The Question
“I’d like to get my concerns fixed without surgery. Is there a laser or injection that I could use?”
I probably get this question once a week. Since I am known for safe and effective surgery, I suspect that those who are known for nonsurgical treatments get this question more commonly.
The Numbers
Nonsurgical cosmetic treatments worldwide, consisting of treatments such as Botox and other neuromodulators, filler injections, and laser treatments, constituted a market of around $12.2 billion in 2025. According to statistics around 4 million people in the United States underwent nonsurgical cosmetic treatments in 2025, around 84% of them women. I suspect these numbers are actually higher than reported.
In contrast, around 1.52 million cosmetic surgeries were reported in the United States last year (a 7% increase from 2024), roughly 40% of the number of nonsurgical treatments. Liposuction was the most common procedure, followed closely by breast augmentation. Facelifts accounted for nearly 78,000 operations.
The Discrepancy
Why are there so many more nonsurgical procedures than cosmetic operations? From my discussions with thousands of patients over the years, there are five major reasons why patients are more willing to undergo nonsurgical treatments, even though surgery is likely to give far better results.
The following section will discuss each of these main concerns: Cost, recovery, scars, effectiveness, and stigma.
The Total Cost
When buying our first car, most of us looked at our bank account and the sticker price, and figure out if we can afford it. By our third car, we start to ask what’s included in the cost and what hidden fees are lurking in the contract.
In the same way nonsurgical treatments come at a lower (not low) cost, but this doesn’t represent the total cost. Botox works best if repeated every three months– fillers, about every year. Lasers, between 6 months and five years. A facelift with deep tissue repair lasts about 10 years, and produces a far more impressive improvement. Surgery costs less in the long run, whether we are comparing Coolsculpting® vs. liposuction, Halo® vs. facelift, or Benefil® vs. surgical fat grafting.
As a side note, at Gallatin Plastic Surgery we provide you with a quote, not an estimate. All charges are included, which means you won’t be hit with a bill for services from a facility or anesthesia provider after the fact. With our private, AAAASF- and state-certified operating facility, we are able to keep costs significantly lower that other locations.
The Recovery
Oftentimes the prospect of having a surgery, especially choosing to have a surgery, is daunting. So much so the patients would rather be awake and have needles poked into their face or be zapped with high-intensity laser beams.
However, many advances have been made in surgical recovery, particularly in controlling pain and discomfort after surgery. I use a multimodal approach to making patients comfortable after surgery. Pain is a protective sensation, and taking away all pain can lead patients to be too active after surgery. However, we strive to help patients get better, faster. The high number of patients who return for other operations is evidence.
The Scars
Nonsurgical treatments typically avoid scars, although this is not always the case. Certain laser and chemical peel treatments may cause scarring if misapplied; Coolsculpting® may cause unevenness or even worsen fat collections; minimally invasive fat grafting (Beautifil®) can cause oil cysts or fat necrosis.
Although surgery usually results in some scarring, and there is always a risk of complications, plastic surgery scars are designed to be hidden as much as possible. Scars flatten and fade over time, and a plastic surgeon will have methods to deliver the best possible scars. When extra skin is present, scars are always necessary for removal of extra skin. There is no nonsurgical treatment that can fix this particular problem.
The Effectiveness Dilemma
Surgery accomplishes what nonsurgical treatments cannot. Long-lasting, efficient, significant improvement. Spending the same amount of money on lasers and injectables will not result in the same improvement as surgical facial treatments. Results obtained through nonsurgical means will not last as long as those from surgery.
However, surgical results also can, and should, appear natural. Effective does not mean overdone. Surgery is tailored to provide the best possible look– using nonsurgical treatments often means stretching the product use beyond a natural appearance to try to achieve improvements they are incapable of.
The Stigma
Some people are great at keeping secrets (we happen to be some of those people). Others aren’t. Some are embarrassed about having some help keeping aging at bay, and others are open about it. Although your friends and family may not be open about discussing aesthetic surgery, doesn’t mean they haven’t had (or considered having) it.
Although cosmetic surgery carries a certain stigma, it is much more common than you might realize. More than 1.5 million cosmetic operations were reported in 2025 alone.
Because plastic surgery addresses our physical insecurities, it may be awkward to talk about. But make no mistake–it is very helpful in improvement of these concerns.
The Conclusion
Surgery works. Surgery is often cheaper in the long run. The benefits of surgery last longer and look better.
Sometimes it takes courage to take the plunge, but the plunge is worth it. Call us or contact us today for a consultation to discuss the options that are best for you!