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FDA Consumer magazine
July-August 2000

Breast Augmentation Surgeries on the Rise

The number of breast augmentation surgeries has increased steadily for all age groups in the United States since 1992. Although teenagers represent a small percentage of total breast augmentation surgeries, the numbers show this cosmetic procedure has gained popularity among young women. FDA's recent approval of saline-filled breast implants limits augmentation surgery to women 18 years or older.

Total Number of Augmentations (in thousands)

1992

• 13 - 18 year olds: 978
• 19 - 34 year olds: 19,564
• 35 - 50 year olds: 11,087
• 51 - 64 year olds: 978

1994

• 13 - 18 year olds: 392
• 19 - 34 year olds: 25,511
• 35 - 50 year olds: 12,559
• 51 - 64 year olds: 785

1996

• 13 - 18 year olds: 1,172
• 19 - 34 year olds: 56,087
• 35 - 50 year olds: 27,328
• 51 - 64 year olds: 3,486

1998

• 13 - 18 year olds: 1,840
• 19 - 34 year olds: 79,341
• 35 - 50 year olds: 46,380
• 51 - 64 year olds: 3,486

1999

• 13 - 18 year olds: 2,692
• 19 - 34 year olds: 113,443
• 35 - 50 year olds: 67,648
• 51 - 64 year olds: 7,536

Source: 1992-1998 data, American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 1999 data, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

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