Every year, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) polls its members regarding the number of procedures performed. The Society is made up of board certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery. The 2010 surgery statistics were published recently, and many mainstream media sources have reported on the trends. Here is my take.
There was a 9% increase in cosmetic procedures performed in 2010 versus 2009. BOTOX® topped the non-invasive treatment side, and breast augmentation was once again at the top of the surgical procedures list. There has been an 88% increase in the number of cosmetic procedures men have had since 1997. Interestingly, there was a 15% increase in male facelifts last year alone.
Breast augmentation has been the number one cosmetic surgical procedure for the last three years, moving liposuction to the number two spot. Over 300,000 breast augmentations were performed last year. Of these, 38% involved the use of saline implants and 62% used silicone. I strongly favor silicone implants due to their softness and more natural shape. I use them in 99% of the breast augmentations I perform.
Liposuction is always near the top of the list. The Aesthetic Surgery Journal recently published a study that “traditional” liposuction is still the preferred method of liposuction of their polled members. It is definitely my favored method. I have not been impressed by the results in published reports of laser liposuction, and I do not feel there is credible evidence supporting the claim that it tightens skin.
The statistical report also allows member plastic surgeons to compare the volume of their practice with their colleagues. I was very happy to see my practice operated on more than twice as many patients than the average. Specifically, I performed more than three times more facelifts and over four times more filler injections than the reported average. I feel this is important because as we all know, the more you do something, the more skilled you become.
I am pleased to report that more and more people are pursuing cosmetic plastic surgery. Over 66% of Americans polled stated they would not be embarrassed if their friends or family knew they had plastic surgery.
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