South Carolina Plastic Surgeon Discusses ASAPS Statistics
South Carolina Plastic Surgeon Discusses Breast Augmentation Statistics
More than 318,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2010, making it the most performed surgical cosmetic procedure. The latest study from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) also finds that 62% of patients chose silicone breast implants. Charleston plastic surgeon Dr. Ram Kalus says these statistics are also reflected in the procedures he performs at his practice. “Breast augmentation is definitely the most common single procedure I now perform in my practice. We tend to see two populations of women: young women in their early twenties prior to having children, and women in the mid to late thirties after one or more pregnancies who may also need a lift procedure to correct sagging.”
With more than 9.3 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2010, the latest study from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) finds that breast augmentation was the most popular surgical procedure. According to the same study, nearly 200,000 of the 318,000 breast augmentation procedure performed used silicone breast implants instead of saline implants. At his Charleston plastic surgery practice, Dr. Ram Kalus says his patients prefer silicone breast implants to saline at roughly the same rate. “I tell my patients that as a rule they can expect an equally pretty visual result if we use saline-filled or silicone-filled implants. The decision by the vast majority of my patients to opt for silicone over saline gets made when they hold each implant in their hands. The silicone implants simply feel more like a natural breast. The saline implant is a bit firmer and detectable to the hand.”
While speculation concerning the safety of silicone breast implants surfaced in the mid-90s, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed the safety and overall effectiveness of silicone implants after a 14-year period of extensive research. Dr. Kalus says in addition to addressing the safety concerns, the latest advancements in silicone gel also provide an improved aesthetic appearance and more natural feel. However, he adds that when performing breast augmentation in Charleston, each surgery is unique and requires an individualized approach to ensure the patient’s cosmetic enhancement expectations are met.
According to the same study from ASAPS, a majority of the U. S. population now approves of cosmetic enhancement. As popularity continues to grow, Dr. Kalus says he expects breast augmentation with silicone implants to remain one of the most popular forms of aesthetic enhancement. “I think there are a couple of reasons for the popularity of the procedure. First, after the FDA conclusion and announcement that silicone implants are entirely safe, women feel more confident and secure about seeking breast enhancement. Secondly, I try to achieve a very natural result which usually entails the use of smaller implant sizes than women are used to or expect.”
About Ram Kalus, MD, FACS
Dr. Ram Kalus earned his medical degree from Boston University. He then completed his plastic surgery residency and several plastic surgery fellowships, and was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1992. Dr. Kalus is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an active member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas is located at 578 Lone Tree Drive, Suite 102 Charleston, SC 29464, and can be reached at (843) 881-3881, or found online at plasticsurgerycarolina.com or facebook.com/plasticsurgerycarolina.
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