New Trends Survey Shows Plastic Surgeons Eager for Future Advances to Meet Growing Consumer Demands
World’s Top Plastic Surgeons Gather in Chicago this Week for Plastic Surgery The Meeting

CHICAGO – As more than 3,000 plastic surgeons, trainees and other allied professionals convene later this week in Chicago for Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2018, the premier educational and networking event in plastic surgery, a new survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) shows that board-certified plastic surgeons are hungry for new techniques and advancements over the next 10 years to keep up with growing consumer demands for different procedures. Plastic Surgery The Meeting begins on September 28.

Year-over-year demands for plastic surgery continue to grow among consumers. In 2017, more than 17.5 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States. The ASPS recently surveyed its membership of board-certified plastic surgeons to get a pulse on the emerging industry and related consumer trends they were seeing in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Some key takeaways from the survey include:

• The Future is Skin Deep: Over the next 10 years, plastic surgeons want to see advancements in skin tightening, scar management, fat grafting and proper surgical training and certification become top priorities in the field.
• Most Popular Procedures: In the upcoming year, breast augmentation, tummy tucks and liposuction are expected to be the three most popular plastic surgery procedures requested.
• Botox Maintains Popularity: With regard to minimally invasive procedures, Botox still leads the way as the most anticipated request, followed by fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, non-invasive fat reduction and non-surgical skin tightening.
• Plastic Surgery Not for Everyone: While there are many factors that can motivate people to seek plastic surgery, more than 60 percent of plastic surgeons declined patients because they "clearly didn't need it," or "didn't think it would help them."

"As the interest in, and demand for, surgical and minimally-invasive procedures continue to grow, it's important that we continually advance the latest art and science of plastic surgery among our members," said Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, ASPS President-Elect. "At Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the world's top board-certified physicians will have the opportunity to review cutting-edge research and tested techniques that will enhance patient care, safety and outcomes for patients and the plastic surgery community at large."

Surgeon Perspectives on Consumer Trends

In addition to perspectives on industry advancements and procedures, plastic surgeons surveyed identified a number of new consumer trends and behaviors, including:

• It's All in the Family: More than a third of surgeons surveyed report seeing an increase in consultations among a parent and child (38 percent), couples (32 percent - married, living together, or are partners) and siblings (24 percent).
• More People are Owning their Plastic Surgery: Comfort with plastic surgery has become more accepted, as two-thirds of doctors (67 percent) say their patients are starting earlier and "owning it" where people reveal and openly discuss their plastic surgery with friends and family.
• The Natural Look is In: More than three quarters of surgeons surveyed agreed that their patients are seeking a "more natural" (78 percent) versus a "sculpted" look (15 percent).

The ASPS has provided generations of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons the continuing medical education and latest cutting-edge research to grow all aspects of their surgical careers and practices. There is truly no better time to be a plastic surgeon or patient seeking a procedure as advancement continues and techniques are perfected.

Survey Methodology

A total of 253 board-certified plastic surgeons completed an online survey during August 2018 on their perspectives on the present and future state of plastic surgery in America.