Influence of television on demand for cosmetic surgery

To the Editor: Petrie and colleagues alert us to some negative effects of “appearance medicine” television programs.1 I agree that participants in television programs on cosmetic surgery should not be induced to have surgery by the offer of a significant reduction or waiving of the fee for the operation on the condition that they expose themselves before, during and after the procedures. Removing the cost component is a significant enticement to undergo cosmetic surgery. However, many procedures need to be repeated and implanted products replaced. If potential patients cannot afford future expenditure, they may be unsuitable for cosmetic surgery.