Over the years, plastic surgery procedures — including cosmetic procedures — have steadily increased. As more people look to alter their appearance, it seems this trend isn’t likely to plateau anytime soon. Some surgeries occur more often than others, but what are the most common procedures, and what are some reasons that people get them?
The Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures in the US
1. Breast Augmentation
With more than 300,000 procedures performed each year, breast augmentation surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure. Augmentation includes breast enlargement, replacing an absent breast, or making the breasts symmetrical in size. The reasons for getting this surgery may include:
- Breasts didn’t develop during puberty
- Breasts are too small
- Breasts lost during cancer treatments
- Major weight loss
- Repair breast volume
- Gender affirmation
Breast augmentation surgery offers a few different options for implants. These include silicone or saline implants or using fat from a different part of the body. There are pros and cons to each option, and you should talk with your surgeon about the best solution for your body and any risks involved. Expect a one to two week recovery time with some high-impact activities requiring a longer recovery.
2. Liposuction
Around 250,000 liposuction surgeries take place each year. This procedure involves breaking up and vacuuming out unwanted fat. While most liposuction surgeries are done purely for cosmetic reasons, some other reasons include:
- Reducing discomfort, swelling, or pain for people with edema
- Eliminating fat that can sometimes accumulate under a man’s breasts
- Redistributing fat to give a more natural body figure
- Extreme weight loss
- Removal of benign, fatty tumors
Different types of liposuction treatments are available and vary based on your needs. You should always talk to your doctor before making any final decisions so that you can fully understand the risks and recovery involved. The average patient can return to work within one or two weeks, depending on the area treated.
3. Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
More than 200,000 nose reshaping procedures occur each year. Rhinoplasty surgery is mostly a cosmetic surgery, but some instances where breathing is impaired require people to receive treatment. This procedure is designed to:
- Reduce the overall size of the nose
- Refine the nose for a pleasing appearance
- Improve breathing for people with a deviated septum
- Improve appearance for people with cleft palates/lips
- Remove malignant or benign tumors (in some cases)
Depending on your need for rhinoplasty surgery, some insurance providers cover the cost of the procedure. Some risks include infection, difficulty breathing, and swelling, and all risks should be discussed with your doctor before surgery. Bruising may occur after surgery and could last through your ten-day recovery time.
4. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Reshaping)
About 200,000 blepharoplasty surgeries take place each year. Mostly done for cosmetic reasons, a blepharoplasty is often combined with other surgeries, including fillers, to improve the look of the eyes. The eyelid procedure is used to:
- Reduce excess eyelid skin
- Remove drooping skin
- Improve vision
- Reduce bagginess from the lower eyelid
- Minimize the look of puffy eyes
A Blepharoplasty procedure may result in dry or irritated eyes, temporarily blurred vision, and other eyelid risks. You should discuss all risks with your doctor before determining if this procedure is right for you. On average, recovery time is ten days – with swelling becoming less noticeable over the following weeks or months.
5. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
With more than 130,000 procedures performed each year, the abdominoplasty surgery removes excess skin from the abdominal area and tightens the remaining skin. Most candidates that need a tummy tuck include:
- Women with a moderate or large amount of loose skin after childbirth
- Women or men who have a large amount of loose skin after a significant weight loss
- Women or men who have gained weight in their abdomen and have a large amount of skin present
- Women or men who don’t like how their clothes fit
Some medical reasons for receiving an abdominoplasty also include alleviating back pain, correcting a ventral hernia, and improving posture. People who are overweight should look into other options first before discussing abdominoplasty as an option with their doctor.
Diabetic patients have a higher risk of complications from a tummy tuck, and anyone considering the surgery should discuss all risks associated with the procedure. The average recovery time is two to three weeks, but some physical activity may require longer recovery times. This recovery time can be decreased if you explore the awake tummy tuck procedure.
Contact Innovations Medical for Your Cosmetic Procedure
If you require cosmetic procedures to fix a medical issue, or you simply don’t like how something looks, Innovations Medical is here for you. We’ve been helping our patients look their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To explore plastic surgery options and learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule a consultation.
Source: Numbers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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