Breast Surgery: The Numbers

Breast Augmentation

There’s been a bit of controversy surrounding breast augmentation requests in the U.S. for 2008. Yet, despite the recession and some claims that breast implant sales in the U.S. are down, there have been reports that plastic surgeons are remaining busy throughout many areas in the country. In addition, Allergan and Mentor reported that worldwide breast implant sales were up by 11% to over 12% from last quarter. Combined revenues for both companies totaled close to 200 million dollars. In the past five years, close to 2 million women underwent the breast augmentation procedure and the number has remained in the 300,000 plus range.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction numbers appear to have remained consistent over the past five years in the 100,000 range with a burst of close to an additional half of the total procedures performed in most recent years. The partial reason suspected for this is that many insurance companies have recognized breast reduction as a functional need for improvement in daily living skills, pain and medical conditions associated with enlarged breasts. In addition, breast reduction techniques have improved and many patients can benefit from reduced scarring that was not otherwise available.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction procedures have remained at the 55,000 plus mark over recent years. Breast reconstruction has also undergone a bit of transformation with improved methods and more study results in to demonstrate strength in the outcomes from immediate and after a waiting period breast reconstruction surgery.
The final outcome for 2008 will not be uncovered until 2009. Yet, we can be certain that close to 3 million women have undergone breast surgery in the past five years.

Have you or someone you know been considering a breast augmentation? If so, please contact a board certified surgeon to be better informed of your options.