Manhattan practicing plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg, reports seeing an increase in cosmetic surgery and procedures due to people using their tax refunds to pay for surgical procedures. "Surprisingly, our overall business is up about 30 percent this time of the year," confides Dr. Greenberg. "The reason is two-fold really. Most patients want to have their surgery done during the winter and spring months, so that they are healed and prepared for the summer. The other factor contributing to the flood of new patients is that it’s currently tax season. We are seeing numerous patients putting their tax return towards cosmetic procedures and esthetic improvements. Business stemming from tax refunds is up roughly 30 percent – more than any year prior.”
"Plenty of patients are still coming in for a number of surgical procedures. Breast augmentations and liposuction remain two of the most requested operations. But we're also seeing an influx of new patients who are opting for non-surgical procedures, such as coolsculpting and skin tightening to obtain a better, slimmer or younger look," says Dr. Greenberg.
This all may have to do with the current economy. According to billionaire investor Warren Buffett, “investing in yourself is the best thing you can do.” That may mean different things to different people, but with more and more middle-aged Americans out of work and competing for available positions with much younger candidates, it seems undeniable that some people are more willing than ever to try anything that might give them a slight advantage over the competition.
