homehome Home chatchat Notifications


The US alone spends $16 billion on plastic surgery -- we're dealing with 300,000 breast implants a year

You probably don't need that breast implant but if you want it... make sure you work with a certified doctor.

Mihai Andrei
April 12, 2017 @ 2:08 pm

share Share

The obsession of the rich and famous with plastic surgery is growing more and more every year. In 2016 alone, 300,000 Americans underwent breast augmentation, while no less than 7 million people opted for anti-wrinkle injections. But how much exactly does the world spend on the vanity of looks?

Image via Vimeo.

According to a report published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Americans spent more than ever before — $16 billion — on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally-invasive procedures in 2016. That means that on average, every day, Americans spend a whopping $43 million on plastic surgery.

Costs vary greatly depending on location and surgeon experience, as well as potential insurance coverage (spoiler alert — in the US, you’re rarely covered for this type of intervention). This has pushed many patients to opt for shady, often unqualified clinics, something which ASPS strongly warns against. Plastic surgery can backfire heavily and can pose serious health hazards.

“The most important consideration for patients should be choosing a board-certified, ASPS-member surgeon,” said ASPS President Debra Johnson, MD. “Before you undergo any procedure, make sure you’re putting yourself in the hands of only the most qualified and highly trained plastic surgeons. The cost of any procedure is not nearly as important as doing your homework and selecting a surgeon whose primary focus is your safety.”

The report also indicates that the average price of procedures is constantly going down, by 2.7 percent from 2015 to 2016. But how much does a surgery cost?

According to the report, these are the most popular cosmetic surgeries, along with their average price:

  • Breast augmentation (290,467 procedures): national average cost of $3,719. Just over 28,000 people removed breast implants. Another 101,000 people had breast lift surgery.
  • Liposuction (235,237 procedures): national average cost of $3,200
  • Nose reshaping (223,018 procedures): national average cost of $5,046
  • Tummy tuck (127,633 procedures): national average cost of $5,798
  • Buttock augmentation (18,489 procedures) national average cost of $4,356

You can read the entire statistics here.

The report also made a similar list for minimally invasive procedures:

  • Wrinkle treatment injections (botulinum toxin type-A, such as Botox®, Dysport®) (7 million procedures): national average cost of $385
  • Hyaluronic acid fillers (2 million procedures): national average cost of $644
  • Chemical peel (1.3 million procedures): national average cost of $673
  • Microdermabrasion (775,014 procedures): national average cost of $138
  • Laser treatments (Intense Pulsed Light) (656,781 procedures): national average cost of $433

This data only comes from procedures conducted by certified ASPS doctors as well as other physicians certified by
American Board of Medical Specialties — the real figure considering unrecognized boards is likely much higher.

share Share

More Than Half of Intersection Crashes Involve Left Turns. Is It Time To Finally Ban Them?

Even though research supports the change, most cities have been slow to ban left turns at even the most congested intersections.

A London Dentist Just Cracked a Geometric Code in Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man

A hidden triangle in the vitruvian man could finally explain one of da Vinci's greatest works.

The Story Behind This Female Pharaoh's Broken Statues Is Way Weirder Than We Thought

New study reveals the ancient Egyptian's odd way of retiring a pharaoh.

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet 'Sea Monster' That's Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

The Soviet Union's wildest aircraft just got a second life in China.

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

The spacecraft crashed into the Pacific Ocean after a parachute failure, ending a bold experiment in space biology and memorial spaceflight.

Ancient ‘Zombie’ Fungus Trapped in Amber Shows Mind Control Began in the Age of the Dinosaurs

The zombie fungus from the age of the dinosaurs.

Your browser lets websites track you even without cookies

Most users don't even know this type of surveillance exists.

Ozempic Users Are Seeing a Surprising Drop in Alcohol and Drug Cravings

Diabetes drugs show surprising promise in reducing alcohol and opioid use

What's Seasonal Body Image Dissatisfaction and How Not to Fall into Its Trap

This season doesn’t have to be about comparison or self-criticism.

Why a 20-Minute Nap Could Be Key to Unlocking 'Eureka!' Moments Like Salvador Dalí

A 20-minute nap can boost your chances of a creative breakthrough, according to new research.