Plastic surgery is growing in popularity each year, with almost 18 million surgical procedures taking place in the United States annually. Women are no longer the only people having cosmetic surgery. Men are contributing to the boom in procedures. The following are the 10 most common plastic surgery procedures.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that suctions fat from specific areas of the body to provide a slimmer and shapelier silhouette. There are several types of liposuction.
In tumescent liposuction, the most popular type, a solution of saline, a drug to constrict blood vessels and a numbing agent are infused into the area to be treated.
This liquid, along with fat, is suctioned out of the body using small hollow metal instruments called cannulas. The infusion of liquid can cause short-term fluid retention that diminishes over the next few days.
In ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL), the cannula releases ultrasonic energy to melt fat so that it can be suctioned out of the body. UAL has more risks than tumescent liposuction, including the risk of internal and external burns and a lengthier surgery.
Other options include laser liposuction, power-assisted, air-assisted, and suction-assisted.
The average patient is able to return to work within a few days, depending on the area(s) selected for the treatment.
What to Know If You're Considering Liposuction
Breast Augmentation
The surgical enlargement of women’s breasts has become enormously popular with over 300,000 procedures done every year in America.
Surgery is done for many reasons, to enlarge both breasts, to replace a breast that is absent, or to make asymmetrical breasts equal in size. Other women opt for surgery when their breasts do not develop during puberty, a condition called congenital micromastia.
Silicone implants, once banned as a health risk, are increasing in popularity. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 12% of women opted for silicone implants in 2018.
Most patients have one or two weeks of recovery before they can return to normal activities. High impact activity, such as running, may require additional healing time.
What to Expect After Breast Implant Surgery
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid reshaping surgery is can be done for cosmetic reasons or to improve vision in patients where the eyelids obstruct vision. Too much skin or sagging skin can cause vision to be impaired and contributes to the appearance of aging.
Lower eyelids with chronic puffiness or wrinkling are often reduced during the procedure for a more youthful appearance. Fat pads under the eyes causing the appearance of “bags” are removed as necessary in the lower lid procedure.
Most people can go out in public in 10 to 14 days, with swelling becoming less noticeable for weeks or months.
An Overview of Blepharoplasty Surgery
Abdominoplasty
Commonly known as a tummy tuck or a lower body lift, abdominoplasty removes excess skin from the abdominal area and tightens the skin that remains. This surgery is often performed on people who have excess skin after being pregnant or after losing significant weight after bariatric surgery.
The ideal candidate does not have excess fat deposits in the abdomen to remove but too much skin hanging from the abdomen. Most patients are able to resume normal activities in two to three weeks but may have limits on physical activity for a longer period of time.
What You Can Expect From a Tummy Tuck
Breast Reduction
A woman’s breast reduction surgery is one of the few plastic surgeries that insurance does pay for routinely, as the benefits go far beyond an improved appearance. Women with very heavy or overly large breasts often have difficulty finding clothing that fits, experience chronic back pain, neck pain, chronic rashes, and poor posture.
Ideally, the surgery to reduce both the size and weight of the breasts will relieve back pain and improve posture. The surgery is a permanent solution to having disproportionate breasts and most patients return to work within two weeks.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Reduction Mammaplasty
Rhinoplasty
A nose job, or rhinoplasty,reshapethe nose, bringing it into balance with the rest of the face. The surgeon may reduce the overall size of the nose or refine areas of the nose for a more pleasing appearance.
In some cases where breathing is can be improved through surgery, as in the case of a deviated septum, insurance will pay for some or all of the surgery. Bruising can be obvious after surgery but should fade over the next ten days, when most patients return to work.
Rhytidectomy
A rhytidectomy, or facelift, is a surgical solution to the wrinkles and sagging that accompany aging. A facelift tightens the skin of the face to give a more youthful appearance by gently pulling skin tighter, smoothing deep lines, and minimizing sagging.
A facelift is frequently combined with another procedure, forehead lift, eyelid shaping or skin peels, to enhance the youthful appearance of the patient. Sutures are often removed five to 10 days after the procedure, but recovery will take several weeks.
How to Take Care of Your Face After a Facelift
Breast Lift
A treatment for sagging or poorly shaped breasts, a breast lift repositions the breast for a perkier appearance. A typical patient will have this procedure after significant weight loss or pregnancy leaves the breasts looking deflated.
Some women opt to have a lift and an implant procedure if the breasts are notably smaller than before weight loss or pregnancy. Most women are able to return to work within two weeks and resume full physical activity within a month.
Common Breast Lift Techniques
Forehead Lift
Similar to a facelift, a forehead lift pulls the skin of the forehead tighter to remove wrinkles and smooth creases. This corrects drooping eyebrows, "hooded" eyelids, forehead furrows, and frown lines. The eyebrows are also elevated for a more alert and youthful appearance.
