Is Lasik really worth it? We think so! In this article, we will be covering the national patient satisfaction rate of Lasik eye surgery. We will then compare it to other popular cosmetic treatments to see how they rank. Lasik is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic treatments in the unites states. In fact, Lasik eye surgery is the most performed cosmetic procedure in the world.
According to the American Academy of Opthalmology or the AAO, Lasik has seen a whopping 30 million procedures performed globally since it was first patented in the early 1980s and close to 700,000 thousand procedures are performed every year in the United States and growing. When comes down to it, Lasik is worth the price, and here’s why!
How well does Lasik score nationally?
Lasik, or laser in situ keratomileusis utilizes a laser to reshape the cornea of the eye and correct refractive errors. Refractive errors in the eye result in hyperopia and myopia, also known as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Here in Michigan, Lasik is used as a mechanism to free patients from their eyeglasses and contact lenses so they can enjoy life without the need for corrective eyewear, and this holds true around the world as well.
Numerous studies from 2018 have shown that 99% of Lasik eye surgery patients obtain greater than 20/40 eyesight. Studies also show that over 90% of patients obtain better than the advertised 20/20 vision. These statistics are with traditional Lasik as well, not the cutting edge CATz Lasik offered at Yaldo Eye Center and at other globally recognized Lasik practices. In addition to its high success rate, Lasik boasts an unparalleled 98% patient satisfaction rate; the greatest of any cosmetic surgery.
Lasik vs Hair Transplants
The hair transplant is another cosmetic procedure growing rapidly in popularity. During an FUE hair transplant, surgeons extract hairs in follicular units and transplant them to balding areas of the head. Follicles on the back and sides of the scalp are genetically resistant to balding. For this reason, they typically make up the donor hairs for grafting. As hair transplants become more popular in the United States, they are also greatly decreasing in cost. This is because more cosmetic practices are offering the procedure and technology is making it easier to perform.
Many different FUE hair transplant techniques exist. They include manual FUE, motorized FUE such as NeoGraft or SmartGraft, and robotic FUE using the ARTAS system. Motorized and robotic techniques typically carry the same cost as manual FUE and typically produce similar results. With that being said, they do make the procedure a bit more efficient. Lowering the procedure time for a treatment like hair restoration can surely increase patient satisfaction.
According to Bernstein Medical Research, over 395,000 hair restoration procedures are performed annually around the world. According to an international study by JAMA, hair transplants boast a global patient satisfaction rate of 97%. At this number, hair restoration comes really close to matching Lasik in terms of patient satisfaction.
Lasik vs Breast Reduction
Reduction Mammoplasty, more commonly referred to as breast reduction surgery, is an extremely popular procedure in the US. Just like Lasik, breast reduction has more than just a cosmetic benefit for patients. Women with extensively large breasts can suffer from bra strap grooving, back pain, poor posture, and muscle aches. During a breast reduction, an incision is created around the areola, extending down the center of the breast. Fat and glandular mass is removed in order to lighten the breasts and make them proportional to the body.
Breast reduction surgery is known to be one of the most life-changing and liberating procedures someone can have. Despite this belief, it holds a national patient satisfaction rate of 95% in 2018. Even though breast reduction results in a major lifestyle improvement. In short, the experience of an invasive surgery like breast reduction will always be a challenge. The easy procedure and recovery of Lasik give it a major boost in patient satisfaction.
Lasik vs Rhinoplasty (Nose-Job)
Rhinoplasty, or a “nose job” is a procedure designed to reshape the nose and eliminate nasal asymmetries, irregularities, and deformities. During rhinoplasty, a plastic surgeon creates incisions in the nose and works to mold a more subtle and symmetrical appearance that matches the patients face. They can reshape the structure by shaving bone and cartilage or by grafting fat cells into the nose. The surgeon can widen the nose, lower bumps, define the nasal tip, and much more.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States, but how does it compare to Lasik? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 223,018 rhinoplasty procedures were performed in 2018. This is nearly 1/3 the amount of Lasik eye surgeries performed.
