Cosmetic surgery: It’s becoming increasingly common, but would you have it?

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) revealed that in 2015 there were 51,140 surgical procedures – up from 45,406 in 2014.

The figures reverse a recent decline in cosmetic surgery procedures, thought to be caused by the scandal of faulty
PIP breast implants and the recession.

A BBC Scotland programme, Facelifts And Fillers, is about to reveal what goes on behind the doors of a popular Scottish cosmetic surgery clinic.

Experts believe there is a growing acceptance of cosmetic surgery and non-surgical treatments such as Botox, and that more people now believe it isn’t just for celebrities.

Gwyneth Paltrow claimed she’d never have Botox again as: “I looked crazy.”

Despite the fact stars such as Lulu and Cameron Diaz also claim they’ve finished with fillers, there’s evidence their use is on the increase in “normal” women. And men aren’t immune to the thought of knocking a few years off their appearance either.

So what makes someone take the plunge and get a youth-boosting procedure?

We spoke to three people to find out.

Kate Tanguc

Age: 46
Procedure: Breast uplift, tummy tuck, neck lift, eye lift

Kate is so pleased with the surgery she’s had done she says if her three children decided in the future they wanted a cosmetic procedure she’d back them all the way.

“I had a breast uplift and a tummy tuck after having my kids. In fact I had them on my daughter’s 7th birthday and I felt guilty. But I’d decided – I’m putting myself first for once. And it’s been fantastic,” she says.

“So if my kids decide in the future they want something, I’ll be supportive – I’d be a hypocrite not to.”

Kate, who’s 46, tried working out to get back into shape after having kids.

“I really did exercise a lot. But when I finally saw a surgeon on the NHS about getting a tummy tuck, they said I couldn’t exercise it away, but neither would they give me an op.”

Kate turned to La Belle Forme clinic and decided to go ahead with the tummy tuck (from £5,000) and added a breast lift (from £5,000) for good measure.

“I was so excited and glad to be getting them both done I think it helped with my recovery,” she says.

“Within five weeks, I was lifting tyres above my head at circuit training!”

Kate, from Denny, was so pleased with the results that she’s gone on to have an iGuide neck lift (from £1,500) and an eye lift and that husband Ismail has always been completely supportive.

But ask if she’s becoming a cosmetic surgery addict, she’s not having any of it.

“Absolutely not. It’s just that I’m aware of what’s out there,” she says.

“And it’s so good for your confidence that I go to open days for the clinic and show people my tummy tuck scar, because that’s the kind of thing people want to know about but are too scared to ask!

“Would I have preferred cosmetic surgery or a dream holiday? I’d have chosen surgery every time.”

 

Ann Pearson

Age: 61
Procedure: Sculptra, Botox, fillers

Ann admits that having Botox and fillers is “total vanity” – but it was actually being diagnosed with breast cancer that made her consider having any cosmetic procedures carried out on her face.

“It was 1999 when I got cancer. I had a mastectomy and it took me two years to pluck up the courage to get a breast reconstruction,” she says.

“I chose to get it done because I had this thing under my bra that moved (a prosthetic breast), it was uncomfortable and I avoided changing rooms so I decided to go for it.

“Once I had that done I thought why would I bother going through a breast reconstruction if I’m not going to bother with my face?”

Ann, 61, says that straight away she knew she’d made the right decision.

“The first thing I had was Sculptra, which takes away that gaunt look,” she says. “And now I get regular Botox and fillers. I love it – it’s my treat to myself.”

Ann, who has her treatment from the Transform group, says she’s had repeated sessions since.

You might be surprised to hear that she’s delighted no one has spotted she looks less lined.

“Really, no-one noticed, which is FABULOUS!” she laughs.

“Just what I wanted. Everyone asked if I’d had my hair done, which was exactly what Transform told me people would say!”

Ann, of Newcastle, thought seriously about getting her first treatment as her milestone 60th birthday approached.

“It wasn’t just my 60th. Both my daughters were graduating, I had my mother’s 90th birthday and my 25th wedding anniversary,” she says.

“I knew there would be loads of cameras and I was at the stage where I actively swerved having photos taken!”

Ann, who’s a behavioural consultant working in schools, says no one tried to talk her out of it – and husband Robert was all for it because he knew it would make her feel better about herself.

“I felt I couldn’t justify the money at first – my initial treatment was about £1,200,” Ann says.

“He told me to get on with it because he knew I’d change my mind if I thought about it.

“I’ve no regrets and think it’s been worth every penny.”

Andrew Sneddon

Age: 58
Procedure: PRP, laser therapy, Botox

Andrew believes he was the first man in Scotland to get a “vampire” face lift.

“I first considered getting some work done about four years ago. It was partly because I looked a bit tired and old – and because I work in the hairdressing industry. A lot of people in the business are a lot younger – plus there are very bright lights in the shop as well!” he laughs.

Andrew, who works at Merchant City Barbers in Glasgow, did his research before taking the plunge.

“I thought about it for a few months and looked into it.

“Then I went to see Taimur Shoaib at his La Belle Forme clinic in Glasgow. I asked him tons of questions and still wasn’t sure so he told me to go away and think about it,” he says.

“I knew I didn’t want to be cut open or anything like that. And I definitely didn’t want the wind tunnel effect, either! But I liked what Taimur suggested and eventually took the plunge.”

A vampire face lift – about £600 – is the nickname given to Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which involves taking blood from the patient, extracting platelet-rich plasma and injecting it into the skin, reducing lines and wrinkles.

It might sound a bit gruesome – it’s not called a vampire face lift for nothing! – but Andrew says it was a breeze and the results were worth it.

“Your skin is numbed so I didn’t really feel it,” he says.

“I didn’t notice the difference until about two weeks after I’d had it done. Then it started settling down and it got better and better – I looked much less tired, lined and just fresher and more youthful.”

And if you think a man getting several procedures is unusual – he has also had laser treatment, Botox and fillers – then Andrew is here to put you straight.

“Even men in their 20s want things done now,” he says.

“I get men coming into the barber’s talking about getting work done.

“I think wait until you get a couple of decades on and then you’ll know what you’re talking about!”

Options

Having any sort of cosmetic procedure is a huge decision to take.

We asked consultant plastic surgeon Taimur Shoaib, owner of La Belle Forme, what to think about before taking the plunge. “60 is the new 40,” he says. “Age is just a number nowadays.

“I have lots of women – and men – who say they look in the mirror and simply don’t look as good as they feel.

“As a result they are trying out all the latest options available.

“Twenty years ago, a facelift, a brow lift or eye surgery would require a general anaesthetic and a night’s stay in hospital. That’s no longer the case.

“Modern advances in technology also produce excellent results.

“Patients have so much choice these days, so it makes sense to study what is out there, see what people are saying online on the forums, and choose a surgery or clinic wisely.

“For those opting to go under the knife, always make sure your surgeon is a medically qualified doctor and on the specialist register of plastic surgeons.

“People are no longer scared about speaking about having plastic surgery and, as a result, it is becoming much more popular.

“It is now part of our celebrity culture and features on TV programmes and magazines, so that has also made it much more attractive to people of all ages and from all walks of life.”