Dr. Konstantinos Seretis, MD, MSc, EBOPRAS

New data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show continued growth in cosmetic procedures over the last year, and a shift in the types of procedures patients have chosen since the start of the new millennium. According to the annual plastic surgery statistics, there were 15.9 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2015, a 2% increase over 2014.

Since 2000, overall procedures have risen 115%, but the types of procedures patients are choosing are changing. While facial procedures and breast surgeries are still among the most popular, there is much more diversity in the areas of the body patients are choosing to address. 

 

 

Lifts Lead the List

  It used to be that the term plastic surgery was nearly synonymous with facelifts, and while they remain a popular option among patients, other types of lifts are surging.

Since 2000, ASPS statistics show considerable growth in:

 

• Breast lifts, up 89%             (99,614, up from 52,836)

• Buttock lifts, up 25%           (4,767 , up from 1,356)

• Lower body lifts, up 3,973% (8,431 , up from 207)

• Upper arm lifts, up 4,959%  (17,099, up from 338)

 

 

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical and Minimally-Invasive Procedures

 Of the 1.7 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2015, the top 5 were:

 

1. Breast augmentation (279,143 procedures, down 2% from 2014, up 31% from 2000)

2. Liposuction (222,051 procedures, up 5% from 2014 but down 37% from 2000)

3. Nose reshaping (217,979 procedures, unchanged from 2014, down 44% since 2000)

4. Eyelid surgery (203,934 procedures, down 1% from 2014, down 38% since 2000)

5. Tummy tuck (127,967 procedures, up 9% from 2014 and 104% since 2000)

 

Among the 14.2 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures performed in 2015, the top 5 were:

 

1. Botulinum Toxin Type A (6.7 million procedures, up 1% from 2014 and 759% since 2000)

2. Soft Tissue Fillers (2.4 million procedures, up 6% from 2014 and 274% since 2000)

3. Chemical Peel (1.3 million procedures, up 5% from 2014 and 14% since 2000)

4. Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, unchanged from 2014, but up 52% since 2000)

5. Microdermabrasion (800,340 procedures, down 9% from 2014 and 8% since 2000)

 

The number of available providers, lower costs and the less-invasive nature of these procedures obviously appeal to a much broader range of patients. However, anyone who is considering a minimally-invasive procedure is advised to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Many of these minimally-invasive procedures are performed by a variety of providers, and not all of them have the expertise or rigorous training of plastic surgeons. “It may not be surgery, but there is still a lot at stake,” said the president of ASPS. “Before you undergo any procedure, do your homework and make sure you’re putting yourself in the hands of only the most qualified and highly-trained expert available.”

 

 

About the ASPS Annual Procedural Statistics

ASPS members may report procedural information through the first online national database for plastic surgery procedures, Tracking Operations and Outcome for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with an annual survey sent to American Board of Medical Specialties’ certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive census on plastic surgery.