According to CNN the downturn in the housing market is responsible for as much as a 50% drop in cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States.

Previous to the mortgage collapse many people were dipping into the equity in their homes to finance the costly operations. The popularity of make-over shows helped introduce the average person to the panacea of look and feel better treatments being offered by the medical industry. They started visiting their bankers before running off to their local surgeons.