Warmer weather is approaching, which is traditionally a time when many of us begin to focus on and take steps to improve our appearance. While following through on your New Year’s resolution to exercise more frequently and to be more mindful of what you eat might help achieve your goals, for many, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough to achieve the appearance they seek.
That’s why we see so many people — 17.5 million in 2017, in fact — turn to plastic surgery procedures to help them look their very best and feel more confident. The continued increased interest in cosmetic plastic surgery comes from an annual plastic surgery procedural statistics report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which shows Americans are turning to new and innovative ways to shape their bodies. Tummy tucks are back in the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries in 2017 after dropping from the rankings in 2016. Americans underwent 2,000 more tummy tuck procedures in 2017 than in 2016, with more people striving to achieve that abdominal definition that can be so hard to attain with diet and exercise alone.
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Perhaps the most staggering finding from the study, though, is the rise of non-invasive technologies to shape the body. More people in 2017 chose ultrasound, radio frequency, infrared light, vacuum massage and injectable medication to reduce fat cells and tighten skin. Cellulite treatments using lasers to reduce fat were the fastest-growing procedures among all cosmetic procedures in 2017 — a 20 percent bump from 2016.
In addition to body contouring procedures, interest in breast reductions increased by 11 percent in 2017 following a 4 percent decline in 2016. The procedure, which removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin, allows women to achieve a breast size in proportion with their bodies. These procedures are consistently among the highest in patient satisfaction because they positively affect a woman’s quality of life both aesthetically and functionally.
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While three of the top five surgical procedures focused on the body, the top minimally invasive procedures focused on the face. Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures — like Botulinum Toxin Type A, soft tissue fillers and laser hair removal — are also on the rise, up nearly 200 percent since 2000. In fact, minimally invasive cosmetic procedures grew at a slightly higher rate than surgical procedures — like breast augmentations, liposuction and nose reshaping — in 2017.
Whether people are caring more about how they look or simply discovering that the majority of cosmetic procedures are accessible, affordable and low-risk, one thing is clear: More Americans are turning to plastic surgeons to help them look and feel the way they want to. With demand for these procedures on the rise, though, it’s important to remain diligent about only seeing physicians who have trained in these procedures — surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
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Before you undergo any procedure, ask yourself whether you’re in the hands of a highly qualified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The cost of a discounted procedure is not worth a botched result. Buy your new favorite dress on sale — not a medical procedure.
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These Cosmetic Procedures Are On the Rise originally appeared on usnews.com
