With our breast-obsessed society, it should come as no surprise that breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States. In 2009, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported that breast augmentation was the top cosmetic procedure for women and overall in the U.S. While enlargement remains popular, thousands of women are choosing other surgeries to improve the appearance of their breasts, including lift and reduction procedures.
According to the ASPS, growth in breast lift surgeries has actually surpassed the increase in augmentation surgeries over the past 10 years. While breast reconstruction is often considered to be reconstructive in nature because it can alleviate symptoms such as back and shoulder pain, it also has a cosmetic component, and many more women seeking relief are choosing this procedure. Understanding the benefits of these surgeries provides some context as to why breast enhancement is increasingly popular.
Breast Augmentation Defined
For many years, breast augmentation surgery has been one of the most in-demand procedures in the United States. Despite a 6% decrease from 2008 to 2009, 36% more augmentations were performed last year than in the year 2000. Breast augmentation is designed to create fuller, larger breasts by using either saline or silicone filled implants. Both implant types are approved by the FDA so the choice of implant material largely depends on patient preference.
There are also several different options for the location of the incision to place the implant. Options include the crease where the breast and chest meet, the armpit, the areola (the skin surrounding the nipple), and the belly button (although few surgeons offer this approach). Different implant shapes also exist. For example, both teardrop shape (with greater volume toward the bottom of the implant, mimicking natural breast tissue) and round shape are available for San Diego breast augmentation patients.
Breast Augmentation Not the Only Option
As mentioned earlier, breast augmentation is not the only way to enhance the breasts. Many women are discovering other procedures to help them achieve the look they desire.
Breast Lift Surgery
Breast lifts have become increasingly popular. In 2009, the ASPS reported that breast lift surgery was one of the top 10 cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. Just last year, 87,386 lift procedures were performed. The number of breast lifts performed is up 65% from the year 2000. This clearly demonstrates a major shift that is occurring in popularity for breast enhancement surgeries.
What Is Breast Lift Surgery?
Also known as mastopexy, this surgery raises and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. Although a breast lift cannot create fuller or larger looking breasts, this procedure can provide patients with uplifted and firmer breasts, enhance the position of the areolas and nipples, and resize the areolas. For women who want both reshaping and resizing, a lift can be combined with augmentation/implants.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is among the most popular plastic surgery procedures, especially when compared to other surgeries that are usually considered “reconstructive.” In 2009, 78,427 reduction procedures were performed, again according to the ASPS. Although this procedure is down both since 2000 and 2008, it is still a common procedure that is performed both for increased comfort and an improved appearance.
Breast reduction, or reduction mammaplasty, removes excess breast fat, tissue, and skin in order to achieve a breast size that is in better proportion with a patient’s body. In addition, it serves to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by oversized breasts.
The Future of Breast Enhancement
It is hard to determine exactly what the future of breast enhancement will look like. From the 2009 ASPS statistics, we can anticipate that breast enlargement surgery in general will continue to be popular in the United States for years to come. Further, it is reasonable to suspect that breast lift and breast reduction procedures will increase, particularly as the population ages.
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