Demand for cosmetic surgery continued to rise in the US in 2015

Posted: 01/03/2016

The number of plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures continue to increase in the United States as the costs apparently become more affordable. New data published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) confirmed that there were 15.9 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the US in 2015, a 2% increase since 2014. Of the increase, there was a 34% uplift in the number of buttock implant surgery procedures. 

ASPS president Dr David H Song commented: "While more traditional facial procedures and breast augmentations are still among the most popular, we're seeing much more diversity in the areas of the body patients are choosing to address. Patients have more options than ever and, working closely with their surgeon, they're able to focus on specific target areas of the body to achieve the look they desire."

The recent data has also shown that, as with the UK, there has been an increase in the number of men having plastic and cosmetic procedures. For the first time, men accounted for more than 40% of the total breast reduction surgeries performed in the US, a 5% increase since 2014 and a 35% growth in the procedure for men since 2000. 

Facelifts, which were once viewed as a leading cosmetic surgery procedure, slipped out of the top five in 2015. These were:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Rhinoplasty
• Eyelid surgery
• Tummy tucks.

Amy Milner, an associate in the Penningtons Manches clinical negligence team, comments: “It is no surprise that the number of plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures continue to increase in the US, as they have in the UK. From our experience, people choose to undergo plastic surgery for a variety of reasons whether it be to reconstruct areas following an accident or to enhance their own appearance if they suffer low self-esteem. 

“Our message remains that you should do your homework about the type of procedure you want and research your surgeon  and practice. We are still seeing an increase in the number of cases of people who have had devastating complications following a cosmetic procedure. Sadly, they have usually failed to do their homework to ensure that the procedure is appropriate for them and is performed by a qualified specialist.”

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