Beauty Doc Blog

Taking a look at the most popular plastic surgery procedures in America provides an overview of what areas of the body more people want to change and improve, or at least what parts have become popular to improve. The increased visibility of plastic surgery procedures due to TV shows like Nip/Tuck, Extreme Makeover, The Swain and Kathy Griffon’s Life on the D List have made many more people aware of plastic surgery and removed much of the stigma that was associated with plastic surgery procedures in the past. If your favorite movie star or other celebrity is having plastic surgery performed then perhaps it is right for you as well, or at least that is the theory. In our culture celebrities are on the cutting edge of many societal changes, so it is no surprise that they lead the way in plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery has become such a major  part of  society that, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 6.6 million people had cosmetic plastic surgery in the year 2002. That same year the  five most popular plastic surgery procedures were breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, eyelid surgery and face lift surgery. In fact, in an article in National Geographic, one plastic surgeon said “Today society accepts the improving of one’s image.” One reason also is the advancement made  in technology and the procedures themselves. Through computer imaging a patient can get a preview of the expected results. In fact, some surgeons offer computer imaging at their practice including  before and after photographs to show the change possible.

The popular procedures are concerned with areas that are quickly and easily seen. The face, the eyelids, the nose, the breasts and body fat. Improving these areas through plastic surgery can help a patient to  improve overall appearance and possibly boost self-esteem. Of course, patients should be well informed. Doing due diligence, gathering information, and discussing the procedure with the physician contributes to overall knowledge and allows a patient to have reasonable expectations.

Still, if the figures quoted are an indication of things to come, and if our popular culture continues in the direction it is going, getting plastic surgery will become more and more routine. The five most popular procedures: breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, face lift and eyelid lift surgery, will be undergone by more and more people, who will tell their friends, and the numbers will continue to rise.