Leading Minimally-Invasive Procedures in America
Much have change since I started my clinical practice and enduring partnership with patients in cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, back in 2010. Technological advantages in the surgical process and new developments and improvements in devices and techniques have revolutionized the field of aesthetic procedures. Nowadays, risk for post-operative complications have been considerably minimized, as well as the downtime after surgery has been reduced. Without a doubt, there has never been more customized choices readily available for patients who desire to enhance their appearance. Nonetheless, there is a triad of aesthetic surgeries who managed to remain among the top five most popular cosmetic procedures in America in the last decade, namely, breast augmentation, liposuction and nose reshaping.
Breast augmentation continues to be the most favored and frequently performed aesthetic surgery and has been since 2006, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). In 2016, more than 290,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in the United States (1). Likewise, in Texas, breast enhancement surgery is the top cosmetic surgical procedure and has a long and successful track record in satisfying women who wish to enhance, regain or restore balance to their figures. Silicone implants, saline implants, and breast augmentation with fat transfer are the main choices I usually suggest my patients, depending on their medical history, body shape and aesthetic goals.
Breast augmentation with silicone implants performed by Dr. De La Cruz.
Breast augmentation surgeries are followed very closely by liposuction procedures in the ranking of well-liked cosmetic surgical interventions (with 235,237 procedures performed in 2016). Among the wide range of liposuction techniques available nowadays, I favor VASER liposuction for its remarkable advantages over traditional liposuction. VASER liposuction is an advanced body contouring procedure that selectively remove unwanted body fat. This method uses minimally-invasive ultrasound technology to emulsify fat while leaving all other important tissues intact, resulting in significant desirable effects with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Consequently, patients recover considerably quicker as they suffer reduced bleeding, bruising and swelling in the treated areas (2). The shorter recovery time needed for VASER liposuction makes it more convenient and appealing to my patients, who may return to their regular lives and activities 1-2 weeks after the surgery. Furthermore, VASER liposuction is clinically proven to cause 53% more skin retraction relative to traditional liposuction (3).
Lastly, nose reshaping holds third place in the ranking of most popular aesthetic surgeries, with a total of 223,018 procedures performed in 2016. Nose reshaping, also known as rhinoplasty, can reshape, reduce or augment a person’s nose to achieve facial harmony and boost self-confidence. It may be performed as a reconstructive procedure to correct a birth defect or an injury such as a broken nose. Many of my patients also opt for rhinoplasty surgery in view of functional reasons rather than solely cosmetic purposes. For instance, certain breathing problems can be effectively treated by combining nose reshaping with septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery.
References:
(1) “Plastic Surgery Statistics Report 2016”. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. www.plasticsurgery.org
(2) Garcia, O., Jr., Nathan N. 2008. “Comparative Analysis of Blood Loss in Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty and Third-Generation Internal Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty”. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 28(4): 430-435
(3) Lewis, Linda W. “Taking Shape”. MedEsthetics. www.aestheticdoctors.co.za