Disseminating Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Statistics Worldwide
As leaders in aesthetics, gathering data for our specialty and sharing these statistics with peers, colleagues, and those interested in furthering their education and knowledge in aesthetic plastic surgery is critical.
The ISAPS annual Global Survey portrays our specialty's latest trends and statistics. It provides information that is otherwise unavailable, and we are thankful to everyone who commits their time to this extensive project.
Our most recent Survey revealed that all face and head procedures showed notable growth from the previous year, with more than 6.5 million procedures and a 19.6% increase. The top procedures in 2023 were:
- eyelid, with more than 1.7 million and a 24% increase.
- rhinoplasty, with 1.1 million procedures and a 21.6% increase; and
- lip enhancement/perioral procedures, with 0.9 million, a 29% increase.
Information like this enables us to make better-informed decisions related to our specialty and to progress the advancement of aesthetics. Having launched the Global Survey on Aesthetic procedures performed in 2024, we are excited to learn from ISAPS Global Survey Committee Chair Dr. Amin Kalaaji, MD, PhD about the relevance of the data collected and its influence.
ISAPS: Why is this study significant, and why was it important to you to take on the Global Survey Committee Chair role?
KALAAJI: Thank you for having me. The Global Survey is extremely important for ISAPS. It reflects the trends in aesthetic surgery and provides invaluable data for every aesthetic surgeon. It helps us understand the evolving landscape of our field, including procedure types, patient demographics, and complication rates. This data allows us to refine our practices, plan for the future, and potentially increase our profitability.
When I was invited to chair the Global Survey Committee, I was thrilled! I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to enhance the survey, increase participation from more countries, and generate more reliable results. This international survey is a crucial resource for ISAPS, referenced in articles, presentations, and even by health authorities. I believe there is significant potential to improve both the quantity and quality of the data. Accepting this role from our President, Dr. Arturo Ramírez-Montañana, was, therefore, an easy decision.
Furthermore, this role offered me both responsibility and independence. I had the autonomy from Dr. Arturo Ramírez-Montañana to plan the steps for the Global Survey, beginning with the establishment of a Global Survey Committee representing all five continents. This was crucial, as the Global Survey is a massive undertaking. This Committee, formed over the past four to five months, has been instrumental in developing a revised survey that better reflects the needs and desires of our colleagues. We have also improved communication, increased engagement from more countries, and added Chinese and Japanese translations.
ISAPS: What would you say to encourage people to participate? Why is their response so critical?
KALAAJI: This is a very important question. I would tell my colleagues that while the survey is vital for ISAPS for the reasons I mentioned earlier, it is even more important for them as individual practitioners. Regardless of their practice setting, private practice, hospital, clinic, or research, participating in the survey offers significant personal benefits.
I have personally participated in this survey for over 20 years, even before I became involved with ISAPS. Why? Because I learn so much about my own practice. I track my procedure volumes, identifying trends and areas for improvement. For example, if I notice a significant decrease in rhinoplasty procedures, I can analyze the reasons and adjust my marketing strategies accordingly, e.g., Google Ads, new instruments, and specialized training.
By analyzing the complications data, I can learn to avoid potential pitfalls and prioritize patient safety. Ultimately, this data helps me improve patient satisfaction and potentially increase my revenue.
While ISAPS benefits from the collective data, the primary beneficiaries are the individual surgeons who actively participate. Moreover, countries with sufficient participation can establish national registries, providing valuable data for their local surgical communities and even health authorities.
ISAPS: What trends do you anticipate from the survey results based on what you have learned at your practice over the past year?
KALAAJI: I anticipate a significant increase in participation, both in terms of the number of respondents and the number of countries involved. We have adjusted the participation threshold to include more countries, ensuring a more comprehensive global perspective.
Key trends I foresee include:
- Increased breast implant removal and subsequent fat grafting (conversion) and hybrid breast augmentation.
- Growing demand for body contouring procedures.
- Rising interest in intimate external genital surgery–as it is well defined in the new questionnaire.
- Continued growth in eyelid blepharoplasty, particularly Asian eye correction, for the first time included in the survey.
- Adding dimple creation and inverted nipple correction for the first time.
- Data on “mommy makeovers” and combined procedures–not previously collected.
- Valuable insights into complication rates.
ISAPS: What session topics are on the top of your list for the ISAPS Olympiad World Congress in Singapore? What is on your list of leisure activities?
KALAAJI: I am particularly interested in sessions on breast and body contouring in addition to intimate genital surgery. I will be presenting as a speaker on breast conversion and hybrid techniques at the Pre-Congress symposium, Intra-op with the Masters. This is in addition to the Global Survey Press Release and the session on the Global Survey results.
Regarding leisure activities in Singapore, I look forward to exploring the city on foot, enjoying the delicious, high-quality street food, and visiting iconic landmarks like the Marina Bay Sands. Singapore is a relatively compact city, making it easy to explore in a short time.
To learn more about the Global Survey, watch last month’s Instagram Live
and read the Global Trends section in the last ISAPS News issue.