The Golden Years—Polished with Surgery, an article in the NY Times Science Times section (Tuesday, August 9, 2011), features a picture of a vibrant looking 83-year-old grandmother and great-grandmother, who recently underwent a breast lift and breast implants. “I’m proud of the way I look,” she enthused.

The article goes on to report that according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2010 there were 84,685 surgical procedures among patients age 65 and older. They included 26,635 face-lifts; 24,783 cosmetic eyelid operations; 6,469 liposuctions; 5,874 breast reductions; 3,875 forehead lifts; 3,339 breast lifts and 2,414 breast augmentations.

The issue of medical and even psychological risks aside, would we do any of these procedures on this population?

According to The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, "The fact that our population's average life expectancies are increasing with every passing decade necessitates that plastic surgeons need to keep up and provide safe procedures to those who seek plastic surgical operations. I believe that in this older population group who are healthy, both mentally and physically, a well thought-out, safe surgical plan can be offered to those who have realistic expectations."

Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/health/09plastic.html?ref=science