While techniques and methods used in a variety of cosmetic procedures are continually advancing, 2008 has saw a large increase in an injectable and noninvasive treatments such as Botox, as well as breast augmentation procedures. Studies have shown that over 10 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in the year 2005 alone, a nearly 40% increase since the turn of the new century. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the global market now exceeds $30 billion, with a sustainable compound annual growth rate in the range of 25%.

According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the following procedures experienced a drastic change in the number of procedures performed between the years 2000 and 2007. The top trends in cosmetic surgery include:

·         Breast augmentation

·         Breast lift

·         Dermabrasion

·         Tummy tuck

·         Botox treatments

·         Laser skin resurfacing

But such treatment are expensive and not covered by medical insurance in the U.S., except in special cases and circumstances. But there’s good news out there when it comes to affordable cosmetic or plastic surgery.

Breast augmentation may cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 in the US, but roughly $3,500 to $3,900 in Thailand. Those opting for the procedure in India will pay about 75% less there than in the US.

A breast lift costs between $4,000 and $7,000 in the US, though in India, the same procedure costs about $2,700 and those traveling to Argentina may expect to pay 40-80% less than costs incurred in the US.

Tummy tucks range from between $5,500 to $7,500 in the US, 50% less in Argentina, and about $3,700 in India.

So what are you waiting for? For up-to-date and informative research, visit PlacidWay, a quickly growing and very popular medical resource for the where’s, the how’s and the why’s of crossing borders for cosmetic surgery.