Plastic surgery on the rise in down economy - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

The economy is issue number one for so many right now especially here in northeast Ohio. But as 19 Action News found out while many are pinching pennies they're still splurging on plastic surgery.

44-year old Jennifer Zwolinski isn't among the super rich, but she is part of a growing number of Ohioans who've had cosmetic surgery.

"It's so good to have my waist back," said Jennifer Zwolinski.

Three weeks ago, Jennifer had a breast lift and a tummy tuck.

"My husband's thrilled," said Jennifer Zwolinski.

She went to Dr. Michael Wojtanowski. He's Westlake plastic surgeon, who when it comes to the economy, is the proverbial canary in a coal mine.

"Business at my practice is as good as it's ever been," said Dr. Michael Wojtanowski.

As our economy improves, Dr. Wojtanowski is seeing a new breed of patient.

"There was a time that the only people who wanted cosmetic surgery were in the 60's or later.  We're seeing patients in their 20's believe it or not," said Dr. Wojtanowski.

Jennifer, who has three children, all by C-Section, decided it was time to have cosmetic surgery when exercise and diet weren't giving her the results she wanted.

"I exercised for nine months to a year. I dropped a pants size but there was just a part that wasn't going away. I had to do something about it, I had to get that waist back," Jennifer Zwolinski said.

Nationwide, doctors performed 13.8 million cosmetic procedures last year.  That's up 5% and although it's increasingly common it's still not cheap.

A typical face lift costs between $4,000-$10,000 -- a breast lift, between $3,000-$6,000.
   
"I feel fantastic. I wish I would have done this years ago," Jennifer Zwolinski said.