The holiday season is a time of giving and receiving.

By now, most people have finished shopping for loved ones and have started wrapping gifts in shiny papers, fancy boxes and beautiful bows; but this year, it seems the most in-demand requests won’t be going under the Christmas tree.

Plastic surgery procedures like breast implants, mommy makeovers, liposuction and dermal fillers are all the rage this year, as more women are hoping to have a little Christmastime nip and tuck.

ABC News did a report on this new trend yesterday, which followed California sisters Tina Franklin, 41, and Nicole Tuzzolino, 33.

While the sisters usually ask each other for clothes and accessories, this year Tuzzolino was a bit surprised by her older sister’s requests.

What was at the top of Franklin’s wish list? Botox.

“To be honest, I think she’s a little crazy,” Tuzzolino told Good Morning America. “I don’t think she needs it, but I know that she’s been wanting it, and it makes her happy.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Botox was the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure of 2010, with a total of 5.4 million procedures performed.

Botox is a great way to temporarily erase fine lines and wrinkles in the face and hands, and for many women like Franklin, it’s the perfect pick-me-up after a break-up and a good way to start fresh for the New Year.

She told ABC News, “I’m getting Botox done around on the crow’s feet around my eyes. That’s what I notice the most, between the brows, and then on the forehead.”

Dr. Tenley Lawton, a Newport Beach plastic surgeon, performed Franklin’s Botox injections. She said this year, she’s busier than ever with patients giving and receiving plastic surgery gifts for the holidays.

While some procedures, like Botox and skin care treatments, are somewhat reasonably priced for gift giving, other more complex procedure cost quite the bundle, which means these patients must have been extra good this year.

Dr. Lawton explained to ABC News, “For a simple injectable, it could be as low as a few hundred dollars. If were talking about a full mommy makeover, which could include a tummy tuck and a breast lift or a breast augmentation, it could be anywhere between $7,000 and $15,000.”

49-year-old jewelry designer Cynthia Hovely is also asking for plastic surgery this Christmas. Her boyfriend Gavin Greely generously bought her a round of age-defying Botox and Juvederm injections, at a price tag of $850.

He told ABC News, “She really, really wanted it and I figured, ‘Why not?’ I mean, I love her for the way she looks, so, if it’s going to make her feel better…and, you have to remember, I didn’t bring it up. She brought it up.”

Hovely said, “I could have asked for shoes or clothes, but I just really wanted to get some injectable youth.” She later added, “I figured I could get the most out of Christmas.”

For some people, Christmas might be the perfect time to cash in on the plastic surgery procedure they’ve always wanted.

The holiday season may be hectic for some, but when recovering from plastic surgery, this time of the year might actually be ideal; people generally have days off from work, and there are plenty of family and friends to look after recovering patients.

When compared to 2010, Hovely said this year’s holiday gifts from Greely are a major upgrade.

She confessed to ABC News, “Last year he gave me a bottle of perfume. This is a hundred times better. I think it’s romantic.”

Gifting plastic surgery certainly seems like a win-win situation for this couple, but as with any medical procedure, it’s important to be aware of the risks and side effects, which could potentially transform a joyful time into a full-blown Christmas nightmare.

Before undergoing any surgical or non-invasive plastic surgery procedure, it’s important to research your options and have an honest conversation with your plastic surgeon about every detail.

For patients like Franklin and Hovely, Christmas definitely came early this year, and now they can enjoy the holiday season with friends, family and a new sense of self-confidence.

What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?

To learn more about plastic surgery procedures, contact a plastic surgeon in your area.


Image Courtesy of: ©2009 David C. Pearson, M.D.