How Popular Is Liposuction?

Liposuction has been one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for many years, performed daily across the country from New York to Hollywood. However, in 2008 and 2009 liposuction was bumped from the top spot on the cosmetic surgery list to the second most popular spot for the majority of people. The popularity is affected by gender however.

Since the 1990s until about 2008 liposuction remained the most popular cosmetic surgery, however it finally gave up its spot to breast augmentation. As you might imagine, liposuction is still the most popular cosmetic surgery for men, but for women it has been replaced by breast augmentation. This may reflect the changes in style and fashion trends near the end of the decade.

While fashions and styles are constantly changing, there has been a push for women to be thin for centuries. Corsets were often used hundreds of years ago to make women look thinner. The process of wearing a corset laced tight everyday would also permanently reduce a woman's waistline (it could also permanently damage the rib cage as it was not uncommon to break or crack a rib in the tight lacing process). This trend has continued, and the popularity of lypoplasty has remained high as a result.

The trend still seems to be for women to be thin, but is seems another emphasis has been added to the ideal shape of a woman. While in the 1920s and the 1960s it was fashionable for women to be thin, including a small bust, it seems that in the 2000s the trend has focused more on looking thin, but having an ample chest. This may have to do with fashion as well, as there has been a rise in tops that can easily show off the chest area.

The popularity of procedures is also affected by age groups. If it is broken down by age liposuction is still the most popular procedure for those who are between 35 and 50. However, the age range between 19 and 34 have more cosmetic surgeries and breast augmentation is the number one in this category.

The finding might also show that women are more willing to spend money on something they can't possibly achieve without surgery and opt out of liposuction in favor of a more rigorous diet and exercise program. However, many cosmetic procedures have become increasingly popular. In 2008 Americans spent 12 billion dollars on cosmetic procedures. More than half of that money was spent on surgical cosmetic procedures, while the rest was spent on non surgical procedures like Botox injections and laser hair removal.