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Age is just a number… but is it really?
Here at Centre for Surgery, we’ve worked with loads of people who want to have cosmetic surgery, and trust us when we say we’ve heard a lot of questions and worries from them. Every so often, when we ask for birthdays to pop in their records, someone says something like, “I reckon I’m a bit older than most ladies you see for this. I’ve been thinking about having this done for ages!”
It’s really sad to hear this because it sounds like these folks feel like they have to explain why they want to have an operation that could really make their lives better.
You see, people are living longer these days (those born in the baby boom years are getting on a bit now!), and we’ve actually seen at least a 5% increase in people over 65 having cosmetic surgery between 2014 and 2020. So, let us just say, if you’re thinking about having cosmetic surgery and you’re in your 60s, you’re definitely not the only one!
RELATED: Is there an age limit for cosmetic surgery?
Think about it, loads of cosmetic surgery treatments are usually sold as ways to fight the signs of ageing, so it makes sense that they’re aimed at an older crowd. But then, why do older people still feel a bit unsure about going for these procedures? Let’s dig into this.
Why Are Older People Often Worried?
We reckon the big worry that makes people think there’s an “age cap” for cosmetic surgery is the risk to health. It’s pretty well-known that as we get on in years, we’re more likely to run into health problems.
Even if you don’t have any health issues to start with, getting older comes with changes in our bodies that might make having surgery a bit riskier. Stuff like losing muscle, the way fat moves around, and skin getting thinner can make people really nervous about having an operation.
Here’s the deal, though – and I know this answer isn’t everyone’s favourite – how things turn out depends on loads of different things. Everyone’s different, which is why it’s mega important to pick a plastic surgeon who knows their stuff, has loads of experience, and really takes the time to chat with you to make sure you’ll be safe and sound. For older folks, this just means that the surgeon needs to really tailor the treatment plan and how they do the operation to fit what you need!
You can breathe easy knowing that a proper surgeon would never go ahead with an operation if it’s too risky for the patient. They all promise to follow the Hippocratic oath, so they’re not going to do anything that could do more harm than good. But if you’re still not quite sure, let’s have a gander at what the science says.
What Risks Come with Having Surgery When You’re Older?
When it comes to risks tied to age in plastic surgery, there’s some science to chew on. There’s this thing called a meta-analysis (which is a fancy term for a study that squints real hard at a bunch of other studies), and it found that there wasn’t much of a difference in complications after surgery between younger folks (average age of 38) and older ones (average age of 68).
RELATED: What is the Best Age for a Facelift?
Another report recently published in a leading UK medical journal examined how ageing affects wound healing, and guess what? They didn’t find any link. Instead, things like having health issues, using steroids or smoking, and being a bit on the heavy side (high BMI) were more important.
So, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of whether it’s safe to have surgery, it’s not so much about how many candles are on your birthday cake, but more about how healthy you are.
But, hold on, it’s not just about health. We’ve noticed that people are also a bit jittery about what others might think if they get certain nips and tucks. One of our patient care coordinators gave us the low-down on the kinds of worries people chat about when they come in for a consultation.
Doing What You Want with Your Body
First off, the surgeries that make older folks the most nervous are usually the ones that add something extra, like getting bigger boobs with breast implants or a bigger bum with a BBL (which stands for Brazilian Butt Lift, by the way). This actually lines up with a recent study here in the UK that took a good look at what makes women tick when it comes to cosmetic surgery.
RELATED: Cosmetic Surgery Procedure FAQs
The person behind the study found out that younger women worry more about how their bodies look, while older women worry more about their faces. So maybe some older folks feel like going for surgeries that change their bodies, instead of just their faces, is more of a young person’s game.
But we say, hang on a minute – young women don’t have a monopoly on bodies! Television and magazines are always showing off young people’s bodies, and sometimes older stars get a bit of a rough time, which can make it feel like people don’t really care about older bodies.
That’s simply not true though. No matter how old you are, it’s your body, and you’ve got every right to change it up however you fancy. As long as you’re living and breathing in your own skin, you deserve to feel like a million quid.
There’s another worry that’s kind of similar: older folks feel like they should only go for surgeries that fix something, rather than just for looking good. It seems like people are okay with surgeries that put things back where they used to be – like a tummy tuck after having a baby, a facelift, or a breast lift after breastfeeding – but if it’s just for the heck of it, that’s being too vain.
RELATED: The Ins and Outs of “Upgrading” Your Breast Implants
Here’s what we think about that: We’re all living in a world that loves pretty pictures. Nobody’s left out of that. People like looking at nice things. Now, we’re not saying there’s only one way to look gorgeous, but if someone wants to go under the knife to look the way they want to look, they should just go for it.
We reckon it’s bonkers to make anyone feel bad for wanting to be chuffed with how they look!
Juggling Life and Surgery When You’re Older
The last worry that comes from how people might see things is whether having a cosmetic procedure will play nice with what you do day-to-day. Some people get antsy thinking that surgery might mess with their lives, especially if they’ve got kids or grandkids to look after. Like, when we talk about breast augmentation, we hear people saying they’re worried that going up a few sizes will get in the way of everyday stuff.
Here’s what we say back: Slow down and have a good, hard think about the surgery you’ve got your eye on and how it might shake things up in your life. A decent surgeon won’t leave you in the dark – they’ll fill you in on what you can expect while you’re getting back on your feet and how to keep things shipshape afterward. And, just so you know, here at Centre for Surgery, we’re all about keeping things natural. We’re not here to turn your life upside down.
But, at the end of the day, everyone’s daily routine is their own special thing, and it’s down to you to hit the books and figure out if the surgery you’re thinking about is a good match for you.
So, What’s the Deal with Age and Cosmetic Surgery?
Guess what? Being a bit older can actually be a big plus if you’re thinking about cosmetic surgery. For starters, folks who’ve been around the block often have a bit more cash in their back pocket and can afford the nips and tucks without breaking the bank. Plus, their bodies have usually settled down – no more big shake-ups like having babies or breastfeeding – so what you see is more or less what you get. And let’s not forget that older people have usually spent ages weighing up the pros and cons, so by the time they go for it, they’re pretty darn sure.
The thing is, we humans are pros at overthinking stuff, especially when it’s a big life decision. But here’s the thing – there’s no sell-by date on wanting to feel good in your own skin. We hope that what we’ve shared here will help sweep away some of the fog so you can work out if taking the leap is the right move for you. Because, honestly? It’s never too late to dive in if that’s what floats your boat.
Give Us a Buzz at Centre for Surgery!
If all this info has got you thinking, and you’re keen on exploring your options, don’t be shy – get in touch with us at Centre for Surgery. You can give us a ring on 0207 993 4849, or if you’d rather not chat over the phone, no worries – just fill out the contact form below. We’ll get you all set up with a consultation at our clinic on Baker Street. Can’t wait to hear from you!
