Boob-job biz sagging

Economic meltdown is causing many to delay cosmetic surgery, survey says

BY Bill Hutchinson
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Tuesday, March 17th 2009, 9:02 AM


Breast augmentations fell from nearly 400,000 in 2007 to 355,671 last year.

Manhattan cosmetic surgeon Lawrence Milgrim doesn't need to read the latest analysis of his industry to know he's getting nipped and tucked by the economy.

"We've had a dropoff just because of the economic environment," said Milgrim. "Some of the larger procedures have dropped off more than some of the smaller procedures."

"I think today the gestalt is, 'Don't change me, just make me look better than I am now.'"

A study released Monday shows Milgrim isn't the only plastic surgeon hurting.

Cosmetic surgical procedures have plummeted 15% in the past year, and nonsurgical procedures are down 12%, according to the survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.