This is mainly due to the fact that Rhinoplasty is a purely cosmetic procedure, and unlike Lasik, does not provide a functional and practical benefit to someone’s daily life. According to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, rhinoplasty reached a national patient satisfaction rate of only 84% in 2018. This number causes many to cringe in comparison to the unparalleled 98% patient satisfaction rate of all-laser Lasik eye surgery.
Lasik vs Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Blepharoplasty, which is more commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, is also one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the US. As Michigan’s leaders in everything eyecare, we have personal experience performing premium Eyelid Surgery at the Yaldo Eye Center.
Eyelid surgery consists of creating incisions around the eyelid, corresponding to the area of focus, and then removing and tightening loose and saggy skin. Eyelid surgery is designed to treat saggy and droopy looking eyelids which often come naturally with age. Double Eyelid surgery is the most popular technique used in order to restore a youthful and healthy look to patients suffering from these conditions.
Eyelid Surgery Statistics
According to the ASPS, over 209,500 eyelid procedures were performed in 2018, ranking it among the top 5 most popular plastic surgeries in America. Although eyelid surgery is very popular, it only achieved an 85% patient satisfaction rate in 2018. We believe the reason for this is because eyelid surgery is a very delicate procedure, and many people performing it are not as experienced as the professionals at Yaldo Eye Center.
Because of this, patients are not getting the results they were promised or even “sold on” and are thus reporting a lower patient satisfaction rate. Even in the hands of professionals like us, blepharoplasty will never reach the unprecedented patient satisfaction rate of Lasik. This is because Lasik eye surgery provides such as a boost to one’s quality of life that long term patient satisfaction is inevitable.
Lasik vs Liposuction
Liposuction, is another one of the most commonly performed cosmetic treatments in the United States. Over 235,237 treatments were recorded in the year 2018. Liposuction is a popular treatment designed to eliminate stubborn fat from the body. Laser-liposuction entails inserting a cannula under the patient’s skin and liquifying fat cells via radiofrequency. The liquefied fat cells are then sucked up via the cannula and the patient’s body is permanently re-contoured.
Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess body fat. It allows patients to permanently enhance their body contours. Liposuction is most commonly used to treat visceral fat build-ups around the abdomen and thigh area. It can also treat fat under the arms that come with old age.
The national patient satisfaction rate of liposuction, which was only 80% in 2017, comes nowhere near that of Lasik’s 98%. Liposuction has a lower rate than Lasik for many reasons. As an invasive procedure, the overall experience is nowhere near as comfortable and pain-free as Lasik.
Second, the results of liposuction can take months to realize, while CATz Lasik can present patients with notably enhanced vision, the day after surgery. Liposuction also commonly presents more complications such as bleeding and bruising. Lasik on the other hand, only occasionally presents dry eyes in patients who neglect postoperative care.
Lasik vs Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is the 2nd most popular cosmetic and the #1 most popular plastic surgery in 2019. More specifically, breast augmentation utilizing synthetic implants, either composed of saline or silicone. Breast implants can increase the size, fullness, and outward projection of the breasts. Breasts have long been a symbol of beauty and femininity in women. It’s no surprise that close to 300,000 women chose to have breast implants every year in the US.
Breast augmentation is also very popular among patients looking to restore lost breast volume after a mastectomy. This surgery is known as breast reconstruction and does not factor into the statistics of breast augmentation. Larger, perkier, and more youthful breasts can provide women with a boost of self-esteem and confidence. They may help women feel more confident and attractive in their bodies.
Breast implants were taboo when they first became popularized, but in recent years, they have been growing in popularity. This upward trend is supported by the addition of teardrop-shaped implants and the vast improvements in cohesive silicone engineering. Since the year 2000, breast augmentation has increased by 37%. In 2017, over 300,000 produced were performed in the United States.
This number places breast augmentation as the #1 plastic surgery and the #2 cosmetic surgery in the US by volume. Implants are second to Lasik, which boasts double the procedures every single year. In addition, 92% of women reported being satisfied with their breast augmentation experience and results.
