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Cosmetic Surgeons See Wrinkle in Economic Downturn

Patients opting for less costly treatments

January 15, 2009

• Plastic Surgery Group Pleads Guilty In Unlicensed "Botox" Case • Cosmetic Surgeons See Wrinkle in Economic Downturn • FDA Cracks Down on Illegal Botox Scammers • Do-It-Yourself Botox Not a Good Idea • Class Action Charges Botox Killed, Injured Consumers • Botox Maker Subpoenaed By Justice Department • FDA Issues Botox Warning • Public Citizen Wants Stricter Botox Warnings • A New Wrinkle: Botox Users May Become "Addicted" --- • Consumer Complaints

Car dealers aren't the only ones hit hard by the recession. Cosmetic surgeons, it seems, are hurting too.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery says its 2008 Economic Impact Survey shows that almost all cosmetic surgeons — 95.9 percent — were concerned about the economic downturn in the U.S. and about eight in ten cosmetic surgeons say they have already been affected.

Additionally, cosmetic surgeons indicated both patient volume and gross billings for cosmetic surgery has declined by about one-third.

When asked about patient choices, cosmetic surgeons indicated more patients were choosing non-surgical and less expensive procedures. Seven in ten indicated that more of their patients were choosing non-surgical procedures such as Botox and other fillers while more than eight in ten said that more patients were choosing less expensive procedures.

"This survey reiterates the struggle consumers have to afford cosmetic procedures," said Dr. Patrick McMenamin, MD, President of the AACS. "We are all feeling the pinch but continue to be optimistic that the cosmetic surgery industry will rebound and in turn grow stronger within the next year."

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