Plastic Surgery in Venezuela: A Growing Industry
Plastic surgery has become an increasingly popular industry in Venezuela in recent years. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), Venezuela is ranked as the 5th country in the world for the number of cosmetic procedures performed, with a total of 85,000 procedures in 2019.
Popular Procedures
The most popular plastic surgery procedures in Venezuela are breast augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty. Breast augmentation accounts for over 50% of all plastic surgery procedures performed in the country, with liposuction and rhinoplasty following closely behind.
In addition to these procedures, there has been a rise in demand for Brazilian butt lifts, a procedure in which fat is transferred from other areas of the body to the buttocks to enhance their size and shape. This procedure has become particularly popular in Venezuela due to the country’s emphasis on the hourglass figure aesthetic.
Patient Demographics
The majority of plastic surgery patients in Venezuela are women, with the ISAPS reporting that 86% of all procedures performed in the country in 2019 were on female patients. The age range of patients varies widely, with some patients in their teens seeking procedures such as rhinoplasty, while others in their 50s and 60s opting for facelifts and other anti-aging procedures.
In terms of socioeconomic status, plastic surgery in Venezuela is often viewed as a status symbol and is associated with the country’s wealthy elite. However, there has been a rise in demand for these procedures among the middle class as well, due in part to the availability of financing options and more affordable prices compared to other countries.
Risks and Concerns
While plastic surgery can provide numerous benefits to patients, there are also risks involved. In Venezuela, there have been reports of unlicensed and untrained individuals performing plastic surgery procedures, leading to serious complications and even death in some cases.
There are also concerns about the emphasis on physical appearance in Venezuela and the pressure on individuals, particularly women, to conform to a certain beauty standard. This has led to criticism of the plastic surgery industry and its impact on Venezuelan society.
Conclusion
Plastic surgery in Venezuela has become a rapidly growing industry, with breast augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty being the most popular procedures. The majority of patients are women, and plastic surgery is often associated with the country’s wealthy elite. However, there are also concerns about the risks involved and the societal pressures to conform to certain beauty standards.