Are Women Still Getting Breast Augmentation? Let’s Look at the Numbers
According to the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank, Americans spent over $1 billion on breast augmentation in 2020. Breast augmentation is an elective surgery used to change the size and shape of breasts. This operation involves placing saline or silicone implants below or on top of the pectoral muscles. Breast augmentation always charts as one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures each year.
Dr. Michael A. Devlin combines cutting-edge technology, experience, and personalized patient care at his center serving the Little Rock, Conway, and Hot Springs, AR, area. Below, we consider breast augmentation numbers from the last unprecedented year, and what trends we noticed.
A Dip in Popularity?
A total of 212,500 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2000, and 287,085 procedures were performed in 2019. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), breast augmentation numbers dipped for the first time in 20 years.
The Impact of COVID-19
Last year, there were 193,073 breast augmentation surgeries in America. This 9 percent decrease over two decades is believed to be caused by the coronavirus pandemic rather than a lack of popularity.
The ASPS noted that board-certified plastic surgeons affiliated with the organization stopped performing elective surgery procedures for an average of 8.1 weeks in 2020. That’s a significant two-month chunk of the year, and the breast augmentation numbers directly reflect a reduction in voluntary surgeries performed during lockdowns and quarantine.
An Expected Upswing?
Despite a decline of elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the popularity of breast augmentation surgery and other cosmetic procedures is expected to rebound. According to the previously cited ASPS report, 11 percent of women expressed that they are more interested in improving their looks through plastic surgery or non-surgical methods.
That ASPS report also found that there could be a rebound in 2021 or 2022 with women who’ve previously undergone cosmetic treatments. Around 24 percent of women who previously underwent a cosmetic procedure are more interested in having another cosmetic procedure performed in the future.
A Return to Pre-COVID Popularity, But When?
A potential return to pre-COVID elective surgery numbers can vary based on a number of factors, including vaccination rate and the emergence of COVID variants. It will be interesting to see what 2021’s plastic surgery statistics look like when they’re finally tallied. We will eventually have a better understanding of the pandemic’s ongoing impact on life as we know it.
Breast Augmentation Satisfaction Rate
Many women are interested in breast augmentation surgery to increase their confidence within themselves. According to a 2013 study by the ASPS, an astounding 92 percent of women indicated improved self-esteem after breast augmentation surgery. Over half (64 percent) of these women declared that their breast augmentation led to an improved quality of life.
Before their breast augmentation surgery, 86 percent of study respondents stated that they felt self-conscious about the appearance of their breasts. After breast augmentation surgery, this percentage of self-consciousness dropped dramatically to only 13 percent.
Discuss Breast Augmentation Options with Dr. Devlin Now
These numbers we’ve shared speak to the difference that a breast augmentation can make in people’s lives. To learn more about breast augmentation surgery, contact our practice online or call us at (501) 227-8811.