Patients with deep furrows between the eyebrows also benefit from a forehead lift as the lines are minimized as the eyebrows are raised. Most patients are able to resume normal activity within ten days of surgery, but recovery can be significantly longer if combined with other facial surgeries.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Surgery to reduce excessive amounts of male breast tissue and fat, a condition known as gynecomastia, is a permanent treatment for most men, as long as the increased amount of tissue is due to the person’s genetics. However, the majority of men don't require treatment.
Some men experience growth of their breasts after using steroids or marijuana habitually. For these men, breast size will increase if the use of the drug that caused the growth continues. It is essential that men who know that drugs are the cause of their gynecomastia stop using the drug prior to the surgery or the outcome may not be ideal.
Men with very large breasts may require a longer surgery with an additional procedure to decrease excess skin; otherwise sagging skin may be noticeable.
Surgeons typically make an incision around the nipple line so that the scar is not noticeable to the casual observer, allowing patients to go shirtless after recovery. Most men are able to return to work within a week and are able to return to normal activity within weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cosmetic surgery called plastic surgery?
The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastikos, meaning to form or mold. Cosmetic surgery changes a person’s appearance by a combination of implants and tissue reshaping. There is no plastic involved in plastic surgery.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
Possibly. Blepharoplasty (eyelid reshaping surgery) may be covered by your health insurance if the reason for the surgery is medical. Sagging eyelid skin can obstruct vision and is a common medical complaint in seniors.
If your doctor recommends blepharoplasty for medical reasons, insurance should cover it, but check with your insurance provider first.
Is breast surgery covered by insurance?
It depends. Breast reduction surgery may be covered by insurance if done for medical reasons. Breast enlargement surgery is a cosmetic surgery that is not covered by insurance.
(Video) Plastic Surgery on the Rise for Men and WomenReconstructive breast surgery after mastectomy due to breast cancer is typically covered by insurance. Breast revision surgery may be covered by insurance if it is due to a health problem, such as scarring, deformities, problems with implants, or uneven breasts.
Male breast reduction surgery may be covered by insurance if deemed medically necessary to treat gynecomastia.
Always check with your insurance company before scheduling a procedure.
An Overview of Gynecomastia
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2018 plastic surgery statistics report.
Klein JA, Jeske DR. Estimated maximal safe dosages of tumescent lidocaine. Anesth Analg. 2016;122(5):1350-9. doi:10.1213/ANE.0000000000001119
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How assisted liposuction works.
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Schumacher H. An overview of micromastia and breast asymmetry. Aesthetics.
Naik MN, Honavar SG, Das S, Desai S, Dhepe N. Blepharoplasty: An overview. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009;2(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.53092
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Eyelid surgery recovery and results.
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(Video) Why China is Worried About Plastic SurgeryKung TA, Ahmed R, Kang CO, Cederna PS, Kozlow JH. Accuracy of predicted resection weights in breast reduction surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2018;6(6):e1830. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001830
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Rhinoplasty cost.
John Hopkins Medicine. Treatments and procedures: Facelift and mini-facelift.
Cleveland Clinic. Breast lift.
MedlinePlus. Forehead lift.
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By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN
Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.
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FAQs
Who gets more plastic surgery male or female? ›
Women Make This Look Good
Considering the overwhelming majority of cosmetic procedures that take place are for females, it's not surprising that the most in-demand job for women is performed nearly 250,000 more times than the most popular surgery for men.
Fueled by today's selfie-obsessed social media culture, the rise of less invasive procedures, and the marketing efforts of industry giants like Allergan (you know, the makers of Botox® and CoolSculpting®), men are increasingly more aware of the options they have to address cosmetic concerns.
Who gets plastic surgery the most? ›40-54 year olds make up the majority of cosmetic procedures, 49% of the total in the world.
What percentage of plastic surgeons are male? ›Men make up 85 percent of board-certified plastic surgeons.
How common is plastic surgery in men? ›Plastic surgery for men is quite popular. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more than 289,000 procedures like nose reshaping or liposuction were performed in 2020.
How many females get plastic surgery? ›The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reveals from its 2014 plastic surgery statistics that women accounted for 92% of all cosmetic procedures, with the remaining 8% going to men.
What is a daddy do over? ›"It's basically a combination of procedures aimed at getting rid of the 'dad bod. '" Similar to a mommy makeover, a daddy do-over consists of a combination of cosmetic surgical procedures and treatments performed all combined into one surgery and one recovery period.
