Breast implants and lifts soaring in popularity in UK

Breast implants and lifts soaring in popularity in UK

The number of women in the UK opting to have cosmetic surgery carried out on their breasts is skyrocketing, according to new research.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons recently revealed that breast implants are by far the most popular cosmetic procedure carried out in the UK.

Breast augmentations done by BAAPS-registered surgeons last year numbered 9,418, whilst the total number of British women opting for breast implants hit the 25,000 mark.

Whilst women recovering from breast cancer opted for the procedures, they accounted for just five per cent of the surgeries carried out each year, according to The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The vast majority – 95 per cent – is made up of women opting for the procedures purely for cosmetic reasons.

BAAPS also reported a year-on-year rise of ten per cent in the number of procedures carried out in 2010 and 2011.

Consultant plastic and hand surgeon at Leeds-based St James's University Hospital, Professor Simon Kay, explained the rise to The Guardian newspaper, saying, “The thing about breast augmentation is that it's a very safe procedure, very reliable, with a very high rate of satisfaction, and a very low complication rate.”

Former president of BAAPS and consultant plastic surgeon, Nigel Mercer, agreed, telling the newspaper, “Breast surgery is now seen as an entirely routine procedure, like having tonsils out.”