Body contouring procedures include breast (76,000), buttock (3,500), lower body (9,000), thigh (8,000) and upper arm lifts (10,000). There were 43 times more lower body lifts and 30 times more upper arm lifts in 2004 versus 2000. Plastic surgeons are treating increasing numbers of patients with dramatic weight loss, and surgeons are applying these newly developed massive weight loss contouring techniques to other patients interested in improving their body shape.
"There has been an explosion in the demand for body contouring surgery, and I think this can be explained by the rapidly increasing numbers of patients who have dramatic weight loss," said Scott Spear, MD, ASPS president. "At the same time, this new group of patients has served as a catalyst for surgeons to create surgical techniques that can now be transferred to other patients where there are only average needs from mild weight loss, pregnancy, or aging."
Although the trend for many cosmetic patients is to turn to less invasive options for facial procedures, plastic surgeons are seeing patients choose invasive procedures when dealing with lower body contouring. Rather than liposuction to contour the lower body, patients are turning to procedures like thigh lifts, up 45 percent in 2004 versus 2003, and lower body lifts, up 72 percent in 2004 versus 2003.
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Contact: Brian Hugins
8472289900
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
16-Mar-2005