Even with the ongoing recession, cosmetic surgery is becoming more common in the UK. Breast augmentations remain the most popular choice among women, while it seems the struggling economy is also encouraging men to slim down. Tummy tucks for men are on the rise, and this increase in demand shows no sign of slowing down. Interestingly, last year’s breast implant scandal didn’t seem to shake the UK’s confidence in the benefits of cosmetic surgery.

**Popular Procedures**

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPs), tummy tuck surgeries, known as abdominoplasty, have seen a 15% increase, and overall cosmetic surgery for men has grown by 5.6%. BAAPs, which represents about a third of all plastic surgeons in the UK, reported that in 2011, 43,069 surgeries were performed by its members, compared to 38,274 in 2010. That’s a 5.8% rise, with women accounting for 38,771 of these procedures.

The audit also looked at fat transfer operations, where fat is moved from one part of the body to another—mainly the face—to restore volume. These procedures increased by 5% among both men and women, making them the sixth most popular for men and eighth for women. Notably, not a single cosmetic procedure has lost popularity over the last year.

**Top Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Women**

In 2011, women made up 90% of all cosmetic surgeries in the UK. The top procedures included:
– Breast augmentation, which increased by 6.2% from 2010.
– Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, which grew by 4.8% and became the second most popular.
– Face and neck lifts held third place for the second year, with 4,700 procedures done.

**Top Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Men**

Men accounted for 10% of cosmetic surgeries in 2011, with the most frequent procedures being:
– Gynaecomastia, or ‘man boob’ operations, grew by 7%, with 790 procedures in 2011 compared to 741 in 2010.
– Male liposuction rose by 8%.
– Rhinoplasty, or nose jobs, increased by 5%, although this was a drop from last year’s 13.2%.
– Eyelid surgery grew by 5%, with 684 procedures in 2011.

**Conclusion**

British people seeking cosmetic surgery often focus on specific areas like breasts, eyelids, and noses. There’s also been a noticeable rise in liposuction and tummy tucks, partly due to more people having obesity-related surgeries like gastric bands. These operations often help with loose skin and other issues that can only be corrected surgically. The ongoing popularity of cosmetic procedures during financial hardship shows that many in the UK value the physical improvements these surgeries provide.

With private hospitals across the UK offering cosmetic procedures, it’s easier than ever to access these services. If you’re curious about what’s available, consider booking a consultation at a local private hospital. However, remember that this information isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, so if you have any questions, be sure to talk to your GP or another healthcare provider. The statistics mentioned are sourced from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPs).