Cosmetic surgery is a fast-growing medical practice.
In 1997 surgeons in the United States performed the four
most common cosmetic procedures—liposuction, breast
augmentation, eyelid surgery, and facelift—443,728
times, an increase of 150% over the comparable total for
1992. Estimated total expenditures for cosmetic surgery
range from $1 to $2 billion. As managed care cuts into
physicians' income and autonomy, cosmetic surgery,
which is not covered by health insurance, offers a
financially attractive medical specialty.