Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery encompasses both aestetic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Aestetic cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient's appearance and self-esteem.

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body, caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve functions, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.

Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.

In 2006, nearly 11 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in the United States alone. The number of cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States has increased over 50 percent since the start of the century. Nearly 12 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2007, with the five most common being breast augmentation, liposuction, nasal surgery, eyelid surgery and abdominoplasty.

The increased use of cosmetic surgery crosses racial and ethnic lines in the U.S., with increases seen among African-Americans and Hispanic Americans as well as Caucasian Americans.

In Europe, the second largest market for cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery is a $2.2 billion business.

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