Breast Surgery Surpasses Rhinoplasty as Most Popular Cosmetic Procedure
For the first time, breast enhancement surgery has surpassed rhinoplasty as the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, according to American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Nearly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery operations were performed in the United States in 2006, up by 7 percent from 2005, the group said.
It also said more than 5.2 million reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed last year, mostly removal of tumors.
The most popular cosmetic choice was breast augmentation, with 329,000 reported in 2006. This is the first time "breast jobs" have passed nose reshaping surgery, performed on 307,000 people in 2006.
The group reported an 8 percent rise in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as injections to fill out wrinkles, with more than 9 million such operations. Botox treatments were by far the most common, with more than 4 million treatments in 2006.
We're not sure exactly what to make of these new statistics. It makes sense that the less invasive procedures such as Botox treatments are increasing in frequency. But why have boob jobs surpassed nose jobs in popularity? Are large breasts now de rigeur, while the range of acceptable nose shapes/sizes has broadened, thereby lessening the need for so many nose jobs? What does it all mean, from a sociological standpoint? These are the things we ponder over a good glass of Chardonnay.
