At his Rhode Island plastic surgery practice, Dr. Patrick Sullivan says he has seen a swell in middle aged professionals at his practice undergoing cosmetic procedures, as more people are looking to enhance their appearance for a more vibrant and refreshed look. Dr. Sullivan discusses effects of the economic downturn on plastic surgery popularity, as well as the rising population of the middle aged working class that is interested in aesthetic rejuvenation and the practice’s recent introduction of financing options for plastic surgery procedures.
According to the latest study from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 48% of the 13.1 million cosmetic procedures in 2010 were performed on 40-54 year olds, an increase of 6% since 2009 to a total of 6 million enhancements in that age bracket. The ASPS statistics also show that plastic surgery procedures among 30-39 year olds grew by 4% in the past year to 2.4 million total. Dr. Patrick Sullivan, a plastic surgeon in Rhode Island, says he has seen an even greater increase in his practice in the rising number of middle aged professionals seeking cosmetic enhancements. Despite the current economic downturn, Dr. Sullivan says he is seeing more patients in these age groups making aesthetic changes to their appearance through procedures such as facial rejuvenation surgery, eyelid surgery, and dermal injections in an attempt to help them stand out in a competitive job market.
Because of the growing number of young people and middle aged individuals seeking employment, Dr. Sullivan says many of his patients are hoping to boost their chances of success by enhancing their aesthetics with a plastic surgery procedure. Through surgical enhancements like eyelid surgery, he says patients can shed years off their face by reducing baggy, tired eyes and revealing a refreshed and vibrant appearance. Dr. Sullivan also adds that other procedures such as a facelift can decrease one’s facial lines and dramatically lessen the wrinkles that show age to create a more youthful complexion that displays confidence and vitality.
“My specialty is giving my patients both a very natural and enhanced appearance when they have our multilayer face lift and neck lift. People really appreciate this. Even though the improvement is often dramatic, their friends and associates do not know that they had surgery because they do not have a surgical or operated appearance. The same is true for our surgery to remove eyelid bags and circles. After our upper and lower eyelid surgeries (blepharoplasty), patients say they no longer have people telling them they ‘look tired,’ and instead ask if they have been on vacation. This is especially helpful in the work place and their social environment.”
While the struggling economy has placed increasing pressure on personal budgets, Dr. Sullivan’s practice has recently added several financing options to his payment plans as an opportunity for patients to take advantage of credit lending to alleviate the up-front expense until their finances are more secure. Through lending options such as CareCredit® Financing and ChaseHealthAdvance, he says patients now have the chance to undergo a cosmetic procedure that can increase their odds of success in the job hunt without breaking the bank.
Whether patients are looking for a simple, non-invasive enhancement or a surgical procedure, Dr. Sullivan says plastic surgery can offer patients an opportunity to unveil their inner beauty and gain an edge in competitive job searches. As with any medical treatment, he also says he recommends consulting with an experienced, qualified, and board-certified plastic surgeon before undergoing any procedure. “I urge patients to make sure the plastic surgeon is a specialist in the procedure they want to have done. Also, to look at pictures of the surgeon’s results, because patients will want to make sure he or she is a skilled artist as well.”
Facial Rejuvenation Before and After
About Patrick K. Sullivan, MD, FACS
Dr. Patrick Sullivan received his medical degree from the Mayo Medical School in Minnesota and completed surgical residencies at the University of Colorado and Brown University in Rhode Island. He was the 1986 USA recipient of the International College of Surgeons scholarship and received specialized training in face and body contouring as a Fellow in Paris and Zurich. Dr. Sullivan is dual American board-certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology, in addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He has been awarded selection in Woodward and White’s “Best Doctors in America,†the Castle Connolly “America’s Top Doctors,†and Redbook Magazine’s “Top Doctors for Women.â€
Located at 235 Plain Street, Suite 502 in Providence, RI, Dr. Sullivan’s practice can be reached at (877) 435-3223. He can also be contacted online via the website or Facebook.