Cosmetic Surgery Safe for Elderly Patients

Did you know that over 84,000 patients over 65 years of age sought cosmetic surgery in 2012? Although many of these procedures were eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasty), which of course have a sound medical basis to help vision, many were also facelifts, breast reductions and even the occasional breast augmentation. One such example is the 80 year old Phyllis Porter, whom Good Morning America reported on. She had a facelift, an eyelift, lip augmentation, and breast implants, as well as a chemical peel! You just do not expect that of an 80 year old woman, and while Ms. Porter is probably the exception to the rule for undergoing so many procedures at once at her age, many seniors are having cosmetic surgery. The number of elderly people having cosmetic surgery has increased over 350% in the past 5 years.

Why wouldn’t vital seniors want to look as young as they feel? Is there a downside to this trend? One study reported that the risk was not significantly higher than procedures performed on younger patients, when older patients were properly screened. So it seems age is not the most important determining factor in screening appropriate candidates for procedures, health is. It is important to screen for medical conditions that could complicate surgery, such as diabetes or heart conditions, anything that would impede circulation or the strength of the immune system. In fact, this is critical in younger patients too.

What happens when patients are not screened? As reported recently by the New York Times, a New York plastic surgeon was charged with manslaughter for performing liposuction on a woman who had a transplanted heart and was taking anti-rejection medications! These drugs are known to lower immune function. This woman was certainly not a candidate for liposuction and her cardiologist had not been contacted. This woman was only 51 years old. Proper screening of patients is critical. When there are existing medical conditions, a patient’s doctors have to confer over the risks of any elective procedure.

It is claimed that as the “baby boomer” generation ages, we will find more and more elderly patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Whether it be facelifts or blepharoplasty, at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, safety comes first! It is important to report any medical condition you may have so that we can evaluate you as a patient. Your health always comes first.

Dr. Branman

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up your consultation with me. 501-277-0707