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San Diego Cosmetic Surgery - Most Common Procedures
What types of cosmetic surgery are most popular in the San Diego area? How do they work and what do they cost? These are the things we will explore in this edition of Real San Diego…
Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in the United States. It is even more popular in San Diego and other areas of Southern California, where the demand is typically higher.
There are several reasons for this growth. But the point of this article is not to pass judgment for or against San Diego cosmetic surgery procedures. Instead, I will list the three most popular cosmetic procedures, explain how they work, and offer some approximation of the cost.
So here they are in no particular order, the most common cosmetic surgery options in San Diego and across the U.S.
Breast Augmentation
The Process — Most people know it as the “boob job.” This type of San Diego cosmetic surgery uses synthetic (man-made) implants to enlarge a woman’s breast size. There are currently two kinds of implants available in San Diego — silicon and saline. Silicon implants are said to feel more natural, like the real thing. Saline implants have the benefit of being the safer options. As with most things in cosmetic surgery, there are pros and cons of each option.
The Popularity — According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately 212,000 breast augment surgeries were performed in 2000. These are nationwide across the U.S., not just in San Diego. In 2007, there were more than 347,000 of these surgeries performed. So the “boob job” is not only one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery, but is also one of the fastest growing procedures.
The Cost – As with most plastic surgery procedures, the cost of a breast augmentation will vary based on several factors. The geographical location, the level of consumer demand, and the surgeon’s experience all play a role. After doing some price sampling from a dozen or so websites, I found that the cost ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. That includes all fees associated with the procedure, such as the cost of the implants, anesthesia, surgeon’s fee, etc. You can expect to pay more than the national average in the San Diego area, just because the demand is higher.
Rhinoplasty
The Process – Commonly known as the nose job, this procedure involves a reshaping of the nose for cosmetic purposes. First, the surgeon makes a small incision below the nose that also extends into the nostrils. The surgeon uses this as an entry point through which he or she will insert tools used to reshape certain areas of cartilage within the nose. I know … it makes my nose hurt just thinking about it too.
The Popularity — Rhinoplasty is another popular form of cosmetic surgery in San Diego and across the United States. According to data provided by the ASPS, nearly 285,000 nose jobs were performed in 2007 (nationwide).
The Cost – Here again, the cost of this procedure will vary based on different factors. Based on my research, the average cost of rhinoplasty was around $6,000, but could run as high as $12,000 in places with higher demand (think Beverly Hills and Los Angeles).
For a related article, see this blog post on face lift procedures.
Liposuction
The Process – Most people are more familiar with this type of cosmetic surgery than any other, because you often see this one performed on TLC and other educational TV channels. To perform liposuction, the surgeon uses a long and thin suction device to remove unwanted fat from the hips, thighs and abdomen area. After the initial incision, the doctor will use a stainless steel tube to break up and remove fatty tissue. This is the “push and pull” technique you may have seen on television.
The Popularity — This surgery technique is actually unique in that the numbers have dropped over the years. Even so, it’s still one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery in San Diego and elsewhere in the U.S. In 2007, more than 301,000 liposuction surgeries were performed in this country.
The Cost – There are several different types of liposuction available (and probably even more by the time I finish this article). It can also be performed on various parts of the body. For these reasons, the cost varies quite a bit. Lipo on the abdominal area, for example, can range from $4,000 upward to $8,000.
Cosmetic Surgery Disclaimer
You new this was coming! The purpose of this article is not meant to trivialize or glamorize San Diego cosmetic surgery procedures, but only to explain the most popular procedures currently in use. All of the procedures listed above have potential risks and complications associated with them. So you need to do plenty of research before making any final decisions about them. Always seek the advice of a medical professional.
* Source used for statistical data: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, data compiled between 2000 and 2007.
Brandon Cornett is the publisher of My Outer Self, a website offering unbiased information on all types of plastic surgery. Learn more by visiting the author’s informative blog at http://www.myouterself.com/blog