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Breast Augmentation Ranks #1

June 12, 2009

Last year 329,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in the United States. This number topped those for liposuction and rhinoplasty. Eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty (‘tummy tuck’) were the fourth and fifth most popular procedures respectively.

While breast augmentation has consistently been in the top five cosmetic surgical procedures this is the first time it has been number one. There are several factors which likely contributed to the increased popularity of breast implant surgery. The procedure is safe. (Complication rates when performed by a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery are very low.) Patients have a choice of where the incision (and hence the scar) is located when choosing saline (salt water) filled implants. This includes the transaxillary approach which leaves a short scar in the armpit region and avoids a scar in the breast crease. Also, silicone implants became available for use late last year, giving women the option of a more natural feeling implant.

Overall, more than 11 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2006, up 7 percent from 2005. Approximately 9 million were minimally invasive procedures such as Botox®, fillers (including Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse), chemical peels and laser hair removal.

Robert P. Hummel