The Top Five Plastic Surgery Procedures of 2011
With more than 1.5 million cosmetic surgery procedures performed in 2011 in the United States, plastic surgery is clearly trusted and embraced by many people. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the most popular procedures performed last year were:
∙ Breast augmentation (“augmentation mammaplasty”): 307,000
∙ Nose reshaping (“rhinoplasty”): 244,000
∙ Liposuction (“suction assisted lipectomy”): 205,000
∙ Eyelid surgery (“blepharoplasty”): 196,000
∙ Facelift (“rhytidectomy”): 119,000
The two procedures with the biggest rise in percentage are breast augmentation and facelift surgery. Rather than offering quick fixes, these procedures offer enduring results that cannot be achieved with non-invasive techniques.
Breast augmentation, the top cosmetic surgical procedure is up four percent since the previous year, in 2010, according to the ASPS. I think that one of the main reasons we are seeing an increase in the amount of breast augmentation is the renewed confidence in the safety of this procedure. The FDA has not only lifted its ban on silicone implants several years ago, but has also recently allowed additional silicone breast implant products to come into the market. As a result, women are once again feeling more comfortable taking advantage of their option to improve their breast shape and size.
Although facelift was the fifth most popular cosmetic procedure, it had the highest increase – five percent. I think this relates to our quest for wanting to look as good as we feel. Patients in the “classic” age group for facelift surgery (50’s to 70’s) take better overall care of themselves than their predecessors and want their looks to match. Although patients (and surgeons) love the results of Botox, Juvederm, Ulthera, etc. they do not achieve the same results as surgery. If one has hanging neck and facial skin with lost jawline definition, nothing delivers the long-lasting results of a facelift. I also think that patients have a great level of confidence when they know procedures are performed by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery which is a requirement for membership in the ASPS.
It is normal to have questions about which procedure is the correct one for you. Please feel free get in touch with my office at 212-737-9090 to schedule a consultation and get started.
