Top 5 Plastic Surgery Trends to Watch in 2017
In elective plastic surgery, there are the mainstays like breast augmentation and abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, but advantages are being made continuously in surgical technique. Societal trends also evolve over time. In 2017, we will see the continuation of trends from 2016, and the continuing adoption of some new and exciting recently approved treatments. Below, I lay out some the top 5 trends for 2017 based on what I have seen recently in my practice.
5. Abdominal Etching
An abdominal etching patient of Dr. Zuckerman’s pictured before and immediately after his plastic surgery procedure. Patient is wearing post-op compression foam in the after image.Over the last year, I have had increasing interest from prospective patients in ‘abdominal etching’. In this operation, I perform targeted small volume liposuction at each of several sites in the abdomen to enhance the appearance and contour of the abdominal muscles. The procedure takes 1-2 hours and recovery time is around 2 days before return to work, a month before vigorous abdominal exercise. November through March is a great time to undergo this surgery, as it means you’ll be beach ready in time for summer!
4. PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Injection
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection is a relatively new facial procedure and is becoming popular with my avant garde patients. Kim Khardashian has even undergone this treatment on her television show. The goal of the injections is to use the body’s own rejuvenative growth factors from the blood to create a more youthful, lustrous skin and facial appearance. In this procedure, I draw blood from the patient, and place it in a centrifuge to separate the different components into discrete layers in the test tube. I then inject the PRP (platelet-rich plasma) portion, which contains concentrated growth factors into the skin of the patient’s face. I have seen various takes on this procedure including injecting vitamins along with a patient’s blood, and I myself have undergone this procedure on my scalp for hair loss! While I do believe this procedure does have rejuvenative effects, the ‘jury’ is still out: it’s a relatively new treatment, and many academic studies are currently being performed. We will know more in the future as to which applications of the treatment are the most efficacious.
3. Kybella, a new FDA-approved injectable to eliminate submental, or under the chin, fat
A before and after result for Kybella to eliminate submental, or under the chin, fat. Source: Allergan.This year, the FDA approved Kybella to treatment submental, or under the chin, fat through targeted elimination. This injectable is very popular among my patients and has arrived with much fanfare including spokeperson Khloe Khardashian. It is made by Allergan, a large and trusted company that also manufactures Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm. The course of treatment involves a series of 2-3 injection treatments in a grid like pattern under the chin. Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is a manmade form of a substance your body makes that helps to absorb fats and works by destroying fat cells where it is injected.
2. More (bigger) lip augmentation
A before and after result of a lip augmentation patient of Dr. Zuckerman’s.Lip augmentation is most often performed using the injected filler Juvederm. The treatment takes 5-10 minutes, and I give patients numbing cream to help minimize any discomfort. My patients are asking for increasing amounts of Juvederm fillers in their lips to match societal and celebrity trends. It is more difficult to make larger amounts of augmentation look natural, and it is up to me to deposit the filler in the right areas and proportions to achieve the desired result for my patients.
1. Buttock Augmentation, the “Brazilian Butt Lift”
Illustrative image showing the potential reshaping of the buttocks Dr. Zuckerman is able to achieve with buttock augmentation. Also knows as the BBL, this is Dr. Zuckerman’s #1 pick for trending plastic surgery procedure of 2017.Over the past year, Buttock Augmentation, or the “Brazilian Butt Lift”, has been the most asked about plastic surgery procedure I perform, and I believe the trend will continue. The rising popularity of this procedure is partially driven by celebrity and other societal trends. This treatment is really two surgeries combined into one. In the first stage, I perform liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, back or thighs from targeted areas. In the second stage, I graft the patient’s own fat that I have just removed to their buttocks. This surgery also unfortunately has the highest rate of illicit, illegal injection being performed. Attracted by a ‘cheap price’, I have taken care of patients who have had foreign substances like bathroom caulk injected into their buttocks. Make sure you visit a board-certified Plastic Surgeon if you are thinking about undergoing this procedure!
