If you are considering cosmetic surgery, you may want to know which procedures are most commonly performed on men, how the surgical approach may differ and what recovery could mean for your work and everyday life.
The latest British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) audit, based on data from its participating members, recorded 1,623 cosmetic surgical procedures on men in 2025. The five most commonly recorded were eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, otoplasty and liposuction.
That does not mean one procedure is right for everyone. Your starting anatomy, medical history, expectations and the change you are considering will all affect whether surgery is appropriate and which technique your surgeon recommends.
This guide looks at the procedures most commonly performed on men, how treatment is tailored, how to plan time away from work and what you can expect from your first consultation.
What cosmetic surgery procedures are most commonly performed on men?
According to the 2025 BAAPS audit, the most commonly recorded cosmetic surgery procedures among men were:
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): 346 procedures
- Rhinoplasty: 273 procedures
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): 190 procedures
- Ear correction (otoplasty): 185 procedures
- Liposuction: 185 procedures
Face and neck lift surgery followed these, with 156 procedures recorded.
These figures come from BAAPS’s annual audit and represent procedures carried out by its participating members. They are useful for understanding wider UK cosmetic surgery trends, but they do not tell you which procedure is suitable for you.
Your surgeon will assess your individual circumstances before recommending whether surgery is appropriate.
What does eyelid surgery involve?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure involving the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both.
The surgical approach depends on the area being treated and your individual anatomy. Your surgeon will discuss the technique, incision placement, possible scarring and recovery during your consultation.
BAAPS recorded 346 male blepharoplasty procedures in its 2025 audit, making it the most commonly recorded cosmetic surgical procedure among men that year.
As with any operation, there are potential risks and recovery considerations. You should have the opportunity to discuss these before deciding whether to proceed.
What is male rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty reshapes the nose. The procedure can alter areas such as the bridge, tip or nostrils, depending on what is being considered and what is surgically possible.
There are limits to how much a nose can be changed. BAAPS notes that factors including the size of the nose and the condition of the skin can affect what can be achieved.
Men accounted for 273 rhinoplasty procedures in the 2025 BAAPS audit, making it the second most commonly recorded male cosmetic surgery procedure that year.
Your consultation is an opportunity to explain what you would like to change and discuss whether your expectations are realistic.
What does a tummy tuck involve for men?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess skin from the abdomen. Depending on your anatomy and the technique used, it may also involve addressing separation of the abdominal muscles.
Men and women can both develop excess abdominal skin or changes to the abdominal wall. The surgical approach is therefore based on your individual anatomy rather than simply your sex.
BAAPS recorded 190 male abdominoplasty procedures in 2025.
A tummy tuck is significant surgery and leaves a scar. The position and length of the scar depend on the technique and the amount of tissue being removed. Your surgeon should discuss this, along with recovery and potential complications, before you make a decision.
What is ear correction surgery?
Otoplasty, or ear correction surgery, changes the shape or position of the ears.
The procedure can involve reshaping or repositioning the cartilage. Your surgeon will assess your ears and explain what surgical options may be appropriate for you.
BAAPS recorded 185 male otoplasty procedures in 2025.
Scarring, healing and recovery should form part of your consultation. As with other cosmetic procedures, the result cannot be guaranteed.
Is liposuction different for men?
Liposuction removes localised fat deposits from specific areas of the body. It is a body-contouring procedure, not a weight-loss treatment.
The areas being treated and the amount of fat being removed will affect the surgical approach. Your surgeon will assess your body shape, skin and the area you want treated before discussing whether liposuction is appropriate.
Male liposuction accounted for 185 procedures in the 2025 BAAPS audit.
Liposuction is still surgery and involves risks, swelling, bruising and a period of recovery. Your surgeon should explain what you can realistically expect before you decide whether to proceed.
How does cosmetic surgery differ for men and women?
There is no universal surgical technique for men and another for women.
However, anatomical differences can influence how a procedure is planned. Your surgeon may consider factors such as facial proportions, skin thickness, hair growth, fat distribution, muscle structure and the amount and position of excess skin.
For example, facial surgery may need to take account of the individual’s facial proportions and features. Body contouring is similarly planned around the person’s anatomy rather than a standard male or female template.
The same procedure can therefore involve different surgical decisions for different patients.
BAAPS’s procedure information also emphasises that the choice of technique for procedures such as abdominoplasty depends on the individual’s anatomy and the discussion between the patient and surgeon.
The important point is that your surgeon should assess you as an individual rather than assuming that your treatment should follow a standard approach because you are a man.
What about male chest reduction?
Male chest reduction is another procedure that men may ask about, although it did not feature among the five most commonly recorded male procedures in the 2025 BAAPS audit.
The surgery may involve removing excess glandular tissue, fat or skin, depending on the individual’s anatomy. Different techniques may therefore be considered for different patients.
