The allure of a fresh start in the new year isn’t just about resolutions and self-improvement. It turns out that a significant portion of people also choose to kickstart their aesthetic journeys in the first half of the year. The Aesthetic Society’s 2022 statistics, gathered from interviews with top plastic surgeons across the United States, shed light on the latest cosmetic surgery trends. According to the recently published report, approximately 55 percent of all surgical procedures in 2022, including body and breast enhancements, were performed in the initial months of the year. Here are the reasons experts say their patients tend to schedule surgery earlier in the year.
Springing Into Self-Improvement
Southfield, MI plastic surgeon Mariam Awada, MD says, “Patients definitely start the year off with a focus on themselves, New Year’s resolutions, and preparation for spring.” With the winter months behind them, individuals seek to revamp their appearances, and surgical procedures help achieve these goals. “Making wellness and self-improvement a priority is making the greatest impact on proceeding with cosmetic surgery,” she says.
New York plastic surgeon Brad Gandolfi, MD emphasizes the role of seasons in patients’ decisions. “There is a seasonality to what we do. In the Northeast we have seasons and this, along with the school schedule, factor into when my patients choose to have their procedures,” he explains. “Many people also want to take advantage of winter weather because it makes concealing surgical recovery much easier. In the summer, I perform many procedures on people in education and reconstructive surgery on kids to allow for appropriate healing time without school disruptions.”
Post-Holiday Renewal
New York plastic surgeon Jordan S. Terner, MD underscores that the period after the holidays is the prime time for breast and body surgery. “I find that most body surgery is performed between January and April. There is another set of patients that like to have surgery in the fall, but after the holidays is by far the most common time for people to want breast and body surgery.” Following the hustle and bustle of this busy time, patients desire a fresh start. The desire to embrace the new year with a rejuvenated appearance fuels the demand for cosmetic procedures during this time.
Event-Driven Motivation
Richmond, VA plastic surgeon Ruth L. Hillelson, MD points out that her patients tend to plan around significant life events. “My patients are motivated by events like weddings, graduations, and then the holidays. In the spring I see lots of body contouring and fat busting. Also, this is a good time to undergo skin tightening of body. Now that we are into fall, making the face beautiful is a priority. Any discussion of face includes the décolleté.”
Clearing the Calendar
According to Encino, CA plastic surgeon George Sanders, MD there are two key reasons for the surge in early-year surgeries. Firstly, patients avoid scheduling surgeries in the fall due to the hectic nature of the season. “Secondly, clearing schedules by year-end, patients want to prioritize post-holiday procedures for a fresh start,” says Dr. Sanders. “They are now ready to proceed with an operation that requires a week or two of recovery. There is also the desire for a new beginning and keeping resolutions, one of which includes looking and feeling better.”
