Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Well, I guess it really isn't breaking news. But still. In the midst of the collapse of the American Century (brought to you by the feckless, unserious Obama administration) I thought I'd throw in some stats that are not specifically related to our current decline, but somehow feel appropriate.
Last year, according to this chart in the always interesting ChartsBin, there were almost 300,000 breast augmentations performed by plastic surgeons. (It's unclear from the chart if that's a per-breast figure, or whether it represents the pair.)
Nose jobs were next. But then it gets interesting: eyelids are next, followed by liposuction, and then a steep decline to the next two, tummy tucks and facelifts.
I'm not sure what to make of all of this, but what I'm taking away from it is that in these troubled economic times, people are focusing on the fundamentals. Get the most important stuff done first, then do some of the cheaper, more cost-effective alterations done, and only then, if there's any money left over, go for the more sophisticated stuff.
It also suggests that elective surgery is a very big business, and probably about to get bigger, because it's the only totally for-private, uninsured part of our health care system.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
It's called decadence, dude.
Jun '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Interestingly, augmentation reversal comes in even below ear surgery-- yet is still more popular than breast reduction surgery for males. Amidst all of the bad news of the day I found this post of yours somewhat uplifting, Rob. Thanks!
Jan '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
We're just doomed. Doomed, doomed, doomed, doomed, doomed.
Dec '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
What it also suggests, to me, is that more plastic surgery is being done on younger people. That concerns me.
Vanty amongst the fading elderly, spending some loose change, is vastly surpassed by vanity of a more desparate variety amongst a more youthfull cohort, scrambling for attention. They are using money they probably cannot afford to part with in exchange for an anticipated benefit. This goes beyond sad vanity and suggests desperation.
Dec '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Uplifting!! Get it?
Jul '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
It refers to the pair Rob. The redesigning of mammalian protuberances is described as a single surgery.
Frances McDormand's character in "Burn After Reading" was just great and she wanted all of these procedures done to her.
Apr '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
It's also interesting to note that the cost of elective surgery has gone down dramatically, dare I say because of the operation of a free, open and competitive market for the services.
May '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
I guess the movie "The Grauate" was right. The future is in plastics. In the future we will all look like perfectly molded mannequins with all our features perfectly proportioned.
Jun '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Great post as always. Thanks Rob for keeping us abreast of the situation.
Dec '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Hooray! Giant fake boobies for all!
Lighten up guys, it could always be worse.
After all, one of those longish bars could have been labeled "Penile Augmentation".
Actually, I'm a little surprised that didn't make the list.
I guess they've got pills for that now though . . .
May '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Eyelid surgery is for East Asians. Let's celebrate diversity! Oh! Wait. I forgot. East Asians are no longer a minority group any more. Too successful. Nothing to celebrate. Sorry.
Nov '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Is this an example of the boom-in-bust cycle?
Oct '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
What's those doctors' theme song?
Tanks For The Mammaries
All seriousness aside, I've never understood why so many people (and women especially) have such a problem with boob jobs. Do we really think that's the real color of women's lips, or cheeks, or eyelids, and do we really think their eyelashes are that long, and what's with those impractical heels?? Boob jobs are just one more way women try to look more appealing (whether to themselves or to others).
When women who complain (and there are many) about others' boob jobs stop wearing makeup and stop wearing high heels, and when guys who frown upon boob jobs insist that they prefer their women makeup-free and in flats, then I'm all ears. But until then, I'm all eyes.
Edited on July 26, 2011 at 2:57pmMay '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
I'm struggling manfully to find a way here to work in the old punchline about how the average person has one breast and one testicle.
Nov '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
dittoheadadt:
All seriousness aside, I've never understood why so many people (and women especially) have such a problem with boob jobs. Do we really think that's the real color of women's lips, or cheeks, or eyelids, and do we really think their eyelashes are that long, and what's with those impractical heels?? Boob jobs are just one more way women try to look more appealing (whether to themselves or to others).
When women who complain (and there are many) about others' boob jobs stop wearing makeup and stop wearing high heels, and when guys who frown upon boob jobs insist that they prefer their women makeup-free and in flats, then I'm all ears. But until then, I'm all eyes.
There is a difference between applying something temporary to the outside and permanently modifying a part of the body (even piercings can heal).
And, speaking from the male side, there can be too much of a good thing. Just as too much root beer can make one sick, so too in this area.
Oct '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
TheRoyalFamily
dittoheadadt:
All seriousness aside, I've never understood why so many people (and women especially) have such a problem with boob jobs. Do we really think that's the real color of women's lips, or cheeks, or eyelids, and do we really think their eyelashes are that long, and what's with those impractical heels?? Boob jobs are just one more way women try to look more appealing (whether to themselves or to others).
When women who complain (and there are many) about others' boob jobs stop wearing makeup and stop wearing high heels, and when guys who frown upon boob jobs insist that they prefer their women makeup-free and in flats, then I'm all ears. But until then, I'm all eyes.
There is a difference between applying something temporary to the outside and permanently modifying a part of the body (even piercings can heal).
And, speaking from the male side, there can be too much of a good thing. · Jul 26 at 8:32am
Oh I agree, moderation is key. Some can go overboard with boob jobs. But at least they won't drown.
Oct '10
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
TheRoyalFamily
There is a difference between applying something temporary to the outside and permanently modifying a part of the body (even piercings can heal).
· Jul 26 at 8:32am
I think that's a distinction without a difference. Women use various methods to look more appealing or attractive. While makeup applied to the outside may be "temporary" because it can be removed easily, most women who use makeup use it every day, or nearly so. How "temporary" in substantive terms is it when it's removed at night and restored in the morning, every morning?
In this way a boob job is more convenient than makeup, makes more sense - insert once and check back in 10 years. And it may even be less expensive over 10 years. In any case, the intent is the same whether it's makeup or heels or hair or boobs. Not sure why the last one is the only one that provokes consternation.
May '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
My next door neighbor was unhappy with the results of her boob job because she thought they remained too small. I pointed out to her it was because her surgeon was a Vietnamese immigrant who had different standards.
May '11
Re: Breaking: Breast Augmentations More Popular Than Tummy Tucks, Facelifts Combined
Another story about plastic surgery. This one violates HIPPA laws but hopefully the statute of limitations have passed. I had a friend who was a plastic surgeon in Memphis and one night many years ago he was called by the ER to sew up a laceration on a celebrity he was not familiar with. My friend asked if the patient had insurance and the ER doc said he was Sammy Haggar from Van Halen. My friend said,"I don't care where he's from, he better have insurance." He thought there was a town called Van Halen, Mississippi.