Utah – the state of gorgeous fall foliage, excellent economic growth, and…cosmetic surgery? It could be if the studies over the last few years were any indication.
In four-month research by the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP), over 60% of the women know another who had undergone such surgery.
Meanwhile, in 2017, the state placed sixth on the number of cosmetic surgeons per capita (100,000 people). Six years ago before that, it landed eighth. Utah was only behind California and had more of such surgeons than New Jersey and Virginia.
Of the different procedures, cosmetic surgery is likely to be breast augmentation. The UWLP study even revealed that online search for it was at least 53% higher than the national average.
What makes breast augmentation popular in Utah, and how far has the procedure come through the years?
Why Breast Augmentation Sells
The popularity of breast augmentation in Utah (and, in fact, all over the United States) can be due to the following:
1. Accessibility and Safety of the Procedure
Like other cosmetic surgeries, breast augmentation can come with issues and complications. However, they are becoming rarer for two reasons:
- Various options for surgery
- FDA regulations
Today, cosmetic surgeons already have many tools for a more precise and safer procedure. For example, they can use 3D imagery to determine the best place for an incision. These cuts can be small, so the risks of infection and longer recovery decline.
The FDA regulations on implants also encourage doctors to shift from silicone to saline implants, which the body can tolerate better in case of a leak. New types of research point out how fat, which the surgeons can get from liposuction, could be used instead of synthetic implants to decrease rejection.
2. Peer Pressure and Societal Acceptance
In states like Utah, cosmetic surgeries, such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck, go beyond the need to look good. In some cases, especially among the younger population, they’re a product of peer pressure.
For this reason, parents and adolescents need to choose their cosmetic surgeon wisely. They need to find one who can help them walk through the decision-making process. This helps reduce the odds of remorse later.
Societal acceptance also plays a role. In the Beehive State, it’s not uncommon for high school graduates to receive these procedures as gifts. Many clinics also offer mommy makeovers, which include different surgeries. These usually involve breast augmentation or lift, liposuction, and nip and tuck. Sometimes the package might also add labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation.
3. Affordability
Cosmetic surgeries are not cheap. According to Docshop.com, breast procedures could cost around $12,000. In 2017, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) released a report detailing professional fees. That of breast augmentation or mammaplasty could reach over $3,000.
In Utah, though, it could be more affordable. Some clinics offer it for about $5,000. Of course, that still depends on many factors, such as age and the actual procedure. But because the state has many surgeons, it’s easier for men and women to compare prices.
It’s not clear how long Utah’s fascination for cosmetic surgery will last, but if numbers can tell us something, it’s likely to die anytime soon.
