life at... 60 something

BOOMER BEAUTY
Cosmetic Procedures
For Seniors
By Eleanor Jane Barone, M.D.

With the first wave of Baby Boomers approaching retirement age, plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures are gaining in popularity. Between 2005 and 2006, such procedures increased by 11 percent.

Because today’s seniors don’t feel “old,” they don’t want to look it either. A study of women ages 35 to 69 found that the majority wanted their faces to look 13 years younger. Moreover, in an AARP study of public attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, more than half of those age 55 and older felt elective cosmetic surgery was a viable option for those unhappy with their appearance. Five percent of the roughly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S. last year were for patients 65 and older, reports the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. That’s up 11 percent over 2005.

The top procedures? Primarily, eyelid surgery and Botox®. Also popular among the 60 plus crowd are face and forehead lifts, tummy tucks and breast augmentations and reductions. The recent lifting of the 14-year ban on silicone breast implants has made breast augmentation another option for this age group.

While many non-surgical procedures, such as Botox injections are available, they may not produce the best results for people 60 plus. As we age, skin loses elasticity and the injectable fillers and lasers that worked on 30- or 40-year old skin may not work so well anymore. Stronger methods may be needed.

Most treatments are safe for people of all ages, but older patients should alert the plastic surgeon to any medical conditions and thoroughly list all medications currently being taken.

THE RISKS

Chronic disease requiring steroids such as COPD/emphysema, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes are relative contraindications to cosmetic surgery. Smoking is an absolute contraindication to cosmetic surgery as it can cause death of the skin around the incision, which is obviously not the desired outcome in a facelift. Similarly, diabetes and steroids cause poor wound healing and increased infection.

The surgeon may be reluctant to proceed if he or she feels the patient is not being thorough or forthcoming enough about prior surgeries or health issues. In many cases, the plastic surgeon would consult with a patient’s other doctors to fully assess risk factors. Anyone of any age faces risks with even the most minor of surgeries.

Barone

Eleanor Jane Barone, M.D., is a Board Certified plastic surgeon at Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery on L.I.

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