For the second consecutive year, our Dr. Shahram Salemy has been featured as a key contributor to RealSelf’s annual “Real Talk Report”. The 2025 edition, released late last year, analyzes millions of consumer searches and expert insights from leading plastic surgeons across the United States to identify the year’s most significant aesthetic trends.
Dr. Salemy’s expertise was spotlighted in two major trend areas that defined 2025: the surge in post-weight loss surgery and the continuing evolution toward smaller, more natural breast enhancements.
Post-Weight Loss Surgery: The Biggest Trend of 2025
Dr. Salemy identified what he considers the most transformative trend of the year. “The biggest aesthetic trend of 2025 has been post-weight loss surgery,” he explained in the report. “With the rise and accessibility of GLP-1 medications, more people are achieving significant weight loss and are now seeking surgical procedures to refine and complete their transformations.”
This observation reflects a dramatic shift in the aesthetic surgery landscape. According to RealSelf data, traffic to GLP-1-related content jumped an astounding 2,080% year-over-year, and surgeons nationwide reported skyrocketing demand for procedures including tummy tucks (which became the #3 most popular procedure on RealSelf in 2025), arm lifts, body lifts, and breast lifts to address excess skin following major weight loss.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Salemy predicts this trend will continue to grow. “We’ll continue to see a rise in post weight loss surgeries such as tummy tucks, breast lifts, body lifts, and facelifts,” he noted in the report.
The Shift to Smaller, More Natural Breast Augmentation (“Ballerina Breast Augmentation”)
Dr. Salemy also weighed in on a trend that’s been gaining momentum over the past several years: the movement toward smaller, more proportionate breast implants, as evidenced by the rising popularity of the “Ballet Body” and “Ballerina Breast augmentation”.
“Patients today are opting for smaller implant sizes than in years past,” Dr. Salemy shared in the report. “Several years ago, the most common implant sizes in our practice ranged from 300–400cc, whereas now, the average range is 185–285cc. Women are increasingly seeking a natural, proportionate enhancement.”
This shift reflects a broader cultural movement toward what the report describes as “subtle luxury”: aesthetic enhancements that look undetectable and complement a patient’s natural anatomy rather than dramatically altering it. The trend was echoed by plastic surgeons across the country, with many noting that patients are prioritizing freedom of movement, active lifestyles, and results that enhance who they already are rather than transforming their appearance.
The report also highlighted the rapid rise of Motiva breast implants, which gained FDA approval in Fall 2024 and quickly became the #4 most popular surgical procedure on RealSelf in 2025. Dr. Salemy was among the first surgeons in the Pacific Northwest to offer this next-generation breast implant option to his patients.
Natural Results Matter
The trends Dr. Salemy discussed reflect a fundamental shift in how patients approach aesthetic surgery. If you’ve been following the evolution of cosmetic surgery over the past year, you’ve likely noticed a significant shift: patients are increasingly prioritizing natural-looking results over dramatic transformations. According to RealSelf, in 2025, there was a “remarkable shift in how patients approach aesthetics, prioritizing natural, balanced results that dovetail perfectly with the broader wellness trend.” While only recently gaining momentum across the country, this is a philosophy that Dr. Salemy has championed throughout his 20+ year career in plastic surgery and has been central to our plastic surgery approach. His featured insights in the Real Talk Report underscore his commitment to helping patients achieve results that enhance their natural beauty while maintaining their unique identity.
About RealSelf’s Real Talk Report
The Real Talk Report is RealSelf’s flagship publication analyzing aesthetic treatment trends across the United States. Drawing on data from millions of consumer searches on the RealSelf platform and in-office insights from board-certified plastic surgeons and dermatologists practicing across the country, the report offers a comprehensive look at the procedures, preferences, and shifting attitudes that define each year in aesthetic medicine.
The RealSelf 2025 Real Talk Report marks the second consecutive year that Dr. Salemy has contributed to this industry publication. In 2024, he was also highlighted for his expertise on the shift toward natural-looking results and his insights on liposuction trends among patients seeking a fit, athletic appearance.
You can read the full report here and the press release here.
