American Society of Plastic Surgeons Survey Reports

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2003

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – These days women are not the only ones considering a nip and tuck to maintain or enhance their appearance. Liposuction and laser hair removal are the top cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that men would choose to have performed according to a recent survey of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS.)

“These survey results confirm what we see in our practices,” said ASPS President James Wells, MD, Long Beach, Calif. “Men are as concerned as women with maintaining a look that corresponds to the way they feel. Eating right and exercising doesn’t remove wrinkles or eliminate stubborn fat around the waistline, and men want to see results for their efforts.”

When asked what they would change about their appearance 45 percent of men would change their body contour, 25 percent would change signs of facial aging, 13 percent would change their nose, 12 percent would change their chest and five percent would change their legs.

Of the more than 2,000 men surveyed, 72 percent approved of cosmetic plastic surgery for themselves or others, 18 percent were undecided and 10 percent disapproved. If these men were to have cosmetic plastic surgery, 87 percent would have it for personal reasons, 7 percent for relationship-related reasons and 4 percent would choose it for job reasons. In 2001, nearly 1 million men had a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, making up 13 percent of patients.

Andrew Rukavina, Ivanhoe, Ill., had liposuction and Botox procedures. “I sacrificed some of my physical makeup over the years to hard work, long hours and stress, and I wanted to get some of that back,” said Rukavina now in his mid-forties. “I get a lot of business based on looking the part of the successful attorney, too, which helped me decide to have cosmetic plastic surgery.”

According to the ASPS good candidates for plastic surgery have realistic expectations and understand that a procedure can enhance appearance and self-confidence, but won’t necessarily match their ideal or cause people to treat them differently.

Before deciding on any cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, check the physician’s credentials. Choose a plastic surgeon who is an ASPS member, which verifies their certification by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. These board-certified plastic surgeons have graduated from an accredited medical school, completed at least five years of residency – a minimum of three years of general surgery and at least two years of plastic surgery. In addition, they have passed rigid oral and written exams and abide by a strict code of ethics.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.