Cosmetic surgery allows us to change bits and bobs about ourselves to help enhance our natural beauty. Whether it is altering our nose, turning back the hands of time, or giving us the voluptuous booty we have always dreamed of.
However, some surgeries clearly reign supreme with thousands of people around the globe flocking through plastic surgeon practice doors to have them done.
Today we look at some of the most sought-after procedures on planet earth and give you a brief description of what it entails. Meaning, if you are currently on the fence whether or not you should have said procedure done, we hope this article will help shine a light in the right direction.
Cosmetic Surgery Vs. Non-Surgical Procedures
Both courses of action are designed to turn your beauty aspirations into a reality but in very different ways. Cosmetic surgery typically refers to a more invasive procedure that involves incisions being made, anesthesia, and longer recovery times. Whereas aesthetic or non-surgical procedures are minimally invasive (or completely non-invasive), usually requires no anaesthesia (although topical numbing cream may be applied) and comes with little to no downtime.
In 2023, approximately 34.9 million surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed globally. This includes everything and anything from jawline surgery to lip fillers, and just goes to show how many people want to alter their appearance to feel better in the body they are in.
Here Are The Most Sought-After Surgeries Worldwide
In no particular order, the top choices among your fellow earthlings include:
Breast Augmentation
This should come as zero surprise. Breast augmentation, commonly known as a boob job, has been a very popular procedure for what feels like from the beginning of time. In 2011, a whopping 14 years, it was already estimated that about 5 to 10 million women worldwide had breast implants. More recent data, however, indicates that there were 4.3 million surgical breast procedures performed globally in 2022, with 2.17 million of those being breast implants. Breast augmentation is not only done to increase breast size but also to improve the shape.
Liposuction
Also a very popular procedure. Liposuction is done to help contour your body by removing stubborn fat from areas like your abdomen, thighs, arms, and yes, also your chin. In 2022, more than 2.3 million lipo procedures were conducted worldwide. In the United States alone, 347,782 liposuction procedures were performed in 2023. And in the UK, there were 1,275 liposuction procedures performed in 2021.
Rhinoplasty
Most people have heard of a nose job. Medically, it is known as rhinoplasty. The word rhino is derived from Greek meaning nose, and plasty meaning to shape. This cosmetic surgery involves reshaping your nose to improve both its appearance and function (to help with issues like breathing difficulties for example). This procedure is especially popular in countries like South Korea and the United States. In 2023, around 1.1 million rhinoplasty procedures were conducted in the world. In the United States alone, nearly 45,000 rhinoplasties were performed the year before.
Facelift
Another surgical procedure that should come as zero surprise is the legendary facelift. Known as a rhytidectomy in medical circles, a facelift helps reduce common signs of ageing like wrinkles and sagging skin by actually tightening the skin and tissues on your face and neck.
It is one of the most popular surgical facial procedures in the world, and despite the rise of non-surgical treatments it has remained high in demand.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, improves the appearance of the eyes by removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It is especially popular in East Asia, with South Korea leading the trend, particularly for double eyelid surgery. In 2014, there were 1.43 million people who underwent this surgery, making it the most common cosmetic procedure in the country.
Remember, South Korea has a population of around 51 million. That means 1.43 is a significant portion of South Korea’s inhabitants. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) reported that approximately 1.3 million individuals worldwide underwent eyelid surgery in 2017.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck (not to be confused with liposuction) helps create a flatter, firmer stomach by tightening your abdominal muscles and removing the excess skin and fat. A lipo procedure focuses solely on removing excess fat, NOT the skin. A tummy tuck is super popular among those who have lost a significant amount of weight loss. It is also a popular choice for post-pregnancy bodies.
Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal helps slim your face by reducing fat pads in your cheeks. This reduction gives your cheekbones a more defined and sculpted look. This cosmetic procedure is especially common among celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Bella Hadid, and Khloé Kardashian. For mere mortals like you and me, the global figures for 2022 clocks in at about 4,543 procedures that year.
Jawline Surgery
Jawline surgery is designed to reshape your jaw to create a more defined and balanced facial profile. It is a top choice in countries like South Korea and the United States, and it is sought after for both cosmetic and reconstructive reasons.
Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
And last but not least, the very well-known Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). This surgery is either loved or hated but the fact remains it is popular! This procedure involves transferring fat from other parts of your body to your booty, creating a fuller, more shapely appearance. Many celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, and Jennifer Lopez have been rumoured to have had a BBL procedure but have not openly spoken about it yet. According to the latest stats, in the United States BBLs accounted for 50% of all cosmetic procedures in the South Atlantic region in 2023! And nearly 400,000 Brazilian Butt Lift procedures were performed globally in 2021.
Finding A Surgeon Worth His/Her Salt
This is very important. To ensure a safe, sterile, ethical, and successful surgery, you need to book a consultation (and inevitably your procedure) with a highly qualified and highly recommended medical professional. Some of the best plastic surgeons in London, Seoul, Istanbul, and the world will attest to how critical it is to find an experienced surgeon. Always read numerous reviews when consulting the World Wide Web, and never hesitate to ask your chosen surgeon to see before and after pictures of previous procedures.
Our Final Overview
Getting cosmetic surgery is a deeply personal decision that only you can make. It is at its core designed to help you love the way you look by highlighting your natural features and fixing those you are not fond of.
Of course, whether you are opting to transform your waist or your nose, many individuals worldwide are embracing cosmetic procedures to achieve their ideal appearance. And if that is what you want, so can you.
1 Comment
I had no idea procedures like buccal fat removal were so specific! It’s fascinating how customisable cosmetic surgery has become. The more we know, the better choices we can make.