6 Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery has come a long way over the last 20 years. In the year 2000, only 5.7 million surgical plus non-surgical procedures were performed in the US. Fast forward to 2020 and those numbers stand at 15.6 million. That’s a more than 220 percent increase, not to forget that there are an additional 6.8 million reconstructive procedures completed in the same year. If you have been thinking about undergoing plastic surgery, it is important to figure out what some of the top procedures are.

1. Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, also referred to as nose reshaping surgery, is a procedure that aims to alter the shape or structure of the nose. This treatment is commonly performed to alleviate cosmetic issues such as crooked nose, wide nostrils, or pointy tips. Rhinoplasty treatments may also be used to suit functional goals, such as correct breathing problems caused by structural deformities in the structure of the nose. In 2020, rhinoplasty happened to be the number one cosmetic procedure in the US, with more than 352,000 of these treatments completed.

2. Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery, also referred to as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is designed to enhance the appearance of the upper or lower eyelids. This treatment is typically used to alleviate aesthetic issues such as loose or sagging skin that impairs vision around the upper eyelids, drooping lower eyelids, bags under the eyes, fatty deposits in the eyelids, or excess skin in the lower eyelids. Plastic surgeons achieve this by removing excess skin and tissue from the eyelids in order to reveal a youthful-looking and refreshed facial appearance. In 2020, blepharoplasty was the second most popular cosmetic surgery, with more than 325,000 of these treatments completed in the US.

3. Facelift

Facelift, also commonly referred to as rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to alleviate signs of aging and restore youthfulness in areas of the face. Plastic surgeons accomplish this by removing excess skin and fat tissue while also tightening the underlying connective tissue. In some cases, non-invasive procedures may be used to address minor cosmetic issues in the face. Surgical facelift was the third most popular surgical cosmetic treatment in the US in 2020, with more than 234,000 procedures completed.

4. Liposuction

Liposuction is the number one body contouring procedure that can be used to reshape virtually any part of the body, including the abdomen, breasts, arms, legs, buttocks, and face. Plastic surgeons use a special suction device known as a cannula to remove fat from the targeted treatment areas. Because only tiny incisions are used during this treatment, liposuction is a less invasive cosmetic surgery. More than 211,000 lipo surgeries were completed in 2020, making this the fourth most popular treatment.

5. Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a treatment to enhance the shape and size of the breasts. Plastic surgeons do this by using artificial implants to achieve the desired breast size and volume. However, in some cases, fat tissue from the patient’s own body may be utilized to complete the enlargement. Over the last few years, breast enlargement has ranked among the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US. This was no different in 2020 when over 193,000 of these treatments were completed even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

6. Neck lift

Neck lift is similar to a facelift but only addresses areas of the neck and lower face. The goal here is to address visible signs of aging such as jowls, sagging skin, and fat deposits under the chin. Plastic surgeons focus on removing excess tissue while also tightening the underlying connective tissue to achieve a smooth and more youthful appearance. In 2020 alone, more than 160,000 neck lift surgeries were completed in the US.

Conclusion

Other major plastic surgeries include dermabrasion, cheek implants, tummy tucks, and forehead lift. For patients looking for non-invasive options, leading contenders in 2020 included BOTOX, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments.