Laugh lines no longer funny?
Increasingly, older adults are ditching the "aging gracefully" adage and turning to cosmetic surgery to improve their looks. So much so, that patients age 65 and up accounted for 90,911 procedures in 1998 - a number that has doubled since 1996 according to the
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
"Today, older adults are more youth-oriented than ever before," explains
Gary Brownstein, MD, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Virtua West Jersey Hospitals. "And, as long as patients are in good health, there's no reason why they shouldn't have a cosmetic procedure." The most commonly requested enhancements among older adults are eyelid surgery, facelifts, liposuction, and laser surgery. "Anyone considering cosmetic surgery, should carefully choose a qualified plastic surgeon," advises Dr. Brownstein. "Though no surgeon can guarantee the results of cosmetic surgery, a board certified plastic surgeon can provide the best care - and the best chance for a natural, satisfying result."