Cosmetic surgery industry seeing recovery

The business of plastic surgery is looking better these days, according to local practitioners and industry statistics.

Garden City-based Long Island Plastic Surgical Group, one of the largest and oldest such practices in the country, saw a 30 percent increase in cosmetic procedures and a 10 percent jump in breast reconstruction in 2010 compared with 2009, said Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh, the group's president.

And Dr. James M. Romanelli, a plastic surgeon in Huntington, said his cosmetic surgery business rose 10 percent during the same period. Both local practices beat national figures, which showed plastic surgery was up 5 percent in 2010. The recession left growth static at best in the past few years.

"We definitely took a negative turn in '08 and things got worse in '09," Alizadeh said. "But now we're coming back."

Alizadeh said business is back to where it was in '07.

"There's no doubt people are starting to plan more for these procedures," Alizadeh said. "From a psychological standpoint, people are looking at this as an investment."

More people are seeking eyelid surgery in hopes of giving themselves a more youthful look so they can better compete in the workforce, Alizadeh added.

Romanelli said noninvasive procedures rose about 10 percent, and minimally invasive procedures were up about 2 percent.

"I think the economy is a little stronger," he said.

Alizadeh said he also sees a change in attitude toward plastic surgery.

"Young Americans are no longer seeing it as something to do when they are older," he said. "It's something to do when you're younger."

The Arlington Heights, Ill.-based American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that of the top five procedures in 2010, breast augmentations were first and tummy tucks were fifth.