Plastic surgery will seemingly never go out of style. Over the years, cosmetic surgery has only grown more mainstream and less taboo. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were more than 17.7 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2018, a number that has risen steadily over the past five years.
What’s more, plastic surgery has grown and changed so much over the past fifteen years, with fat transfer procedures like the Brazilian butt lift becoming a mainstay in coastal cities like Miami and Los Angeles. But out of every plastic surgery procedure available, what is the most common cosmetic surgery?
Listed below, from number five to number one, are the top cosmetic surgery procedures of 2018 according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
5. Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck hits number five on the list of the most popular procedures in America, and it’s no wonder why. Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a popular procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal area, and for many patients, tightens and restores the stomach muscles to its former shape and positioning. Benefits of a tummy tuck include a smoother, firmer midsection with improved overall contour. There are variations of the procedure, but the basic tummy tuck involves working with the abdominal section from the bottom of the rib cage up to the hip. Patients continuously go for this procedure for its ability to create a washboard tummy and eliminate visible stretch marks and saggy skin.
4. Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can remove excess skin, muscle and sometimes fat from the upper or lower eyelids. For drooping eyelids and eye bags, eyelid surgery is the correction surgery that can restore your face to a rested, youthful appearance. This procedure ranks number four on the list of top plastic surgeries in America. The eyes are one of the first areas to show signs of aging, so this procedure is ideal if you’re looking to take years off of your face.
3. Nose Reshaping
The nose job has been a plastic surgery staple for years. With its ability to correct and reconstruct the nose for both aesthetic and functional needs, the procedure remains popular among patients of all ages. Because the nose is at the focal point of the face, changing its appearance can dramatically alter a person’s overall look.
2. Liposuction
Liposuction is a well-known and popular procedure that sculpts areas of the body with excess fat, streamlining, slimming and contouring the body. It is not a tool for weight loss, as the amount of fat removed during the surgery is relatively small. But the difference in the body’s aesthetics after the procedure can be significant. For years, lipo has been a tried and true way to remove stubborn pockets of fat and create a beautiful shape, leading to its number two spot on the list.
1. Breast Augmentation
It looks like breast implants will never go out of style! Topping the list for the most popular plastic surgery procedure in the United States in 2018 is the breast augmentation. A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that involves placing synthetic implants into the chest to enhance the volume and appearance of breasts. The procedure, which is sought out by over 300,000 American women a year, is typically done to increase breast size or improve breast symmetry. The outcome of breast augmentation varies based on the desires of each surgery candidate – some patients want a dramatic increase in breast size, while others opt to maintain a more natural appearance. The choice is up to the patient and entirely customizable.