If you've had a cosmetic procedure...

...you were in good company, as these just-released 2007 Statistics on Cosmetic Surgery demonstrate:

In 2007, there were 11.7 million surgical and non-surgical procedures performed in the U.S.

18% were surgical

82% were non-surgical

From 2006-2007, cosmetic surgical procedures increased 8%, non-surgical procedures increased 1%.

Top Five Cosmetic Surgical Procedures:

1) Liposuction- 456,828

2) Breast Augmentation-399,440

3) Eyelid Surgery-240,763

4) Abdominoplasty-185,335

5) Breast Reduction-153,087

Top Five Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures:

1) Botox - 2,775,176;

2) Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Juavaderm) - 1,448,716

3) Laser Hair Removal - 1,412,657

4) Microdermabrasion - 829,658

5) IPL Laser - 647,707

Women had 91% of cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic Procedures by Age Group:

35-50 - 46%

19-34 – 21%

51-64 – 25%

65> - 6%

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Americans spent just under $13.2 billion on cosmetic procedures.

Of course, these are national numbers. Statistics for the local Charlotte County, Fort Myers, Bonita, Naples, Marco Island area will be proportionally smaller. Nevertheless, it appears that large numbers of your neighbors and friends are taking advantage of the rejuvenating possibilities with cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures.

As always, however, anyone you know - including yourself - should never undergo a cosmetic procedure without a thorough consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Why Plastic Surgery Board Certification? Because many doctors receive Board Certification in other specialties. While they may perform plastic surgery procedures, they do not have the specialized training that comes with Board Certification in the specialty of Plastic Surgery.

There are several Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Southwest Florida. I encourage you to consult with one of them before going forward with any procedure. I offer a complimentary, no charge, no obligation consultation to any patient considering my practice for a cosmetic procedure.

You can visit my website, Beauty-by-Brueck, for more information and use the secure, confidential "Ask the Doctor" form to ask a specific question, or call my office at 239-939-5233 to arrange an appointment. Ask for Dr. Brueck or my aesthetic assistant, Judy.

Thank you.

Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD FACS