Cosmetic surgery on a budget

Sometimes frugality takes a backseat to vanity. Despite unemployment hovering close to 10%, people are still willing to open their wallets for cosmetic surgery.

"Especially during troubled economic times, patients become even more concerned about their physical appearance, as a way to remain marketable and viable in a tough job market," says Dr. Andrew Jacono, a dual board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Great Neck, N.Y.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic procedures increased by 3% in 2008 compared to 2007. Still, people are more selective about what they're having done, opting more for minimally invasive procedures (up 5%) over surgical ones (down 9%).