U.K.: More People Over 60 Now Go For Plastic Surgery

LONDON (The Mirror), July 6, 2006: As more pensioners go under the knife here's our guide to what's on offer Looking good is no longer just for the young and the rich - there's a boom in so-called "silver" surgery. Last year, 40 per cent more people aged 60 and over had cosmetic surgery than in 2004. And men are just as interested as women. Two thirds of them go for a facelift or eyelid surgery. "The nation as a whole is getting older but feeling younger and wanting to retain a youthful appearance," says Andy Cooper, head of cosmetic surgery at The Hospital Group. Here's what you need to know about the most popular ops among over-60s. EYELID SURGERY WHAT IS IT? The operation involves making tiny incisions inside the upper and/or lower eyelid so that fat can be removed. Then the skin is smoothed with a laser. It's ideal for someone with bags under their eyes or drooping upper eyelids. Can be done in a day. WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU? Could take up to 10 years off your looks. "Eyelid surgery is a fantastic operation that can give you a freshened, more youthful appearance," says Paul Banwell, consultant surgeon at the McIndoe Surgical Centre. COST: From £2,500. FACELIFT WHAT IS IT? Smooths wrinkles and tightens jowls and saggy skin. The operation, which requires a day or two in hospital, involves making incisions in front of and behind the ears, and often behind the hairline and around the temple area too. WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU? Make you look 10 years younger. "A facelift lasts for ever because you'll always look younger than your years afterwards," says cosmetic surgeon Jan Stanek, of London clinic Surgical Aesthetics. COST: From £4,000. BREAST REDUCTION WHAT IS IT? Uncomfortably large breasts can be made smaller. Surgery involves removing excess fat and skin and repositioning the nipples. Usually requires a two-night hospital stay. WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU? The extra weight of large breasts could cause neck and back problems, so a reduction could make you feel better as well as give a more youthful figure. COST: From £4,500. TUMMY TUCK WHAT IS IT? The operation reshapes the front of the body, from the waistline to the lower abdomen. You will have to stay in hospital for a day or two. WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU? Can flatten a tummy with lots of excess skin that refuses to firm up with exercise. It's a major operation, however, and Paul Banwell says: "The older you are, the more likely you are to have a medical problem such as a heart problem - so it's really important to be assessed properly beforehand." COST: From £4,250. NON-SURGICAL THESE procedures are for people who don't want invasive surgery. WHAT ARE THEY? Botox - a bacterium injected into the face to reduce wrinkles - fillers such as Restylane and Sculptra and laser treatments to smooth wrinkles. WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR YOU? You could look five years younger if you have them regularly (usually twice a year). COST: From £150 per treatment. To find a reputable cosmetic surgeon, contact the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons on 020 7405 2234 (www.baaps.org.uk). Great.. I've found a new lady HARRY Eyre, 67, a retired landscape gardener from Washington, Tyne & Wear, had surgery to remove bags from his eyelids. He says: WHEN I was 16 the girls used to say I had the sexiest eyes in the neighbourhood. But as I got older I had these overhanging eyelids that made my eyes look narrow. I'd been thinking about doing something about it for 10 years. I thought, well, if David Beckham can have his hair done, why shouldn't I have a new image too? And it worked - I have a new lady friend and it's going like a bomb. I feel incredible. I reckon I look eight years younger. I wouldn't think twice about having something done in the future. Harry had his operation at the Aesthetic Beauty Centre in Newcastle (0191 273 9339, www.aestheticbeautycentre.co.uk). My grandkids are impressed PAM Sivak, 64, from West Hampstead, London, didn't fancy going under the knife, so she had a non-surgical treatment. She says: WHEN my face started to drop a few years ago I really noticed it. In the mirror all I could see was this sagging skin. I desperately wanted to do something about it, but I was very wary of surgery. So when I read an article about a treatment called Sculptra I thought it would be ideal. The treatment involves injecting parts of your face that need filling out. I was worried it would be painful, but it just felt a bit like having your eyebrows plucked. After three treatments I'm extremely happy. Everyone says how well I look - even my grandchildren think I look fantastic. To find your nearest Sculptra clinic, call 0800 085 2046. Treatments cost from £400 By Christine Morgan Mirror.co.uk