If you are considering male chest reduction, your surgeon should assess the area and discuss what is causing the enlargement before recommending an appropriate surgical approach.
This is particularly important because not every change in the chest is addressed in the same way.
How much time will you need off work?
There is no single recovery period that applies to every cosmetic surgery procedure.
The amount of time you need away from work will depend on the operation, how extensive the surgery is, how your recovery progresses and what your job involves.
A desk-based role may have different requirements from a job involving heavy lifting, physical activity or prolonged periods on your feet.
For example, recovery following rhinoplasty can involve around two weeks away from work, according to NHS guidance, while recovery following body surgery can vary according to the procedure and individual circumstances.
Your surgeon should give you specific advice about:
- When you can return to work
- When you can drive
- When you can exercise
- Whether you need to avoid lifting
- How long swelling or bruising may be noticeable
- When you can resume your normal activities
It is sensible to discuss these practical details before surgery so you can plan your recovery realistically.
How can you plan for privacy during recovery?
If you prefer to keep your surgery private, you may want to think about the practical side of recovery before making a decision.
Consider how you will get home after surgery, whether someone needs to stay with you initially and whether you will need help with everyday tasks.
You may also want to think about how your recovery could fit around work commitments, particularly if your role is physical.
Visible swelling and bruising vary between procedures. Facial surgery may make changes more noticeable during the early stages of recovery, while body procedures may be easier to conceal under clothing.
There is no reliable way to give yourself a fixed number of days after which nobody will notice that you have had surgery. Your surgeon can explain what is typical for the procedure you are considering and how recovery may affect your routine.
What happens during a first cosmetic surgery consultation?
Your first consultation is an opportunity to discuss what you are considering and find out whether surgery is suitable for you.
Your surgeon should ask about your medical history, current health, previous operations and any medication you take. They will also want to understand what you would like to change and what you expect from surgery.
Depending on the procedure, they may examine the area you are considering and take measurements or photographs.
You can then discuss the options that may be appropriate for you, including the surgical technique, expected recovery, scars and potential complications.
The consultation should also give you the opportunity to ask questions.
What should you ask your surgeon?
You may want to ask:
- What procedure or technique would be appropriate for me?
- What can and cannot be achieved?
- Where will the scars be?
- How long will I need away from work?
- When can I drive and exercise again?
- What are the possible complications?
- What happens if I develop a complication?
- What aftercare and follow-up will I receive?
- Could I need further surgery in the future?
- What costs are involved?
NHS guidance recommends having a consultation with the practitioner who will carry out the procedure and asking about their qualifications, experience, complications, aftercare, recovery and costs. It also advises taking time to decide after the consultation rather than feeling pressured to proceed.
Do you have to decide at your first consultation?
No.
A consultation is there to help you understand your options and whether surgery may be appropriate. You should have the opportunity to consider the information you receive before making a decision.
It can be useful to write down your questions beforehand and take notes during the appointment.
You may also want to ask for information about the procedure and aftercare to take away and read afterwards.
NHS guidance recommends taking time to think about a cosmetic procedure before deciding whether to go ahead.
What should you consider before having cosmetic surgery?
Before deciding on surgery, consider both the potential benefits and the practical realities.
Think about the recovery period, possible scarring, complications, time away from work and the possibility that further treatment could be needed.
It is also important to have realistic expectations. Surgery can change physical features, but there is no way to guarantee a particular outcome.
The NHS recommends researching the procedure, understanding the risks and costs, choosing a suitably qualified practitioner and discussing your expectations during a consultation.
If you are still unsure after your consultation, it is reasonable to take more time to think.
Cosmetic surgery for men FAQs
The latest BAAPS audit recorded eyelid surgery as the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure among men in 2025, followed by rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, otoplasty and liposuction.
The basic surgical principles are not divided simply by gender, but anatomical differences can influence treatment planning. Your surgeon will consider your individual anatomy, proportions, skin and the changes you want to discuss which technique may be appropriate.
It depends on the procedure and the type of work you do. Recovery can vary significantly between procedures, so your surgeon should give you individual advice about returning to work and normal activities.
You can plan practical aspects of your recovery around work and other commitments, but the amount of visible swelling and bruising varies between procedures and individuals. Your surgeon can explain what recovery may look like for the procedure you are considering.
You will discuss what you would like to change, your medical history and your expectations. Your surgeon can then assess whether surgery may be appropriate, explain the available options and discuss risks, scars, recovery and aftercare. You should have time to consider the information before deciding whether to proceed.
Considering cosmetic surgery as a man?
If you are considering cosmetic surgery, the first step is understanding what the procedure involves and whether it is appropriate for you.
You can explore our Men – Body Surgery hub for information about procedures including liposuction, chest reduction and male tummy tuck.
For facial procedures, our Men’s Face & Head hub covers treatments including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery and otoplasty
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your individual circumstances with a surgeon, ask questions and understand the potential benefits, limitations, risks and recovery involved before making your decision.