To: Health and Medical reporters
Contact: LaSandra Cooper or Brian Hugins, 847-228-9900, both of American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or [email protected]
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., /U.S. Newswire/ -- Ninety-four percent of plastic surgeons responding to a survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report that in the past five years the number of people seeking body contouring plastic surgery procedures following massive weight loss (MWL) has dramatically increased in their practices. More than 52,000 body contouring procedures following massive weight loss were performed in 2003, and an increase of 36 percent is projected in 2004. According to a proprietary ASPS survey, plastic surgeons are being inundated with patients seeking these procedures. ASPS members report the demand is also driving growth in other areas of their cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery practices. Survey Highlights -- 94 percent of responding ASPS members say the number of patients seeking surgery following massive weight loss (MWL) has grown exponentially in the last five years. -- 79 percent of responding ASPS members currently perform body contouring procedures following MWL. -- 85 percent of responding ASPS members see one to two MWL patients each week. -- 77 percent perform surgery on MWL patients each month. -- The majority, 59 percent of responding ASPS surgeons, have developed a collaborative relationship with bariatric surgeons. -- Body contouring surgery is not performed immediately after bariatric surgery. Eighty percent of members surveyed perform plastic surgery between 12 and 18 months after bariatric surgery. -- The three most common surgical procedures performed are abdominoplasty, breast surgery and brachioplasty (upper arms). These are followed closely by middle thigh lift and, to a lesser degree, facial rejuvenation.
As the demand for plastic surgery following massive weight loss continues to grow, refined techniques and new technologies will continue to be developed. ASPS members strongly support ongoing education and information as a means to further improve patient outcomes. For the latest information on this and other cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, visit the ASPS Web site at http://www.plasticsurgery.org.
For referrals to plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, call ASPS at 888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org. ASPS is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and the foremost authority on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. With nearly 5,000 members, more than any other plastic surgery organization, ASPS is the definitive voice of the plastic surgery specialty. Viewed throughout the world as the pinnacle of information for new techniques, advances and plastic surgery trends, the society represents 94 percent of all the board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. Ninety-four percent of all ASPS members perform cosmetic plastic surgery and 89 percent of all ASPS members perform reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS, founded in 1931, represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
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