Lasik vs Mastopexy (Breast Lift)
Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift does not incorporate synthetic implants. A breast lift cannot increase the size, fullness, and volume of the breasts. With this in mind, it certainly can create a more youthful and vibrant look. The breast lift is used to treat women who are suffering from saggy and droopy breasts. These symptoms typically come from aging, weight fluctuation, or pregnancy.
The surgeon begins by creating an incision around the areola, similar to that of a breast reduction discussed earlier. The surgeon then repositions the areola and nipple to a higher point on the breasts. Once the areola is positioned, the surgeon then removes excess fat, tissue, and glandular mass from the breasts. The surrounding skin is tightened to create a lifted, youthful look, hence the name breast lift.
In 2018, over 101,000 breast lift procedures were performed. This places it among the top 10 most performed cosmetic treatments in the US. In 2018, the breast lift held a national patient satisfaction rate of 93%. This is significantly greater than some of the cosmetic surgeries mentioned earlier, but still low in comparison to Lasik eye surgery and even less popular refractive surgeries such as PRK, Lasek, and the ever-increasing Multifocal implants, or ICL procedure.
Lasik vs Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as the tummy tuck, is a very popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. Over 127,000 tummy tuck surgeries were recorded in 2018. An abdominoplasty is a procedure that entails a repairing of the abdomen and removal of excess skin. When patients lose weight they are often left with excess skin which cannot be eliminated naturally. During a tummy tuck, excess skin around the midsection is trimmed and tightened creating a tighter tummy.
This process consists of opening the abdomen and restitching loose and torn abdominal muscles. This results in a firmer and harder midsection which cannot be attained naturally if the muscles are torn. The abdominal muscles are often stretched when people gain a significant amount of weight and lose it abruptly. Abdominal muscles can become permanently torn with pregnancy and for this reason, it is very often included in a mommy makeover.
In 2018, the tummy tuck earned a national patient satisfaction rate of approximately 86%, which similar to most cosmetic procedures as we have learned, pales in comparison to that of Lasik eye surgery. This is because the tummy tuck can result in many more complications than Lasik. Tummy Tucks also have a significantly more challenging recovery than Lasik.
Why does Lasik dominate the market?
Lasik is more than just the most successful procedure in the US, its also the most popular. With 700,000 procedures a year, Lasik sees more than double the procedure volume as breast augmentation.
Lasik eye surgery has many benefits that bring it to the top of both lists. The first is that it is a very practical procedure. Procedures such as breast augmentation and rhinoplasty have little practical advantages past making patients look better. Although looking better and increasing self-esteem has amazing benefits to a patients quality of life, it does not compare to the results of eliminating the constant and impractical stress that is corrective eyewear such as contacts and glasses from ones daily life.
The second reason, is the experience of Lasik eye surgery compared to other popular procedures. Most of the competing procedures are very invasive and often require spending a night in the hospital. This leaves patients with a less pleasing experience and a more painful and challenging recovery after surgery. Lasik is not invasive, as it merely consists of firing an excimer laser into the cornea and reshaping the patient’s eye to properly refract light. The procedure takes roughly 15 min to complete and patients can be home quick. Cosmetic procedures such as breast reduction or a tummy tuck can take hours to complete.
Why is Lasik a global success?
Patients who visit our Lasik Michigan center on their day of surgery, usually arrive home 1 hour after their surgery. Patients are given simple recovery instructions and rarely experience pain or discomfort. In addition, our Lasik patients spend the night after surgery in the comfort of their own home.
All in all, Lasik eye surgery is #1 for a reason. The treatment is very practical, affordable, and easy to undergo and recover from. As technology improves, Lasik will only grow more in popularity and patient satisfaction. As we mentioned earlier, the 98% satisfaction rate was with patients who had traditional all laser Lasik. If you recall, most of the top providers in the nation, now strictly feature the CATz Lasik system.
Would you like to learn more about how Lasik eye surgery can help improve your quality of life? Are you interested in a FREE Lasik evaluation with Michigan’s premier eye surgeon, Dr. Yaldo? If so, give us a call today at (248)-553-9800. We are Yaldo Eye Center, Michigan’s leaders in everything eyecare.
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