Looking Ahead
Thankfully, some of the media coverage surrounding plastic surgery has been focused on the miraculous reconstructive work that plastic surgeons are doing to improve the quality of life for those who would otherwise not have access to help. It is becoming more and more common for plastic surgeons to donate their time and considerable talents to performing reconstructive surgery on children with debilitating birth defects who live in disadvantaged parts of the world. For many of these surgeons, it is their cosmetic surgery practices which allow them to offer their services to these less fortunate young people.
These displays of altruism have helped to improve public perception of plastic surgery, and to drive home the idea that reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery can work hand in hand to improve the quality of life for many. Perhaps this too is partly responsible for the staggering growth in the year-to-year numbers of people who get plastic surgery. Over the past 5 years, the number of plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide has increased by an average of 21% per year, and growth continues (albeit at a slower pace) even in today's uncetain economy.
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