Between the increasing variety of procedures that are available and the growing cultural acceptance of plastic surgery, it’s not surprising that more people are choosing cosmetic surgery than ever before. While certain procedures have maintained their popularity for decades, other, newer procedures are rapidly growing in popularity. So, what are the most popular plastic surgery procedures of 2022? Dr. Ortiz, a Raleigh board-certified plastic surgeon, is sharing the latest trends.
Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures of 2022
While trends in plastic surgery are always changing, these five procedures continue to be widely sought after and make up the overwhelming majority of cosmetic procedures performed in the United States each year.
Breast Augmentation
With over 300,000 surgeries performed each year, breast augmentation is the most popular cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. There are many reasons why women choose to have this surgery, including reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy or correcting asymmetrical breasts, but the most common reason is to increase the size and volume of the breasts.
Breast augmentation is a highly customizable procedure with patients not only choosing the size they want for their implants, but they can also work with their plastic surgeon to determine whether silicone or saline is the best option as well as the placement of the implants. This customization allows women to achieve their goals for their body and is one of the reasons why breast augmentation has such a high satisfaction rate.
Liposuction
Liposuction is almost as common as breast augmentation with around 300,000 procedures performed annually. In this procedure, stubborn fat deposits are removed via a thin tube called a cannula. This procedure can be performed on several areas of the body, including:
- Abdomen and belly
- Buttocks
- Thighs
- Upper arms
- Back
- Hips
In addition to traditional liposuction, Lipo 360 is increasing in popularity. Instead of targeting a single area for removing fat, a plastic surgeon will remove fat around the circumference of the waist, including the upper and lower abdomen, sides, and back. The result is a more defined waistline and a smoother silhouette.
Rhinoplasty
While breast augmentation is the most common procedure, rhinoplasty, or a nose job, is the most common facial plastic surgery procedure, averaging around 225,000 surgeries annually. This surgical reshaping of the nose can reduce the size of a larger nose as well as reshape the tissue and bone, removing bumps, narrowing the nostrils, and reshaping the tip to be smaller or more attractive.
In addition to the aesthetic benefits of rhinoplasty, many people choose to have this procedure for health benefits. A nose job can be a helpful solution to fixing a broken nose, repairing a deviated septum, and helping patients breathe more easily, especially during sleep.
Blepharoplasty
Coming in just under rhinoplasty with 200,000 procedures each year is blepharoplasty, also called eyelid surgery. This procedure is often performed to correct or remove bags under the eye as well as remove excess skin and fat above the eyelid. This makes the eyes look larger and more open, and creates a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.
Brazilian Buttock Lift
In 2012, only 8,500 people in the United States got a Brazilian Buttock Lift (BBL). In less than 10 years, that number has dramatically increased, with nearly 50,000 BBLs performed in 2020. This procedure shows no sign of slowing down, either as celebrity and social media trends continue to highlight larger, firmer backsides.
A Brazilian butt lift is a fat transfer procedure. Fat cells from the belly, thighs, back, or hips are harvested via liposuction, and after being processed and cleaned, the cells are then injected into the buttocks. While the liposuction can result in a trimmer physique, the buttocks are rounder, firmer, and have more volume due to the added fat cells.
Tummy Tuck
With over 100,000 procedures performed annually, the tummy tuck is another body contouring procedure that continues to be widely sought after. During a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, excess skin is removed from the belly, and stretched or damaged muscles are repaired. The end result is a firmer, flatter midsection.
While this procedure is most commonly performed on women after having children, this is also becoming increasingly popular in patients who have experienced significant weight loss. This allows them to remove the sagging skin and damaged tissue and feel more confident after their weight loss journey.
Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgery Procedure
Rather than following trends or looking at the most common procedures, it’s important to focus on what you want to meet your goals. It’s important to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more about whether you’re a good candidate for certain procedures and what kind of results you can expect. By working with a plastic surgeon you can trust, you’re more likely to get the results you want and feel attractive and confident in your appearance.
