At the beginning of every year the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes a report of the prior year’s surgical statistics. Women made up 87 percent of all surgical cosmetic procedures in 2010 and 91 percent of all cosmetic procedures (surgical and minimally invasive combined). The most popular female cosmetic surgical procedures in 2010 were:
1. Breast Augmentation
Bigger continues to be better for many woman when it comes to breast size. In 2001, 296,000 breast augmentations were performed, an increase of 2 percent from 2009. Breast augmentation involves enhancing the size and shape of the breasts with saline or silicone implants, or with autologous fat.
2. Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
Coming in at second place is nose reshaping, with 189,000 rhinoplasties performed on women in 2010. Rhinoplasty involves surgical reshaping of the nose.
3. Liposuction
Some women opted for a little surgical help to remove unwanted fat from trouble spots. In 2010, 179,000 liposuction (also known as lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy) procedures were performed on women. This number was a 2-percent increase from 2009. Liposuction involves removing unwanted localized fat deposits to reshape and redefine the contours of the body.
4. Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Whether it was for baby blues, beautiful browns, gleaming greens or somewhere in between, the eyes were a focus for many women in 2010; 177,000 blepharoplasties (also known eye lift or eyelid lift) were performed on women, a 3-percent increase from 2009. Blepharoplasty involves reshaping the eyelids by removing excess eyelid skin or by removing the bags under the eyes.
5. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
For some women, sit-ups and crunches did not give satisfactory results. In 2010, 112,000 tummy tucks were performed on women. Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, with tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles if necessary.
See Abdominoplasty Before and After Photos
Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2010 Plastic Surgery Procedural Statistics. Accessed: April 20, 2011. 2010 Plastic Surgery Procedural Statistics.
