‘Lifestyle’ OAPs push up cosmetic surgery rates

A RECORD number of Scots pensioners are signing up for cosmetic surgery, with latest figures showing a surge of more than 20 per cent in procedures in the over-65s in the past year.

Stars such as Joanna Lumley spur pensioners into plastic surgery. Picture: Getty

One of the oldest patients to have undergone surgery in Scotland was an 80-year-old widow who had a facial rejuvenation after noticing men at her ballroom dancing class were overlooking her in favour of women in their sixties.

Procedures being requested include facelifts costing around £6,000, tummy tucks at £5,500 as well as the more mainstream Botox and fillers.

Experts say demand is being driven by people living longer, higher divorce rates among older people, and high-profile celebrities such as Helen Mirren and Joanna Lumley whose looks defy their years.

While the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons said cosmetic operations had decreased by 9 per cent between 2013 and 2014 in the UK, Scots appear to be bucking the trend.

Dr Taimur Shoaib, a former consultant plastic surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, who treats around 500 patients a month privately at his La Belle Forme clinic, said: “Although people are getting older, they’re actually feeling younger. Many have lots of social activities that would be in keeping with those many years younger. They’re in their prime, but when they look in the mirror they don’t see on the outside what they feel on the inside.

“In terms of the over-65 population group, our figures have gone up by 20 per cent in the last year and the ages at the top end are getting older.”

Mr Shoaib, who has performed facelifts on a number of women in their 80s, added: “There was one 80-year-old woman who really enjoyed ballroom dancing. Her husband had passed away, but men weren’t asking her to dance – they were asking women in their sixties instead. She said to me ‘I want them to ask me, that’s why I’m there’.”

Dr Mary Brown, freelance psychologist, broadcaster and former lecturer in psychology at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: “It is all very well for those who are ageing beautifully to take a ‘holier than thou’ attitude. But apart from the medical risk there is no reason why older people should not spend their money as they wish to boost their self-esteem.”