Plastic surgery has officially entered its wellness phase. According to new data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) annual procedural statistics report, both surgical and nonsurgical procedures held strong in 2024 despite widespread economic uncertainty. Cosmetic surgeries rose 1 percent while minimally invasive procedures increased 3 percent, signaling that patients are continuing to prioritize how they look and feel, no matter what’s happening in the broader economy.
“Patients continued to prioritize their aesthetic health in 2024 despite the unpredictable economic uncertainty they faced throughout the year,” said Charlottesville, VA plastic surgeon and ASPS President Scott Hollenbeck, MD. “People want to look and feel their best so they can face the challenges of everyday life with greater confidence.”
The most-performed surgical procedures last year were liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, breast lifts and eyelid surgery. On the minimally invasive side, neurotoxins like Botox remained the most popular treatment, with over 9.8 million procedures performed, followed by hyaluronic acid fillers, skin resurfacing, laser treatments and lip augmentation.
But the most telling shifts in the report aren’t just in volume, they’re in who’s getting what and why.
More Ozempic Makeovers
One of the biggest changes captured in the report is the wave of patients seeking surgery after dramatic weight loss from GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound. More than 837,000 patients who were prescribed these medications by ASPS member surgeons in 2024 pursued further aesthetic care. Twenty percent had already undergone plastic surgery, while 39 percent were considering a procedure and 41 percent were exploring nonsurgical options.
“The term ‘Ozempic makeover’ refers to a personalized set of plastic surgery procedures designed to address the weight-loss–induced changes to the face, breast and body,” said Houston plastic surgeon and ASPS President-Elect C. Bob Basu, MD. “We’ve seen a sharp rise in demand for facelifts and necklifts, tummy tucks, breast lifts and body lifts.”
Miami plastic surgeon Michael Keyes, MD, called it one of the most prominent aesthetic trends of the year. “Patients who experience rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications often present with skin laxity and facial deflation,” he said. “In the body, the most common surgical procedures I perform in these patients are high-definition liposuction, skin tightening, tummy tucks and arm lifts.”
Still, not every surgeon is fully on board with combining procedures in one session. “The ‘Ozempic makeover’ is somewhat troublesome, especially if it involves multiple surgical procedures performed in the same operative session,” said Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD. “Longer surgery equates to increased risk. Prudent patient, prudent surgeon and prudent amount of surgery is the safest option.”
Facelifts Are Skewing Younger
Facelift procedures rose by 1 percent in 2024 and doctors say more patients in their 30s and 40s are opting for surgery to stay ahead of volume loss, often accelerated by weight loss medications. According to the ASPS report, Gen X and Millennial patients are showing up earlier, not to transform, but to subtly maintain. “We’re now in the era of undetectable facial plastic surgery,” said Dr. Basu. “Patients aren’t trying to look different, they want to look like themselves on their best day.”
Dr. Keyes noted that younger patients are often well-researched and camera-ready. “Plastic surgeons are recommending younger facelifts because we get better results working with youthful tissue,” he said. “It’s better to do small tweaks over time rather than one large correction later in life.”
Hinsdale, IL plastic surgeon Daniel Krochmal, MD, agrees. “There’s more a focus on maintaining youth versus achieving youth in my practice,” he said. “As techniques and results improve, the risk-reward scale tips, and patients don’t want to wait longer to look their best.”
A Shift Toward Regenerative Injectables
Although hyaluronic acid fillers rose slightly, with over 5.3 million treatments performed, the report and experts agree that patients are becoming more selective and curious about longer-lasting alternatives. “Yes, filler fatigue is real,” said Dr. Basu. “More patients are moving away from the overfilled look and turning to biostimulatory injectables that work with the body to stimulate collagen production over time.”
Skin resurfacing treatments like lasers and peels also saw the biggest year-over-year increase among top nonsurgical procedures, growing 6 percent in 2024—another sign that patients are prioritizing skin quality and texture alongside volume loss.
Dr. Keyes said the aesthetic goal is shifting from volume replacement to facial optimization. “We’ve seen too many celebrities with unnatural ‘pillow faces,’” he said. “Patients are more aware of the risks of overfilling and are prioritizing skin quality and collagen stimulation instead.”
Regenerative injectables like PRP and exosomes are gaining traction for their perceived longevity says Dr. Krochmal, though some surgeons remain cautious. “I find I have greater precision with HA fillers,” said Dr. Jewell.
More Men Are Getting Surgery
According to the report, men made up about 7 percent of all cosmetic surgery patients in 2024, a one-point increase from the previous year. Liposuction and gynecomastia surgery led the way, but the rise was most notable in lower body procedures, 10 percent of lower body lift patients and 5 percent of thigh lift patients were male.
“Men are increasingly empowered to address areas that have long bothered them,” said Dr. Basu. “They want results, but also minimal downtime.”
Dr. Keyes sees the trend as tied to performance and perception. “Men are catching on that aesthetics can be a form of social currency. They tend to be results-driven and are often seeking to enhance definition in the chest, abdomen and arms.”
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, the numbers show a new normal: one where aesthetic care is less about vanity and more about confidence, functionality and self-investment. Procedures once considered hush hush, like facelifts in your 40s or full-body makeovers after weight loss, are now part of the broader conversation. “This surge in demand for post–weight loss plastic surgery is a key reason why overall cosmetic surgery volumes have remained so strong, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Dr. Basu.
Whether patients are seeking a discreet refresh or reclaiming their body after dramatic weight loss, the 2024 data shows that plastic surgery is evolving, not disappearing. And for many, it’s becoming as routine as any other investment in health.
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