Consumer Survey from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Shows Americans Want to Look Better, Not Different

New York, NY (December 9, 2003) — Despite the popularity of "makeover" reality shows, most Americans who might consider cosmetic plastic surgery would not want to drastically change their appearance, according to a national survey of 1000 American households sponsored by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Among women and men who said they would consider having cosmetic surgery, 68 percent would prefer a subtle change in their appearance, while less than one-quarter (23 percent) would consider an extreme change desirable. This finding, says ASAPS, is consistent with the experience of board-certified plastic surgeons, whose patients often stress that they want natural-looking results that will make them look better but not extremely different.

Many Americans Interested in Changing Appearance
The ASAPS survey found that many people would like to change something about their appearance, and more women than men are dissatisfied with at least one facial or body feature. Among all Americans, 39 percent of women and 22 percent of men wish that they could change something about their appearance. Only 15 percent of women and 10 percent of men said they would make an extreme change. Twenty-five percent of women and 14 percent of men surveyed said they would consider cosmetic plastic surgery. Among this subgroup, the overwhelming majority said they would not want an extreme change in their appearance; only 27 percent of women and 16 percent of men said they would favor an extreme change.

Most People Want Surgery To Help Them Look Better, Not Different
Among Americans who would consider cosmetic surgery, 88 percent of women and 69 percent of men said that, following their surgery, they would want family members to say they look better but "like the same person." Only 9 percent of women and 14 percent of men said they would want to be told they no longer look like their former self.

Interest in Improving Multiple Features
Among Americans who said they would consider cosmetic surgery, 35 percent would change one feature; 26 percent would change two features; 12 percent would change three features; and 9 percent would change more than three features.