Statistics show a trend toward smaller, more natural breasts, and experts have a lot to say about it.
18%: the percentage decrease in breast augmentations between 2021 and 2022
(PROCEDURE STATISTICS COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY NATIONAL DATA BANK 2022 STATISTICS)
Tucson, AZ plastic surgeon Raman Mahabir, MD says the biggest trend in breast surgery right now is more natural-looking breasts. “People no longer want to look augmented. We can now have better conversations with patients about choosing implants that fit their bodies well.” Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD agrees that patients are choosing more realistic size options.
“It’s hard to know exactly what has changed, but it’s likely the growing trend toward ‘healthy lifestyles’ and ‘natural results,'” says Louisville, KY plastic surgeon M. Bradley Calobrace, MD. Dr Mahabir also points out that the ‘ideal’ aesthetic has gradually shifted. “A quick look NewBeauty today compared to five years ago shows some important differences”. La Jolla, CA plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD says the state of the economy can also play a role.
54%: the percentage increase in breast reduction procedures from 2019 to 2022
(AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS)
Dr. Calobrace has seen a movement toward smaller breasts in his practice, resulting in implant removal and breast reduction. “Most women would agree that smaller breasts are easier to live with,” says McMurray, PA plastic surgeon Simona V. Pautler, MD. “Smaller, rounder, perkier breasts show up all over social media more than big, heavy, saggy ones. Fashion trends also call for no bra.” In addition, smaller breasts withstand gravity more, resulting in less surgery to correct tissue stretching, she adds. And, it’s easier to exercise with less weight on your chest.
30%: the percentage increase in breast lift from 2019 to 2022
(AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS)
Patients “want to improve relaxation and have the areola centered on the breast mound. This can only be achieved with a mastopexy,” says Dr. Jewell.
“In the past, when a more augmented appearance was desired, a breast lift was accompanied by an implant,” says Dr. Calobrace. Now, elevators often stand alone. We’ve also seen implant removal procedures increase, and when a patient downsizes, they often want a lift, notes Dr. Mahabir.
For a “more natural look, the lift can be done without implants,” says Dr. Calobrace. “Instead, it can be done on its own or potentially with auto-augmentation or fat grafting, which are two trends to watch out for.”
Implant removal increased 5% from 2021 to 2022, with combined removal and replacement procedures down 10%
(PROCEDURE STATISTICS COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY NATIONAL DATA BANK 2022 STATISTICS)
We see many women downsizing their implants,” says Dr. Mahabir. However, this may not be as simple as a trend towards smaller breasts. With social media and easy access to information, people are more informed about their choices than ever before. The danger, however, is that the average person cannot always decipher accurate information from misinformation. “Social media has made people much more aware of breast implants, especially breast implant disease [BII] issue,” adds Dr. Butler. While a trend toward smaller breasts may play a role, Miami plastic surgeon Sean Simon, MD suggests that a major driver of implant removal is celebrities and influencers sharing their stories of having their implants removed and then eliminating their symptoms. Since breast implant disease is a hot topic, Dr. Singer warns that there are some surgeons on the Internet who may choose to recommend implant removal, even when it may not always be necessary or best for the patient.
