Plastic surgery demand increased as more patients sought restoration after major changes in their lives. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recorded a 7 per cent rise in cosmetic surgical procedures. The organisation published these findings in its 2025 Procedural Statistics Report on September 1, 2026.
The report tracks procedure volumes, patient preferences and emerging trends across cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
Lift procedures gain momentum
Liposuction remained the most requested cosmetic surgical procedure during the year. Breast augmentation and tummy tuck procedures followed closely among the leading surgical treatments. However, lift procedures recorded some of the strongest growth across tracked cosmetic procedures.
Forehead and brow lifts increased by 29 per cent compared with the previous year. Upper body lifts grew by 22 per cent during the same period. Arm lifts and neck lifts each increased by 21 per cent. Thigh lifts also recorded a 20 per cent increase in procedure volume.
Facelift procedures grew by 13 per cent, while breast lifts increased by 8 per cent. Facial fat grafting recorded the largest single-year increase among tracked procedures. The procedure grew by 39 per cent as patients showed greater interest in restoring facial volume.
These results point towards a growing preference for restoration rather than dramatic physical transformation.
Restoration shapes patient demand
ASPS reported that life changes represented the leading reason patients pursued plastic surgery. Pregnancy, ageing and weight loss ranked among the key factors influencing treatment decisions. Patients also cited aesthetic enhancement, greater confidence and longstanding concerns as important motivations.
Significant weight loss can leave patients with excess skin and reduced facial or body volume. Plastic surgeons can address these changes through contouring, skin removal and volume restoration procedures. The trend also reflects changing patient expectations around cosmetic outcomes. Many patients now seek procedures that improve proportion while maintaining a natural appearance.
GLP-1 medications influence consultations
The report also examined consultations involving GLP-1 weight-loss medications. Eighty-two per cent of ASPS member surgeons reported receiving consultations related to GLP-1 use in 2025. However, ASPS cautioned that consultation numbers do not establish a direct link with specific procedures.
The growing use of weight-loss medications has created new considerations for plastic surgeons. Patients who experience significant weight loss may seek treatment for changes in skin and body contour.
Older patients drive procedure growth
Age also played a significant role in the changing demand for cosmetic surgery. Patients aged 66 and older recorded a 24 per cent increase in procedure volume. This group recorded the largest growth among all age categories tracked by ASPS.
Patients aged 36 to 55 still represented nearly half of all cosmetic procedures. Meanwhile, procedure volume among patients aged 18 to 25 declined by 9 per cent. The figures suggest that cosmetic surgery demand continues to shift across different age groups. Older patients appear increasingly willing to pursue procedures that address changes linked to ageing.
Reconstructive procedures also increase
Reconstructive surgery recorded growth during the year alongside cosmetic procedures. Hand reconstruction, scar revision and implant revision contributed to a 6 per cent annual increase. The growth highlights continued demand for procedures that restore function and appearance.
It also reinforces the wider focus on restoration across the plastic surgery market. Overall, the 2025 results show changing priorities among patients seeking plastic surgery. Lift procedures, volume restoration and body contouring gained momentum during the year.
The findings suggest patients increasingly want their appearance to reflect how they feel internally. This shift could continue shaping treatment preferences as patients prioritise natural-looking and restorative outcomes.
Also read: Male facelifts rise 26 per cent as men seek subtle midlife refresh