Annual plastic surgery statistics reflect the

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

Since 2000, total procedures have increased 115 percent, but the types of procedures patients choose are changing.

“While the more traditional facial procedures and breast augmentations are still among the most popular, we are seeing a much greater variety in the areas of the body that patients choose to target,” said ASPS President David H. Song, MD, MBA, FACS . “Patients have more options than ever, and in close collaboration with their surgeon, are able to focus on specific target areas of the body to achieve the look they desire.”

At one time the term plastic surgery was almost synonymous with facelifts, and while they remain a popular choice among patients, other types of lifts are on the rise.

Since 2000, ASPS statistics show significant growth in:

• Breast lift, up 89 percent (99,614 in 2015, up from 52,836 in 2000)
• Butt lift, up 252 percent (4,767 in 2015, up from 1,356 in 2000)
• Lower body lifts, up 3,973 percent (8,431 in 2015, up from 207 in 2000)
• Upper arm lifts, up 4,959 percent (17,099 in 2015, up from 338 in 2000)

While procedures such as the upper arm lift and lower body lift have shown significant growth, for the first time since at least 2000, facelifts fell out of the top 5 procedures performed last year, giving way to tummy tucks.

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

• Breast augmentation (279,143 procedures, down 2 percent since 2014, up 31 percent since 2000)
• Liposuction (222,051 procedures, up 5 percent from 2014 but down 37 percent from 2000)
• Rhinoplasty (217,979 procedures, unchanged from 2014, down 44 percent from 2000)
• Blepharoplasty (203,934 procedures, down 1 percent from 2014, down 38 percent from 2000)
• Abdominal pressure (127,967 procedures, an increase of 9% since 2014 and 104% since 2000)

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

• Botulinum Toxin Type A (6.7 million procedures, up 1 percent from 2014 and up 759 percent from 2000)
• Soft tissue fillers (2.4 million procedures, up 6 percent from 2014 and up 274 percent from 2000)
• Chemical Peel (1.3 million procedures, 5% increase since 2014 and 14% since 2000)
• Laser hair removal (1.1 million procedures, unchanged from 2014 but up 52 percent from 2000)
• Microdermabrasion (800,340 procedures, down 9% from 2014 and 8% from 2000)

“The number of providers available, the lower cost and the less invasive nature of these procedures obviously appeal to a much wider range of patients,” Dr. Song said. “However, we urge anyone considering a minimally invasive procedure to consult with a board-certified ASPS member surgeon.”

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

New ASPS statistics have shown that 2015 was another year of the rear, as procedures focused on the derriere dominated surgical growth. Buttock implants were the fastest growing type of cosmetic surgery in 2015 and, overall, a buttock operation was performed every 30 minutes every day, on average.

Here are the top bottom-related procedures in 2015:

• Buttock augmentation with fat grafting (14,705 procedures, up 28% from 2014 to 2015)
• Buttock lift (4,767 procedures up 36 percent from 2014 to 2015)
• Buttock implants (2,540 procedures up 36% from 2014 to 2015)

For the first time, men account for more than 40 percent of breast reduction surgeries

There were 68,106 breast reduction surgeries in the United States in 2015, and for the first time men accounted for more than 40 percent of those procedures.

A total of 27,456 breast reduction (gynecomastia) procedures were performed on men, representing a 5 percent increase over the previous year and a 35 percent increase since 2000.

“As plastic surgery becomes more common and accepted among men, we are seeing more of them undergoing procedures to tighten and tone problem areas, such as the chest,” said Dr. Song. “This procedure is often done on younger men who have genetic challenges with their breast size and shape, and when necessary, surgery can make a big difference in their lives.”

In 2012, ASPS launched a national Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign to educate, engage, and empower women to make informed decisions about their health care after a breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy. We are pleased to report that in 2015, the number of reconstruction procedures increased by 4 percent to more than 106,300, and since 2000, the numbers have increased by 35 percent.

“This is encouraging and we hope to continue to give voice to all women facing breast cancer so that they are well aware of all their reconstructive options from the onset of diagnosis,” said Dr. Song.

Breast reconstruction can be performed using a variety of plastic surgery techniques, depending on which is clinically appropriate for the patient, and is important in restoring the breast to near-normal shape, appearance, and size after a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

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ASPS members can report procedural information through the first online national database of plastic surgery procedures, follow-up procedures, and outcomes for plastic surgeons (TOPS). This data, combined with an annual survey sent to the American Board of Medical Specialties board-certified physicians most likely to perform these procedures, results in the most comprehensive inventory for plastic surgery.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Surgeon Members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and source of information on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. The ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS promotes quality care for plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of education, ethics, medical practice and research in plastic surgery.

Heather Gates:

ASPS Communications Director

(847)981-5408

hgates@plasticsurgery.org

the

Shannon McCormick

(614) 477-2719 (cell)

(614) 932-9950 (office)

shannon@mediasourcetv.com