The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, (The Aesthetic Society) announces the release of its annual statistics for 2018.

For the second year, the survey reflects data collected only from plastic surgeons, reportedly the only survey in the United States to focus exclusively on the specialty. The latest data show what the most popular aesthetic surgical procedures being performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States are, including expenditures for each, and show a significant increase in patient demand for noninvasive/nonsurgical options either alone or in conjunction with surgery.

The top 5 surgical procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in the US are:

  • Tummy Tucks
    • Performed by 93% of all plastic surgeons in the US in 2018
    • 157,492 patients received tummy tucks in 2018
    • $952,139,750 was spent on tummy tucks in 2018
  • Liposuction
    • Performed by 92% of all plastic surgeons in the US in 2018
    • 289,261 patients received liposuction in 2018
    • $969,008,435 was spent on liposuction in 2018
  • Breast Lifts
    • Performed by 90% of all plastic surgeons in 2018
    • 158,964 patients had breast lifts in 2018
    • $761,393,625 was spent on breast lifts in 2018
  • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
    • Performed by 90% of all plastic surgeons in the US performed in 2018
    • 115,508 patients had eyelid surgery in 2018
    • $358,102,359 was spent on eyelid surgery in 2018
  • Breast Augmentation with Silicone Implants
    • Performed by 88% of all plastic surgeons in the US in 2018
    • 329,914 patients received silicone breast implants in 2018
    • $1,146,936,553 was spent on silicone breast implants in 2018

“The top 5 procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States does not come as a surprise, as each of these procedures has always been popular among patients and delivers the best results when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgical procedures of the face and body. These procedures require a special skill set, including a detailed knowledge of anatomy and an artful eye, which is why plastic surgeons undergo a minimum of 6 years of plastic surgical residency training after medical school,” explains W. Grant Stevens, MD, president of The Aesthetic Society, in a media release.

Nonsurgical procedures saw significant growth again this year. The top 5 nonsurgical procedures for 2018 were:

  • Botulinum Toxin
    • 1,801,033 procedures performed
    • Up 16% from 2017 – (Up 36% since 2013)
    • $560,751,512 spent
  • Hyaluronic Acid
    • 810,240 procedures performed
    • Up 12% from 2017 – (Up 54% since 2013)
    • $544,019,712 spent
  • Nonsurgical Fat Reduction
    • 174,244 procedures performed
    • Down 4% since 2017 – (Up 135% since 2013)
    • $271,710,461 spent
  • Photo Rejuvenation (IPL)
    • 135,624 procedures performed
    • Up 20% since 2017 – (Up 10% since 2013)
    • $56,005,993 spent
  • Chemical Peel
    • 129,596 procedures performed
    • Up 9% since 2012– (Up 24% since 2013)
    • $89,750,698 spent

“Patients are becoming increasingly sophisticated. There used to be a myth, propagated by the press, that non-invasive procedures were a substitute for surgical procedures. Most patients now understand that non-invasive techniques address certain issues and certain aspects of the aging process, and surgical procedures address others,” explains Dr Charles Thorne, MD, and President-Elect of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in the release.

“For a person in their 50s or 60s whose main concerns are jowls and/or looseness in the neck, there is no question that a surgical cheek or neck lift is the most effective and most long lasting alternative–and because of the longevity, probably the least expensive.”

[Source(s): American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, PR Newswire]