The New National Pastime

The stigma surrounding plastic surgery has been steadily declining over the past few years. In 2019, statistics showed that 92% of all cosmetic procedures in the United States were done on female patients, with men accounting for the final 8%. While that divide has held firm for the better part of a decade, the number of procedures has risen in key demographics, such as 30-39-year-olds, and 55 and older. 

This is hardly surprising. In the case of those in their 30s, that decade represents, for many, complete autonomy from the institutions surrounding them when they were growing up. Armed with their own money and the chance to make their own choices, they go ahead and take the surgical leap. For those approaching old age, the story is different. In this demographic, the toll that aging has on the body is more conspicuous, and with the financial security that many people feel in their late 50s, plastic surgery is no longer a prohibitive prospect.

Women Make This Look Good

Considering the overwhelming majority of cosmetic procedures that take place are for females, it’s not surprising that the most in-demand job for women is performed nearly 250,000 more times than the most popular surgery for men. The most popular surgeries for women (per 2019 statistics) are as follows: 

  • Breast Augmentation (299,715 surgeries)
  • Liposuction (234,921 surgeries)
  • Eyelid Surgery (179,472 surgeries)
  • Nose Reshaping (157,756 surgeries)
  • Tummy Tuck (118,878)

Not only is plastic surgery remaining a viable answer for those who wish to change some aspect of their appearance, but it will likely continue to rise in popularity. Of women polled after a recent procedure, 98% of those who underwent breast augmentation reported being highly satisfied, and that they would have more plastic surgery in the future.

A Giant Leap For Mankind

While the disparity in numbers remains comparatively wide between the traditional gender identifications, plastic surgeons have reported that the number of men opting to go under the knife is climbing year-by-year. While the categories of interest points within advertising have the same effect on men as on women, it is surprising that the most popular procedures requested by men follow pretty much in line with what was reported by women:

  • Nose Reshaping (49,528 surgeries)
  • Eyelid Surgery (31,533 surgeries)
  • Liposuction (30,288 surgeries)
  • Breast Reduction (24,123 surgeries)
  • Hair Restoration (17,050 surgeries)

Unsurprisingly, hair restoration tracks high among male patients. But one of the more interesting statistics is that regardless of gender, plastic surgery remains patronized largely by the white demographic, topping at 70% of total procedures.

Become Who You Want, When You Want

In spite of all the plastic surgeries performed within the traditional binary genders, plastic surgeons are becoming increasingly in-demand for those individuals who identify somewhere within or outside of those gender norms. Transitioning procedures have seen a real boom over the last few years. Statistics show that about 0.6% of Americans identify as transgender, and more and more of them are requesting gender reassignment surgery each year. Happily, there are a number of procedures being perfected to cater to these individuals: 

  • Transfeminine/masculine Top Surgery: This surgery is designed to augment the breast tissue, either by enhancing or removing the tissue.
  • Facial Surgery: This type of surgery is designed to augment the natural features of the face to present a more gender-specific look.
  • Transfeminine/masculine Bottom Surgery: This type of surgery is perhaps the most widely recognized set of procedures associated with gender reassignment. It concerns transforming the patient’s biological genitalia to that of the desired sex.

The Age of Restoration

The adage often repeated in the medical world today is that “it has never been safer to be a patient than today.” Thanks to advancements in learning, science, and the tools available, it truly has never been a better time to undergo plastic surgery; recipients are happier with their results, recovery is getting shorter, and the world is more accepting of individuals who choose the surgical option. If you are considering a consultation with a qualified facial plastic surgeon, there is no better time than today.