Do men have cosmetic surgery? ›The cosmetic procedures that men request most commonly include: Eyelid rejuvenation. Neck lift. Rhinoplasty (nose job)
Is Botox common in men? ›The popularity of Botox is on the rise for men
Women still dominate the market for cosmetic procedures, but the number of men getting work done is trending upward. Botox and other botulinum toxin injections like Dysport and Xeomin are some of the most popular anti-aging methods men.
- Liposuction.
- Breast Augmentation.
- Blepharoplasty.
- Abdominoplasty.
- Breast Reduction.
- Rhinoplasty.
- Rhytidectomy.
- Breast Lift.
Which country is best at plastic surgery? ›
Switzerland. Switzerland has for many years been known to be a country that provides world-class cosmetic surgery. It also boasts of having some of the best plastic surgeons in the world.
What age group has the most plastic surgery? ›Most Common and Practical Age Range for Plastic Surgery
Of course, we do treat many patients well under and over that age range, but 35-50 is typically the most common.
How well represented are women in the field of cosmetic surgery? Shockingly, figures from the Royal College of Surgeons reveal a stark gender gap in surgery generally, with women making up just 11 per cent of all surgeons (rising to 30 per cent of trainees).
What percent of plastic surgeons are black? ›Caucasians comprise 74.9 percent of academic plastic surgeons, while Asian-, African-, and Latino-Americans comprise 10.9, 1.4, and 3.6 percent, respectively.
How many people get plastic surgery in the US? ›Every year, providers do more than 15 million cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. More than 13 million of those are minimally invasive procedures. People of all genders and ages get cosmetic surgery. These procedures are more common among adults between 40 and 54.
Who is the man with the most plastic surgery? ›Justin Jedlica is known as the "human Ken doll."
Since then, he has undergone more than 150 procedures.
The goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve a person's appearance, self-esteem and self-confidence. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on any part of the face and body.
What is the most common surgery in the United States? ›- Appendectomy. ...
- Breast biopsy. ...
- Carotid endarterectomy. ...
- Cataract surgery. ...
- Cesarean section (also called a c-section). ...
- Cholecystectomy. ...
- Coronary artery bypass. ...
- Debridement of wound, burn, or infection.
And as the ASPS reports, from 2000 to 2020 there was an overall 22% increase of procedures performed. So even though 2020's numbers were lower than 2019, we expect that 2021 and 2022 will show continued growth in the popularity of plastic surgery.
Are plastic surgery rates increasing? ›According to AAFPRS members, the total number of surgical and non-surgical facial plastic surgery treatments is up dramatically.
Is the plastic surgery industry growing? ›
...
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Market size value in 2022 | USD 68.9 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2030 | USD 145.7 billion |
Growth rate | CAGR of 9.6% from 2021 to 2030 |
Despite popular opinions, cosmetic surgery is for everyone, not just women. Today, more men are opting for both surgical and nonsurgical plastic surgery procedures in order to improve the way they look. Years ago, rhinoplasty was considered to be a predominantly female procedure, but that is no longer the case.
How many men get face lifts? ›About 1 in 10 people who get facelifts are men. There are different types, including a "mini" facelift.
Do men have tummy tucks? ›Tummy tuck surgery has become more common among men who would like a tighter midsection. A tummy tuck will tighten loose abdominal muscles, as well as remove loose skin around the midsection. Weight loss surgery has become more common among men as well.
How do you tell if a man has had Botox? ›“When an area of the face is frozen with absolutely no wrinkles, you can assume the person has had a date with a needle.” "When you look at a photo and see an area of the face that is extremely smooth and shiny," Rusher says, "that can be an indicator that the person may have had Botox."
Why do men need more Botox? ›Men will often require more units of BOTOX® than women. Generally, a man has more muscle mass in his forehead and brows than a woman. This means more product is needed for the ideal amount of relaxation and desired look.
What does Botox under the eyes do? ›Those who had them in the lower eyelids and crow's feet area were more likely to report positive results than those who only received injections in their lower eyelids. These results suggest that Botox injections can make the lower eyelid appear fuller and plumper, helping to reduce wrinkles and bagginess.
Which country is No 1 in plastic surgery? ›...
The Top Five Countries.
Position | Country | Total procedures |
---|---|---|
1 | USA | 4,361,867 |
2 | Brazil | 2,267,405 |
3 | Mexico | 1,043,247 |
4 | Germany | 922,056 |
- Breast augmentation or enlargement (augmentation mammoplasty)
- Breast implant removals.
- Breast lift (mastopexy) with or without the placement of an implant.
- Buttock lift.
- Chin, cheek, or jaw reshaping (facial implants or soft tissue augmentation)
- Dermabrasion.
