According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 11.7 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. last year, costing Americans $13.2 billion. More than 90 percent of all procedures are done on women.

Nonsurgical procedures account for 82 percent of all cosmetic procedures. The most common nonsurgical procedures include: BOTOX® injections (2.75 million procedures), hyaluronic acid injections (a type of filler, 1.4 million procedures), laser hair removal (1.4 million procedures), microdermabrasion (829,600 procedures) and IPL laser treatment (intense pulsed light for skin rejuvenation, nearly 648,000 procedures). The five most common surgical cosmetic procedures are liposuction (456, 800 procedures), breast augmentation (399,000 procedures), eyelid surgery (240, 760 procedures), abdominoplasty (185,300 procedures) and breast reduction (153,000 procedures).

Getting the Expected Results

Cosmetic procedures are much more acceptable today than many years ago. In a recent survey from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 69 percent of Americans reported they approved of cosmetic surgery. A study published last year found 48 percent of women and 3 percent of men said they were interested in having cosmetic surgery.

Plastic surgery experts say patients who are considering cosmetic surgery should seek advice from a board certified physician with considerable experience in the procedures being considered. Yet, with even the most skilled hands, the results may not be as anticipated. Some patient's views of cosmetic surgery may be skewed by results they see in popular magazines or plastic surgery television reality shows.

Simon Ourian, M.D., Cosmetic Surgeon, says it can sometimes be difficult to show what results patients may expect from cosmetic procedures. In the past, he used to use digital photos and photo editing to allow patients to "see" what they may look like after a procedure. But the photos can't show the new look from different angles or with changing facial dynamics (like a smile, laugh or frown).

Ourian now uses injections of saline to allow patients to "preview" expected results of cosmetic procedures. The saline can be used to fill in depressions or add volume to different areas of the face, mimicking the effects of injectable fillers or laser resurfacing. The saline lasts up to a day. That's usually enough time to allow patients to take a critical look at the anticipated results or show off the new looks to a spouse or friend. If a patient likes the result, the real procedure(s) can be scheduled a few days later.

In addition to having patients see the end result, the saline "rehearsal" allows them to experience the "feel" of an injection, so they are less anxious if choosing injectable fillers. Ourian says saline injections are safe because the solution is easily absorbed into the body. The only side effects may be temporary swelling and bruising.

For general information on cosmetic procedures:

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic Surgeons