Plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular year in year out. In 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that there were more than 2.13 million cosmetic surgical and over 13 million minimally invasive procedures performed in the United States alone. Techniques have improved dramatically and patients have more plastic surgery procedures to choose from. If you are planning to undergo plastic surgery to address a specific aesthetic issue, this article looks at the most common options.

1. Nose reshaping

Nose reshaping is also referred to as rhinoplasty. It was the most common cosmetic surgery in 2020, with more than 352,000 of these treatments administered in the US alone. Plastic surgeons perform this treatment to reshape the shape and structure of the nose for functional or aesthetic reasons. More patients are willing to have a rhinoplasty than any other cosmetic surgery (at least if 2020 statistics are anything to go by). One good thing is that rhinoplasty has a very high satisfaction rate of 90%, according to RealSelf.

2. Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery is also referred to as blepharoplasty. It is a common treatment that is designed to improve vision or aesthetic appearance in patients whose eyelids are drooping. During this treatment, plastic surgeons work to remove fat pads under upper or lower eyelids that give the impression of ‘bags’. Patients take about 10 – 14 days to recover from this treatment, but swelling in the treatment area can last much longer. In 2020, there were more than 325,000 of these procedures completed in the US.

3. Facelift

Facelift, also referred to as rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery that aims to improve signs of aging on areas of the face and neck. Plastic surgeons target jowls in cheeks and jaw, fat that has disappeared, deep fold lines around the corners of the mouth, loose skin and excess fat in the neck. The goal of this treatment is to restore youthful contours and reverse signs of aging resulting from gravity, smoking, heredity, stress, and aging. More than 234,000 facelifts were completed in the United States in 2020.

4. Liposuction

This is a common body contouring procedure that is used to remove stubborn pockets of fat from different parts of the body in order to achieve a slimmer and better-shaped silhouette. Plastic surgeons create tiny incisions (about 5 mm long) and use a special device known as a canula to suction fat from the problem areas. One of the best things about liposuction is that it can be used with great flexibility on different parts of the body and results in minimal scarring. Over 211,000 liposuction procedures were completed in 2020.

5. Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation refers to the surgical enlargement of a woman’s breasts. This treatment is designed to help women who have naturally small breasts improve size and volume. Plastic surgeons use artificial breast implants to achieve a size increase. In some cases, natural fat tissue donated from the patient’s own body may also be used to complete the enlargement. Most patients who undergo this procedure are able to return to work within 2-3 weeks. Breast augmentation has one of the highest satisfaction rates among cosmetic surgeries, which perhaps explains why it is so popular. In 2020, more than 193,000 breast augmentations were completed in the US.

6. Neck lift

A neck lift is a cosmetic surgery that aims to remove excess skin and fat from the jaw line and neck area in order to create a well-defined neck appearance. Many patients choose to have this procedure in order to alleviate signs of aging in the lower face area. Plastic surgeons may use a combination of liposuction and surgical skin tightening to achieve this treatment. In 2020, more than 160,000 neck lifts were completed in the country.

7. Cheek implants

This is a procedure that is performed in order to add volume to a patient’s cheeks. This helps alleviate the appearance of sunken cheeks and reverse some of the effects of age-related sagging. While non-surgical options such as dermal fillers may be used to achieve this treatment, many patients choose to go for cheek implants because they are a more permanent option. More than 108,000 individuals received cheek implants in 2020 alone.

8. Abdominoplasty

Also referred to as tummy tuck, this is a cosmetic procedure that aims to improve abdominal contouring. Plastic surgeons remove excess fat and skin from the patient’s abdominal region while also tightening separated belly muscles. Patients can choose from three different types of tummy tuck: mini tummy tuck, standard tummy tuck, and circumferential tummy tuck. The selected procedure will be determined by the specific goals of the treatment. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within 2 – 3 weeks following a tummy tuck. More than 97,000 abdominoplasties were completed in 2020.