Plastic surgery is growing in demand with nearly two million procedures being completed each year. That is over 5,000 procedures every day of the week, 52 weeks a year. Of this number the majority remain women as men will make up only 7.5 percent of all plastic surgeries. The most common plastic surgeries and the number performed are surprising when you consider most health insurance will not cover the procedures.
The results of plastic surgery will depend on both your realistic expectations as well as the skill of the surgeon you select. The price you pay for the more common plastic surgery procedures will also vary widely depending on what part of the country you have the procedure, as well as the surgeon. As a general rule, the better the surgeon, the higher the price tag.
Five Most Common Plastic Surgeries
Number One - Liposuction - This procedure literally sucks the fat out of your body using a surgical tube. There are two primary types of liposuction and each has its advantages depending on which part of the body the procedure is being performed on.
Number Two - Breast Augmentation - nearly 350,000 women have their breasts enlarged each year. In many cases it is strictly to obtain larger breasts. In other instances it may be to replace a lost breast, to attain more asymmetrical breasts or as a result of congenital micromastia in which the breasts do not develop properly during puberty.
Number Three - Blepharoplasty (Eye lid reshaping) - This procedure can provide younger looking eyes and can also include the removal of 'bags' beneath the eyes. This surgery can also be used to correct certain vision issues due to sagging or excessive skin around the eyes.
Number Four - Abdominoplasty - More commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. This surgery can be done for a number of reasons. It is very popular with females who had been pregnant, or with people who have lost a great deal of weight and have excess skin in the stomach region.
Number Five - Breast Reduction - This is one of the rare procedures which health insurance will generally cover. Women with extremely large breasts may have a variety of problems from finding proper fitting clothes to chronic neck and back pain.
Popular Plastic Surgeries
Number Six - Rhinoplasty - also known as a nose job.
Number Seven - Rhytidectomy - the famous face lift.
Number Eight - Breast Lift - also popular among women who have had children and want their old shape back.
Number Nine - Forehead Lift - Can provide a more youthful appearance.
Number Ten - Gynecomastia Treatment - This is a procedure to reduce excessive amounts of male breast tissue
Costs of Common Plastic Surgery
Two of the more common surgeries are liposuction and the tummy tuck. Neither of these are covered by health insurance under normal circumstances so the cost will be paid out of the patient's pocket. While the fees charged will vary widely, you should expect to pay a minimum of $3,000 for abdominal liposuction.
A tummy tuck, or Abdominoplasty, will generally cost in the range of $6,000 to $10,000 depending on the extent of the work being performed.
Any surgery has risks which should be discussed with your doctor/surgeon before committing to the surgery. Some of the most common problems are allergic reactions and infections. You should carefully consider the health risks and financial cost compared to the results and objectives you desire.
Sources
2006 Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics
Livestrong.com
Join the Conversation