By: Jeffrey Wisnicki, M.D., F.A.C.S. Cosmetic surgery has been on the rise. According to a report released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) earlier this year, there was an increase of 12% in the number of procedures performed in 2013. Over 11 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures totaling more than 12 billion dollars were carried out by board-certified plastic surgeons, dermatologists and otolaryngologists in this country. As one might expect, in the aftermath of the financial turmoil of 2008 there was a decline in the numbers, particularly for surgical procedures. Yet the numbers for last year are approximately four times what they were 15 years before. There is no question that cosmetic surgery has gained wide acceptance over the years with annual variations of statistics being more a function of the state of the economy than societal approval. Recent numbers seem to be consistent with the economic rebound of the past few years.