Over-the-hill male office workers are going under the knife to gain office supremacy, or at least to benefit from pretty pay premiums. While plastic surgery may be more often associated with women, stats show that an increasing number of male workers are going plastic. Office man-osaurs who perceive themselves as prehistoric are jumping over the beauty barrier on their way to higher wages and status at work.
Baby boomers are seeking surgeons, but the age group fueling industry growth may surprise you. People age 35-50 got 5.3 million procedures in 2004, representing around half of the total cut count. 30 somethings see surgery as a way to level the playing field at the office, preventing the onslaught of wrinkles and fat from affecting their work status.
American men sought out around 1 million procedures in 2006, representing around 10% of the US market. Being older than dirt may not be the major reason for cos-man-ic surgery, as forward thinking executives are hopping on the trend wagon regarding a number of esthetic and image issues. Not only is plastic surgery more acceptable than ever (one in five executives now supports body altering), but beard stubble is “in” and smoking is “out”.
Vanity isn’t the only buzz word that’s raising the working dead. Pay premiums are also motivating the incision decision. Above average employees, esthetically speaking, make more cash than their stunningly sub-par colleagues.
Shrek-inspired workers take a pay penalty, allowing the hot to get hotter while the ugly get uglier. The high cost of surgery prevents workers with a case of the ugs from scoring pretty points. In 2004, lifting up your face cost over $6000, while sucking fat out of your head and neck cost over $2000. Big headed man-workers opt for liposuction more often than any other surgical procedure, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
While surgery will help your office to lose a few love handles, you won’t love what surgery does to your pay check, or your vacation time. Taking 1-2 weeks to heal, that egocentric executive or chubby cubicle buddy will need some rest and relaxation after plastifying.
Be sensitive about spreading the word if your colleague’s gone under the knife. Gossip won’t help the healing process, but your plastic surgeon will rejoice when your big mouth promotes his/her impecible lip injection work.
Illustrator:
Kris Schantz
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