Every year at this time, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons releases the annual procedural statistics from the previous year. This is always a good snap shot of the state of the specialty. From a cosmetic standpoint, there were over 15 million procedures performed in 2013. This includes both invasive surgery, minimally invasive and injectable and laser procedures. This represented an increase of 3% over the number performed in 2011.
Of the 15 million cosmetic procedures, 1.7 million were surgical which was a 1% increase. The top five cosmetic procedures were breast augmentation (290,000, up 1%), rhinoplasty nose reshaping (221,000, down 9%), blepharoplasty eyelid surgery (216,000, up 6%), liposuction (200,000, down 1%) and facelifts. (133,000, up 6%) Breast augmentation has been the leading cosmetic procedure for years. and the silicone implant is now used in the majority of them (72%) compated to saline implants. (28%) The introduction of a more form stable silicone material, shaped or teardrop implants and an increasing interest and use of injectable fat grafting to the breast continues to drive breast augmentation popularity.
Two of the fastest rising cosmetic surgery procedures are buttock augmentation and neck lifts. With over 10,000 buttock augmentations performed last year by fat injections (Brazilian Butt Lift), a 16% increase, changing this part of the body has come a long way from implants that have predated it. Neck lifts continue to increase in popularity as people are focused on this sign of facia aging, with more than 55,000 down in 2013. (up 6%)
The majority of cosmetic procedures were not surgery and consisted of injectable and device-related treatments. The top five non-surgical procedures were Botox and botulinum toxin equivalent injections (6.3 million, up 3%), injectable fillers (2.2 million, up 13%), chemical peels (1.2 million, up 3%), laser hair removal (1.1 million, down 4%) and microdermabrasion. (970,000, 0% change) The popularity of injectable treatments continues unabated and with three botulinum toxin options and nearly a dozen soft tissue injectable filler options, patients have a lot of treatment options from which to choose. In 2013, the hyaluronic soft tissue fillers rose a dramatic 18% from the year before.
These annual statistics show that the demand for plastic surgery remains with small but consistent increases in facial rejuvenation and body contouring. With new products and devices coming out each year, patients get exposed to new options and choices to tackle their aging and body change desires.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana