But now scientists say they have developed the first drug that targets the fat deposits which are so visible.

Researchers at German firm Bayer have created a new treatment called ATX-101. ATX-101 is injected into small areas of fat using between 40 and 70 mini injections which help dissolve small volumes of fat cells. The procedure is aimed at reducing the fat under the chin and early tests are promising.

Previously, one of the only ways to get rid of the fat under the chin would be through an invasive procedure such as liposuction. However the ATX-101 treatment is minimally invasive – no anaesthetic is needed and the feeling is akin to getting a tattoo. Patients are expected to see a noticeable result after about 16 weeks.

720 people in 64 centres across Europe are currently enrolled in a trial program. If all goes to plan Bayer are planning on launching the ATX-101 treatment in 2014.

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However according to some cosmetic surgeons, older patients are increasingly opting for body contouring operations over facial cosmetic surgery such as facelifts or Botox. Over half of women over 50 are thought to go under the knife for some form of body cosmetic surgery such as liposuction, breast augmentation or tummy tucks.

Men, however, are less interested in their bodies and more interested in their faces with men of similar age more frequently opting for facial cosmetic surgery – in many cases visiting the surgeon’s office after their wives have had plastic surgery. The most popular forms of male cosmetic surgery are nose reshaping and eyelid surgery.

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Cosmetic surgeons have long encouraged patients to forego herbal supplements and remedies for a couple of days before their surgery. However new research published by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has shown that patients should not use herbal remedies and supplements for up two a fortnight before surgery, otherwise there is a higher risk of adverse reactions to the anaesthesia used during surgery.

This advice is not new – there are plenty of studies which have shown that herbal medications may have an adverse effect on patients undergoing surgery. Some herbs have a pharmacodynamic or pharamacokinetic effect meaning that they may make the central nervous system unstable or cause excessive bleeding both during and after the surgery.

In particular, Echinacea, ephedra, ginkgo, garlic, ginseng, kava, St. John’s Wort and valerian have all be singled out as herbs to avoid before surgery.

If you have any doubts about the medication you are taking – either prescribed or non-prescribed – it is important to check with your plastic surgeon well in advance of surgery to ensure that you have the best possible experience during surgery and during the recovery period, and to reduce the risk of adverse side effects and complications.

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The Indian wedding market is also predicted to be one of the key factors in driving cosmetic surgery – arranged marriages often have a strong emphasis on physical beauty, and having ‘perfect’ features may influence partners’ choices. For women, surgeries such as breast enhancement surgery and liposuction, along with non-invasive procedures such as Botox and laser hair removal are likely to be the most popular forms of surgery; for men, male breast reductions and rhinoplasty (nose jobs) are predicted to be among the most popular.

Like most countries, men are starting to make up a proportion of plastic surgeries, and this trend will likely continue throughout 2009.

Unfortunately, the growth in the Indian cosmetic surgery market is not all good – with the increase in demand for plastic surgery, there is a firm need for plastic surgeons. It is regrettable that the increased demand is fuelling an increase in untrained practitioners performing surgery on unwitting patients.

The top advice for anyone considering cosmetic surgery abroad – whether in India or any other country – is not to choose their surgeon and clinic on price alone, and make sure they have done plenty of research to ensure they get a fully qualified and accredited plastic surgeon.

If you are considering becoming a medical tourist, read our free guide to cosmetic surgery abroad: minimising the risks.

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Many cosmetic surgeons have witnessed a fall in the number of people looking for cosmetic surgery over the past few months, year on year, with breast enlargement surgery looking like the biggest loser.

Talking to the New York Daily News, one Manhattan plastic surgeon commented, “The number of surgeries has gone down, for sure.”

With an upturn looking unlikely until the fall of 2009 at the earliest, surgeries have been contacting old clients, removing paid advertising, adding special offers, expanding their range of offerings, as well as laying off non-essential staff, in the hope of seeing through the financial crisis. However, one unnamed surgeon warned of the dangers of such a trading environment:

“With the Cosmetic Surgery industry starting to show signs of decline associated with the global crisis, I fear we could see overall care fall as surgeries struggle to attract customers, and compete with others.”

Unfortunately, the procedures which have brightened the outlook for so many people who have undergone surgery, have no effect on a depressed global economy – no amount of breast implants, brow lifts and hair transplants will see us out of this recession!

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According to Weird Asia News, Hang Mioku had her first taste of plastic surgery when she was 28 years old. Since then, she has become obsessed with cosmetic surgeries which have consequently ruined her face.

Having undergone plastic surgery on her face for the first time, Mioku went to Japan to go under the knife for further facial cosmetic surgery work. Thanks to the excessive surgeries, her face became enlarged and deformed and cosmetic surgeons eventually refused to treat her any further, suggesting instead that she seek some form of help for her plastic surgery addiction.

Having been refused surgery by Japanese plastic surgeons, Mioku flew back to her home country of Korea where her face was so deformed that her own family were unable to recognise her. Many surgeons would not perform any further surgery on her, however one local doctor agreed to provide her with silicone which she could inject into her face herself.

Whenever the silcone ran out, Mioku’s addiciton was so strong that she still felt the need to subject her face to more injections. Having no silicone to hand, Mioku would inject cooking oil into her face instead.

Mioku has recently appeared on Korean TV showcasing her cosmetic surgery addiction and the deformities and enlargement they have caused to her face. Kindly Koreans watching the show donated money to her to help her fund further surgery to reduce the size of her face.

Mioku now says that she just wishes that she could have her original face back.

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