How weight-loss drugs are reshaping demand for cosmetic surgery

Weight-loss medications are causing a shift in the demand for cosmetic surgery, according to a recent international survey. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery gathered data from more than 2,900 plastic surgeons in 51 countries, revealing that the total number of surgical procedures performed worldwide in 2025 was almost 17.9 million.

While cosmetic procedures for men dropped by 14% from the previous year and by 7.7% for women, the popularity of certain procedures, such as liposuction and breast augmentation, has been on the decline. Dr Sanjay Parashar, a surgeon and CEO of Cocoona Centre of Aesthetic Transformation in Dubai, attributes this trend to the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs, particularly GLP-1 agonists, which have made weight loss more accessible and effective.

He notes that these medications can lead to increased demand for procedures like excess skin removal and bodylifts as people prefer natural-looking results over non-surgical options like fillers. Despite the declining demand for certain procedures, eyelid surgery remains the most popular, with 2.46 million surgeries performed globally in 2025.

However, there is a growing trend towards seeking more natural-looking results, with patients opting for breast lifts over implants and choosing smaller, more natural breast sizes. The rise of weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro is also influencing the cosmetics industry, with French beauty giant L'Oréal reporting significant growth in the third quarter of 2026, attributing the increase to products designed to complement GLP-1 medications and counter the effects of skin sagging.