A March 2009 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal analyzed some of the most popular trends in breast augmentation today. Researchers electronically surveyed plastic surgeons from all over the U.S. to learn what type of breast surgeries are most popular and get some of the details on how those operations are being carried out.
A good amount of the data pertained to surgeries performed in the South and Southwest, as the majority (40 percent) of the respondents were located there. Also, keep in mind that the data only represents a fraction of the surgeons out there – those that belong to the ASAPS.
How many breast augmentation procedures do you perform each year?
About half of the respondents said they perform over 50 breast augmentations each year. Almost all of the rest (37 percent) said they perform 20 – 50 each year.
How much time does a breast augmentation require?
80 percent of respondents said that operation time was between 45 and 90 minutes long.
What is the most common breast implant placement location?
63 percent of the implants are placed in a sub-muscular position. The decision to utilize this type of placement was based on appearance first (44 percent) and minimizing capsular contracture second (27 percent).
What’s the most common breast implant size?
81 percent of the respondents in the study reported an average size between 300 and 400 cc.
What’s the most common breast implant type?
Saline breast implants remain the most popular choice, despite a growing acceptance of silicone gel. 65 percent of the surgeons said they use saline in three quarters of the surgeries performed. 23 percent said they use them all of the time.
What is the most common breast augmentation incision site?
The breast crease, i.e. inframmary fold is the most common (64 percent) breast augmentation incision site, with the areola being the second most common.
