Why Ukrainians turn to plastic surgeons – a survey of the audience by Dmytro Slosser

Last week, I conducted a brief survey among my followers on Instagram using the Stories feature. Each question received a different number of responses, but on average, approximately 400 respondents participated. The purpose of this survey was quite simple: to understand what motivates people to undergo cosmetic surgery today. The results confirmed my own observations.

Plastic surgery as a gift to oneself

About 70% of respondents called plastic surgery a “gift to themselves.” This indicates that modern patients no longer perceive surgery as something dramatic or taboo. On the contrary, for many, it is a conscious gesture of self-respect, self-care, and a desire to harmonize the inner and outer self.

More than 28% of respondents associate surgical intervention with recovery from trauma or changes, indicating the relevance of the rehabilitative function of aesthetic medicine.

Self-love prevails

The results of the section on motivation are particularly revealing: about 74% of respondents named self-love as the main reason for change, leaving the desire to “realize a dream” far behind. Thus, aesthetics in medicine today is not about standards, but about inner freedom of choice.

When asked what is more important – confidence or natural beauty – the majority (61%) did not give a definite answer and chose both options at the same time. This indicates a growing maturity in society's attitude towards aesthetic changes. External transformations are seen as a path to inner harmony, not the other way around.

Patients choose subtlety over visibility

Today's patients are not looking for a “wow effect,” but rather a confidence boost. Over 80% of respondents said they are inspired by subtle changes — a slight enhancement of their natural beauty, rather than a radical transformation.

This confirms another trend: the demand for “invisible surgery,” where the results of the operation do not attract attention but have a noticeable effect on self-confidence.

Breast augmentation is the most desired plastic surgery

The results of an open-ended question showed that the most desired procedures among active users are breast augmentation (24.1%) and facelifts (21.9%), indicating a desire to harmonize body contours and rejuvenate. At the same time, blepharoplasty, liposuction, and rhinoplasty were distributed almost evenly, demonstrating a demand for small but significant changes. These responses indicate that modern patients are not looking for radical transformations—they want to preserve themselves by correcting areas that cause personal discomfort.

Conclusion

This short survey showed that modern plastic surgery is no longer an attempt to reject oneself. On the contrary, each decision is dictated not by fashion or pressure, but by a person's desire to be themselves without compromise.