It's true that in terms of the sheer number of procedures done, botox injections are the clear leader, followed closely by other injectables and minimally invasive procedures. However, when it comes to actually going under the knife, there are still hundreds of thousands of people every year who make the decision to do just that. When they do, here's what they're getting:
1. Breast Augmentation (Augmentation Mammaplasty)
In ever-increasing numbers, women are flocking to surgeons to have their breasts surgically enhanced with the use of silicone or saline implants. In fact, in 2006, there were over 329,000 breast augmentation surgeries performed by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That number has grown by 55% since 2000, when only 212,000 breast augmentation surgeries were performed.See breast augmentation before and after photos.
2. Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
In the beginnings of cosmetic plastic surgery, rhinoplasty was perhaps the most sought-after procedure. There are rumors of many of the Hollywood's most well-known early starlets seeking fortune and fame by way of the scalpel in an effort to refine their noses into what was thought of as the perky and petite photogenic "ideal". Today, it is still a very popular procedure, with over 307,000 rhinoplasties performed in 2006 by board certified plastic surgeons.See rhinoplasty before and after photos.
3. Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
Liposuction has actually dropped a bit in popularity since 2000, relative to the other procedures on this list. In 2000, there were over 354,000 liposuction surgeries performed, compared to only 303,000 in 2006. There are different theories as to the reason for the decline, but it may be due in part to the advent of some new non-surgical or minimally invasive options for dealing with unwanted fat deposits, such as Smart Lipo and acoustic wave therapy. Still, liposuction remains near the top of the list.See liposuction before and after photos.
4. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyelids are the thinnest skin anywhere on the human body. They are also subject to the push and pull effect of constantly changing facial expressions. Therefore, they are often the first place a person begins to show his or her age. Drooping eyelids can make a person appear tired, sad, or even angry, and the worst cases can even negatively affect one's vision. So it's no big surprise to see this procedure at #4 on our list. In 2006, board certified plastic surgeons performed over 233,000 blepharoplasty (eye lift) surgeries on the upper and/or lower eyelids.See blepharoplasty before and after photos.
5. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
It's a simple fact: No amount of diet and exercise in the world can get rid of excess skin. This is the main reason behind the popularity of the surgery commonly known as the tummy tuck. The procedure is most popular with people who have lost large amounts of weight, and with women whose abdominal skin and muscles have been stretched beyond repair by pregnancy. While scarring is unavoidable, scars are almost always undetectable in a bikini, and many people are more than willing to trade this for the chance to have a flat stomach again. In 2006, board certified surgeons performed over 146,000 abdominoplasty surgeries.See tummy tuck before and after photos.
