First of two parts

Q. What is the most common type of cosmetic surgery?

The most common type of cosmetic surgery is nose reshaping.

According to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons, here are the Top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures with the number of annual procedures. Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these statistics represent drop-offs from 2019 numbers.

Nose reshaping: 352,555

Rhinoplasty, or as it is commonly known, a “nose job,” is popular among all age groups. According to one study, about one third of patients contemplating a nose job could be suffering from a mental illness in which they can’t stop thinking about an imagined or minor flaw in their appearance.

Eyelid surgery: 325,112

Skin loses its natural elasticity as we age. However, some people have eyelid problems that are genetic. Eyelid reshaping, or blepharoplasty, is performed by plastic surgeons on the eyelids immediately above and below the eyes, and excess tissue underneath the eyes. In some cases, an eyelid lift is required to help improve a patient’s eyesight.

Facelift: 234,374

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck such as relaxation of facial skin that causes sagging, deepening of the fold lines between the nose and corner of the mouth, jowls developing in the cheeks and jaw and loose skin that appears as the so-called “turkey neck.”

Liposuction: 211,067

Some people can’t process fat, even with vigorous exercise and spartan diets. Liposuction is a potential solution, especially if they’re only slightly overweight and have good skin. During liposuction, fat cells are liquefied by injection or ultrasound and then removed. The removal of fat cells is permanent. However, it doesn’t prevent the addition of new fat cells.

Breast augmentation: 193,073

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two types of breast implants for sale in the United States: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled. Both have a silicone outer shell and vary in size, shell thickness and shape. In the procedure, the implants are placed beneath either the breast tissue or chest muscles.

ASPS statistics show that some procedures are consistently popular with certain age groups.

Nose reshaping is widespread among teenagers. The shape and structure of your nose changes the least during your lifetime. Youngsters undergo rhinoplasty to get a new start. The procedure is common around the time of high school graduation.

Breast augmentation is a popular procedure for those in their 20s when breasts are usually fully formed. The ASPS states that this is a time when image is very important to women, so they seek larger breasts in order to boost their self-confidence and balance the proportions of their new adult figures.

Liposuction is popular for men and women after they are in their 30s, when their metabolism slows and they see a change in the way their bodies deposit fat.

The results of aging begin to show in our 40s. Patients between the ages of 40-54 are likely to undergo an eyelid and-or eyebrow lifting surgery.

Next week: Cosmetic procedures

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