Dilation and curettage (D&C) is one of the most common gynecological procedures.
What's the cheapest country to get plastic surgery? ›
- India.
- Thailand.
- Mexico.
- Iran.
- Turkey.
- India.
- Thailand.
- Mexico.
Turkey remains one of the cheapest places globally to get plastic surgery, simultaneously preserving a high quality of medical service and outcomes. 2,000 plastic surgery, cosmetic and dental procedures are performed daily in Turkey, as ISAPS reports.
Which city has the most plastic surgery? ›RealSelf checked into the density of plastic surgeons and found the number one city to be… Miami, Florida with 3.90 plastic surgeons for every 100,000 residents. Who knew?
What's the youngest you can get plastic surgery? ›There are no specific laws in the United States that prevent teenagers from getting cosmetic surgery; however, parental consent is required for patients under the age of 18. Therefore, the responsibility falls to parents to help their children make the right decision.
What state has the most plastic surgery? ›Rank, Surgical Demand Index | State Name | Surgical Density (Surgeons per 10,000 people) |
---|---|---|
1 | Wyoming | 0.051 |
2 | Oklahoma | 0.083 |
3 | Arkansas | 0.071 |
4 | New Mexico | 0.091 |
As the 1960s began, plastic surgery became even more prominent in the minds of the American public as the scope of procedures performed by surgeons increased.
What is the most common plastic surgery in the world? ›- Liposuction.
- Breast Augmentation.
- Blepharoplasty.
- Abdominoplasty.
- Breast Reduction.
- Rhinoplasty.
- Rhytidectomy.
- Breast Lift.
- Breast augmentation or enlargement (augmentation mammoplasty)
- Breast implant removals.
- Breast lift (mastopexy) with or without the placement of an implant.
- Buttock lift.
- Chin, cheek, or jaw reshaping (facial implants or soft tissue augmentation)
- Dermabrasion.
Every year, providers do more than 15 million cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. More than 13 million of those are minimally invasive procedures. People of all genders and ages get cosmetic surgery. These procedures are more common among adults between 40 and 54.
Is rhinoplasty a surgery? ›Rhinoplasty (RIE-no-plas-tee) is surgery that changes the shape of the nose. The motivation for rhinoplasty may be to change the appearance of the nose, improve breathing or both.
Which country is No 1 in plastic surgery? ›
...
The Top Five Countries.
Position | Country | Total procedures |
---|---|---|
1 | USA | 4,361,867 |
2 | Brazil | 2,267,405 |
3 | Mexico | 1,043,247 |
4 | Germany | 922,056 |
Plastic surgery can be a treatment for several health conditions. For example, breast reduction can help relieve back pain, rhinoplasty can improve breathing, and blepharoplasty can improve vision. To look younger. Looking younger is a huge reason many people pursue plastic surgery.
What country is the most plastic surgery? ›South Korea is the country with the highest percentage of plastic surgeries in the world, and this is followed by Greece and Italy. The United States falls below the fifth rank of plastic surgery by country according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
What is the most common female surgery? ›Dilation and curettage (D&C) is one of the most common gynecological procedures.
What age group gets the most plastic surgery? ›Most Common and Practical Age Range for Plastic Surgery
Of course, we do treat many patients well under and over that age range, but 35-50 is typically the most common.
RealSelf checked into the density of plastic surgeons and found the number one city to be… Miami, Florida with 3.90 plastic surgeons for every 100,000 residents. Who knew?
What state has the most plastic surgery? ›Rank, Surgical Demand Index | State Name | Surgical Density (Surgeons per 10,000 people) |
---|---|---|
1 | Wyoming | 0.051 |
2 | Oklahoma | 0.083 |
3 | Arkansas | 0.071 |
4 | New Mexico | 0.091 |
According to AAFPRS members, the total number of surgical and non-surgical facial plastic surgery treatments is up dramatically.
What state has the best plastic surgeons? ›Total Plastic Surgeon Jobs: | 39 |
---|---|
Average Annual Salary: | $148,702 |
Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $92,000 |
Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $240,000 |
Most likely you won't be allowed to wear a tampon while in surgery. Instead, you will be given a pad to wear. The nurse in the operating room will change your pad while you are sleeping if necessary.
What age is your nose fully developed? ›
Age-related growth changes in the bony and cartilaginous framework of the nose were evaluated. Nasal height and nasal bridge length became fully mature in males at 15 years and fully mature in females at 12 years.
Do nose jobs age well? ›Most people don't think of rhinoplasty as an anti-aging procedure, but it does have some anti-aging effects, especially for women. In a UCLA study, artificial intelligence guessed female rhinoplasty patients were up to 3 years younger after rhinoplasty than they looked before the surgery.