AISLING HOLLY, Director of The Hospital Group, provider of cosmetic and obesity surgery
In the midst of a catastrophic recession, the plastic surgery industry is going from strength to strength. Explain.It's a question we're constantly asked. Amazingly, the industry has continued to grow year on year. Women have started to maintain themselves from an earlier age. And it's no longer the preserve of celebrities, people from all walks of life are giving it a go. If you're looking at a woman in her late 50s, and she has a perky pair of boobs, chances are she's had surgery.
Do any men ever come in?Absolutely. When I started in the business, our clients would have been 95 per cent female. At the moment, we're looking at about a 70/30 split. Men increasingly come to us for gynecomastia surgery, liposuction, gastric bands . . .
What was the first one there?Gynecomastia. That would be the male equivalent of breast reduction. You know, for man boobs.
Every instinct I had told me not to ask.The thing is, no matter how much a person exercises, there's often a stubborn little piece of fat that just won't budge. But it's amazing what can be done. Nowadays men can get six-pack abs inserted by fat transfer. The fat is taken out and injected it back in. The technology is rapidly evolving.
Who in their right mind is walking around with fake six pack abs?We have male clients from across the board: builders, bankers, solicitors. In this economy, it's all about trying to get back into the workplace. When you've got an important interview, you're going to find yourself up against younger and younger candidates. Looking your best can often make the difference.
So when I'm blabbing on about where I see myself in five years' time, another candidate might be unbuttoning his shirt and flashing fake abs?I'm not talking about six pack abs specifically. Men are also getting into Botox. They're becoming as focused on their appearance as women. People perceive cosmetic surgery as a luxury product. But women don't compromise on how we look. That's why there's been no decline in our business during the recession.
Have you had work done yourself?I'm a mother, I have children. I've had liposuction. I've had Botox. Some of my friends are appalled at what I do here on a day-to-day basis. But I've seen people walk in here with no confidence whatsoever. Six weeks later, after they've had breast augmentation, it's like looking at a totally a different person. And I don't just mean physically. What we're selling here is confidence.
Studies suggest women with breast implants are three times more likely to suffer from alcoholism, depression and suicide.Well, surgery isn't for everybody. It's a matter of personal choice.
I'm not saying cosmetic surgery is to blame. But if someone is suffering from low self-esteem, maybe cosmetic surgery is not the panacea they think is?When someone comes in to us, there are very stringent criteria we go through. Is this person medically suitable? Are they psychologically suitable? The surgeon has to tick the boxes across the board. There's a cooling-off period during which we recommend people discuss their options with a parent or a partner. We have turned patients away in certain cases.
If your own daughter wanted breast implants, would you be okay with that?If she was over 18, if we had discussed it, and I understood her motivations for wanting the procedure then, absolutely, I'd be okay with it. To give you an example, Ally Garvey is a model who's had breast augmentation. She was about 21 when she came in to us.
She was 19, according to the documentary.Okay, but she had wanted the procedure since she was around 14.
Where worthwhile is a 19-year-old girl going to get in life with large breasts, that she couldn't get with normal breasts?In Ally's case, she didn't have boobs. She was barely an A-cup. She went on to do swimsuit modelling, lingerie modelling, so it was a life-changing experience for her. The message she gave to her fans by going public with it was, look, models aren't perfect. If you're not perfect, there are options out there for you.
Finally, when you meet people socially, do you ever subconsciously start working out which bits of them you'd like to cut off?Ah, no.
