Continuing Trends in Plastic Surgery: 2017 vs. 2016

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Between 2016 and 2017, both cosmetic surgical procedures and minimally invasive procedures increased by two percent, as reported in the 2017 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). This trend is expected to continue, thanks to a number of factors like growing acceptance of surgical assistance, an aging population with disposable income, and an increasing interest in plastic surgery by a younger generation. As the tech industry continues to find smarter ways to solve problems and nanotechnology thrives in the medical realm, expect to see continuing breakthroughs in medical repair and enhancement technologies and surgical techniques.

In comparing 2017 vs. 2016, according to the ASPS report, the top three surgical procedures remained the same – breast augmentation, liposuction, and rhinoplasty. The most popular minimally invasive procedures for 2017 also stayed the same – botox injections, soft tissue fillers, and chemical peels.

Read more about the report findings and trends in the US and abroad.

What can we expect in 2018?
While we don’t know how 2018 will stack up at the end, based on the review of the procedures for the last two years, here are a few interesting procedures that have had the biggest gains:

A Rear-View Focus
Cultural beauty standards have shifted toward well-proportioned buttocks. This has created a double-digit increase in the percentage of buttock augmentation surgeries (a 10% bump from 2016 to 2017) and buttock lifts (a 13% increase).

Smaller Is Better
While breast augmentations remain the top cosmetic surgery, breast reduction surgeries have been on the rise, with an 11% increase in procedures over the same two-year period.

The Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure increased by 2% in 2017, pushing it back as one of the top 5 procedures last year. Previous in 2016, the procedure ranked as the 6th top cosmetic surgical procedure.

“Fat” Procedures
Fat grafting techniques continue to improve, and with it comes an enthusiasm for a more “natural” procedure than implants offer. There was a 10% increase in buttock augmentation with fat grafting from 2016 to 2017.

Noninvasive Procedures Continue to Rise
Injectables designed specifically for lips, cheekbones, and eye areas continues to gain popularity as noninvasive cosmetic treatments. Fillers are likely to offer a minimally invasive alternative to the lift, and the ability to reshape the face. It is not surprising that facelift cosmetic surgeries fell by 4% from 2016 to 2017 (131,106 vs.125, 697 respectively). Nonsurgical treatments can be a great way for patients to determine if a facelift down the line is what they want for more long-term results.

Conversely, noninvasive fat reduction procedures continue to rise as well. Injection lipolysis treatments which allow for fat reduction in the jaw and chin area witnessed a 12% increase from 2016 to 2017.

With a plethora of both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, patients have many options to choose from. To ensure meeting desired aesthetic goals, patients are encouraged to do their homework on selecting the right plastic surgeon.

To learn more about finding a plastic surgeon check out some of these other resources:

Who Should Perform Your Cosmetic Surgery?

How To Check Plastic Surgeon Credentials

How to Look at Before And After Photos

Video:  Consider the Surgical Facility When Selecting a Surgeon