many patients enjoy the chance to holiday before their surgery or to recuperate in another country. In the case of Asklepion, to which ISAPS has awarded a certificate of diamond quality, the clinics can help provide accommodation beyond the recovery period in the hospital in hotels or apartments ranging from  3*-5*, as well as airport transfers, making the stay as easy and relaxed as possible.

As cosmetic surgery becomes more and more popular, the options available to those wishing to undergo plastic surgery are becoming wider and wider. Of course, the most important thing when considering surgery is to be armed with as much knowledge as possible – to choose the right surgeon and clinic in the right location, to get as much information about the procedure and recovery time as possible and to be fully aware of the risks and benefits of the surgery you choose to undergo.

Abbie Cavendish