13.8 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2011, a 5% increase on the year before, according to a new report issued by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The authors added that by the end of 2011, the number of total plastic surgeries had grown for 24 consecutive months. These figures include both minimally-invasive and surgical procedures.

The ASPS informs that 5.5 additional reconstructive procedures were carried out in 2011, also a 5% increase on the previous year.

ASPS President Malcolm Z. Roth, MD., said:

“While the rate of economic recovery in the U.S. is still uncertain, 2011 proved to be a good year for plastic surgery. Consumer confidence was up, auto sales rose 10 percent, so it is not surprising that we would also see increased demand for plastic surgery procedures.”

1.6 cosmetic procedures were performed in 2011, a 2% increase over the previous year. Below are some details on the top five in 2011 compared to 2010:

  • Breast implant – 307,000. A rise of 4%
  • Rhinoplasty (nose job) – 244,000. A reduction of 3%
  • Liposuction – 205,000. A rise of 1%

  • Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) – 196,000. A drop of 6%
  • Rhytidectomy (facelift) – 119,00. A rise of 5%

Facelifts replaced tummy tucks for fifth place last year; the first time that procedure was among the top five since 2004.

Chin augmentations, also known as “chin implants”, rose 71% to 21,000 procedures in 2011.

Lip enhancement, also known as “lip augmentation” increased by 49% to 25,000 procedures carried out last year.

Dr. Roth said:

“We are seeing notable increases in surgical procedures, such as facelifts, that reflect the demands of an aging boomer population. However, the overall growth in cosmetic procedures is being primarily driven by a substantial rise in minimally-invasive procedures.”

There were 12.2 million minimally-invasive procedures last year, a rise of 6%. Below are some details of the top five most popular in 2011:

  • Botulinum toxin type A – 5.7 million. A rise of 5%
  • Soft tissue filler – 1.9 million. A rise of 7%
  • Chemical peel – 1.1 million. A fall of 3%
  • Laser hair removal – 1.1 million. A rise of 15%
  • Microdermabrasion – 900,000. A rise of 9%

Among the increases that stood out in 2011 for minimally-invasive procedures were soft tissue fillers, such as calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®), fat injections, and hyaluronic acid (Restylane®, Juvederm Ultra®). Below are some details on totals for 2011, and how they compared to the previous year:

  • Hylauronic acid procedures – over 1.3 million. A rise of 9%
  • Calcium hydroxylapatite procedures – 286,000. A rise of 36%
  • Fat injections – 68,000. A rise of 19%

This type of surgery, which aims to improve the appearance of abnormal structures, as well as function, increased by 5% in 2011 compared to the previous year. Below are details on the top five reconstructive plastic surgery procedures:

  • Removing a tumor – 4.2 million. A rise of 3%
  • Laceration repair – 303,000. A drop of 15%

  • Maxillofacial surgery – 195,000. A rise of 125%
  • Scar revision – 175,000. A rise of 9%
  • Hand surgery – 120,000. A rise of 13%

There were 96,000 breast reconstruction procedures in 2011, a rise of 3% compared to the previous year.

Dr. Roth said:

“While insurance coverage for breast reconstruction is mandated by law, continued strides to provide coverage for other reconstructive procedures has contributed, in part, to the sizable gain that we are seeing with these procedures. Reconstructive surgery is a critical pillar of the specialty, and it is encouraging to see that increasing numbers of patients entrust board-certified plastic surgeons to reconstruct their bodies after disease or trauma.”

Written by Christian Nordqvist