The elective surgery business -- otherwise known as cosmetic surgery, or plastic surgery -- is booming; over 11 million procedures were performed in the United States in 2013, and there's no sign of that number shrinking any time soon.

If you're interested in learning a bit about America's most omnipresent surgeries and what makes them so desirable, then here's a quick guide to everything you need to know:

Liposuction

Coming in at #1, to absolutely no one's surprise, is the age-old process of liposuction. More correctly called lipoplasty (and commonly shortened to lipo), this surgery deals with your entire body, going through and removing excess fat deposits. This procedure isn't just for losing 10 or 15 pounds -- liposuction actually reshapes your body, helping your proportions to become more even.

It's not limited just to your tummy or thighs -- lipo can be used for stereotypical spots like the torso or your chin and cheeks, but can also help slim down miscellaneous areas, like the backs of your knees. With so much versatility, it's no wonder that lipoplasty is America's number one elective surgery.

Breast Augmentation

It's only eligible for use by half of America's population, but a breast augmentation is still the second most popular cosmetic surgery in the country. You no doubt know what a breast augmentation entails, but it doesn't just make breasts bigger or smaller -- it can also change their shape and texture, and thus how they appear to the eye and touch. If making the breasts larger, an implant filled with generally silicone or saline is inserted, with skin and excess breast tissue being shaped around it.

If you're considering a breast augmentation and want to breastfeed later, make sure your doctor is extra careful -- there have been cases of women being unable to breastfeed their children after having an augmentation done.

Blepharoplasty

The scientific name might throw you off for a second, but never fear; taking the bronze in this popularity contest is none other than eyelid surgery. This process is usually done to define the crease in the eyelid, thereby granting the recipient eyes that look bigger and more awake. Blepharoplasty can also be used to refer to any surgery dealing with the portion of the face that surrounds the eyes -- from the eyebrow to the top of the cheek.

If you're scratching your head, trying to figure out a reason why this would be popular, consider this: how often are the muscles under your eyes puffy from a bad night's sleep, or allergies, or the common cold? This surgery minimizes that, allowing the skin under your eye to transition to the skin of your cheek with little fuss.

To learn more, contact a company like http://www.myplasticsurgerygroup.com with any questions you have.

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