Most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in 2012

The 2012 National Totals for Cosmetic Procedures, hot off the press from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), answers an interesting question: “What cosmetic procedures do Americans think are important enough to invest hard-earned dollars in?”

Breasts regain their number one status Breast augmentation has regained its status in 2012 as the leading surgical procedure in the United States after slipping back into second position in 2011. This is no surprise; today’s low cut and scooped out tops demand attractive cleavage. Also, the return of silicone gel implants to the market in 2006 may be a driving force in breast augmentation increase. Women have traditionally favored silicone because of its more natural look and feel. There were 369,928 breast augmentations performed in 2012 compared with 316,848 in 2011.

Last year’s frontrunner, liposuction, had 313,011 procedures in 2012 compared with 325,332 procedures in 2011. Competing with liposuction are some new and cutting edge noninvasive body sculpting techniques, including CoolSculpting, Vaser Shape, and Liposonix. About 77,000 Americans used noninvasive technologies to get rid of unwanted pockets of fat in 2012. Though quicker and easier than liposuction, these technologies yield much less dramatic results, so it will be interesting to see how they fare next year.

Read the Full Article and download the full statistical report at http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/popular-cosmetic-surgery-procedures-2012-1049714

Source:  ASAPS March 12, 2013 at http://www.surgery.org/consumers/plastic-surgery-news-briefs/popular-cosmetic-surgery-procedures-2012-1049714