DALLAS, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Among older Americans, those 65 and older, the number of cosmetic procedures soared -- 115,709 in 1997 to 684,768 in 2010, a Dallas plastic surgeon says.
Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says Americans spent $10 billion last year on cosmetic surgeries such as eyebrow lifts and tummy tucks.
Many want to maintain a youthful-looking edge in the job market, while others say they just want their outward appearance to reflect their inner vitality, Rohrich says.
"Cosmetic surgery is not age-limited anymore," Rohrich says in a statement.
"With people working longer in life, they need to look as good as they feel. And they often have the means to do so."
However, patients need to make sure they are physically healthy if they are considering cosmetic surgery and recognize the danger they face, Rohrich adds.
"Cosmetic surgery is still real surgery, with real results as well as potential risks," Rohrich says. "When performing cosmetic surgery on patients in this age group, I tend to be more conservative. Less is more in all aspects, from rhinoplasty to face lifts to tummy tucks."
