East Tennessee’s Top 6 Plastic Surgery Procedures in Recent Years
Published by Dr. Jay Lucas, MD, a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience.
Key Takeaways
- Liposuction, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks have consistently ranked among the most popular cosmetic procedures in East Tennessee over the past two years.
- The top procedure, liposuction, is versatile and often combined with other surgeries, allowing patients to achieve more customized, natural-looking results.
- Recovery times vary, but most patients can return to light activity within a few days to a couple of weeks, with a wider variation by procedure regarding when it’s safe to return to normal or strenuous activity.
- Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions closely is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring a safe, smooth recovery.
- Dr. Lucas’s board certification, specialized training, and personalized approach to care all play key roles in delivering safe procedures and consistently strong results.
Since opening The Lucas Center in 2004 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Jay Lucas has seen many aesthetic trends come and go, and the popularity of some surgeries surge or slow depending on the current moment.
Through it all, he’s always helped his patients achieve their desired results in a natural-looking, timeless way, so they can feel confident in the present moment and moving forward.
If you’re considering plastic surgery and pondering where to start — or you’re just curious about the top cosmetic surgeries over the last few years — here’s a look at which procedures East Tennessee patients have been choosing…
Here are the Top 6 Most Popular Plastic Surgery Procedures in East Tennessee
Each June, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) publishes a report full of data from the previous year, including by region of the United States. With over 11,000 physician members, the ASPS is a great source for understanding large-scale trends and the decisions patients are making to achieve the appearance and confidence they want.
In 2024 and 2023, here were the top cosmetic surgeries in the East Tennessee area:
#1 – Liposuction
It’s no surprise that liposuction topped Tennessee’s list two years in a row. That’s because it’s an extremely versatile and minimally invasive procedure that can be used in many areas of the body and often combined with another procedure to add or reduce volume, as well as to contour the target area.
Here at The Lucas Center, Dr. Lucas often uses liposuction in conjunction with tummy tucks, breast augmentation, face lifts, and more.
#2 – Breast Augmentation
While trends about breast size have varied a lot over the two-plus decades since Dr. Lucas began his own practice, breast augmentation (aka “the boob job”) in general remains a highly popular procedure among East Tennessee patients. As with number one, this surgery has held its spot for two years running!
#3 – Abdominoplasty
Here’s where the competition gets a little closer. The tummy tuck still held steady at number three between 2023 and 2024, but as you’ll see in the chart below, number 4 is not far behind. Women in East Tennessee love this procedure, especially as part of a “Mommy Makeover” — a highly customized set of procedures to help women feel beautiful and confident again after having children.
#4 – Breast Lift
Different from breast augmentation (though often performed in conjunction with it), the breast lift is another top Knoxville-area plastic surgery that wasn’t far behind number three. Like the tummy tuck, this one is often popular with women who have had children, particularly if they’ve breastfed, because its rejuvenating results restore a perky, more youthful physique.
#5 – Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid rejuvenation, is a consistent go-to for East Tennessee patients noticing signs of aging like bags, puffiness, or excess skin around the eyes. (By the way, depending on your facial anatomy and needs, this is one of several procedures that a board-certified surgeon can supplement with targeted liposuction for enhanced results and contouring.)
#6 – Face Lift
Finally, the ever-popular face lift earned itself a spot as the sixth top surgery in East Tennessee two years in a row. (And you might be surprised to find out the ages of patients opting for this transformative surgery lately, by the way!)
By the Numbers…
If you enjoy seeing statistics, this is for you:
The ASPS breaks down the U.S. into five regions for the purposes of its reporting. Here are the exact numbers for Tennessee’s region in an at-a-glance version.
| Procedure | Total Number, Region 5 (2023) | Total Number, Region 5 (2024) |
| Liposuction | 66,764 | 66,930 |
| Breast augmentation | 51,100 | 51,214 |
| Abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck) | 34,270 | 34,313 |
| Breast lift | 30,594 | 30,568 |
| Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) | 18,719 | 18,739 |
| Face lift | 13,392 | 13,455 |
Sources: 2023 Procedural Statistics Release, American Society of Plastic Surgeons and 2024 Procedural Statistics Release, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
What Should You Expect During Recovery from Common Procedures?
Typically, a major question on the minds of patients considering any of these popular plastic surgery procedures in East Tennessee is what to expect as far as recovery time. Naturally, you have to evaluate whether the downtime and healing process can fit into your schedule and lifestyle.
From the surgical services on our site, you can access a more detailed breakdown of each surgery, recovery time, and more, so be sure to check those out!
In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the expected healing period for East Tennessee’s six most popular cosmetic surgeries…
Typical Recovery Timelines for Breast Augmentation, Liposuction, and Beyond
- Liposuction: Return to light activity within a few days; no strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks (depending on the location and extent of the lipo).
- Breast augmentation: Resume light activity in a few days; no heavy lifting for at least 2 weeks.
- Abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck): Return to light activity within 2 weeks; avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks.
- Breast lift: Resume light activity within 1 week; avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): Resume light activity within 1 week; avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks.
- Face lift: Return to light activities after 2 weeks; postpone strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks.
Managing Risks and Ensuring Patient Safety Post-Surgery
To mitigate risks and give yourself the best chance at beautiful results and the safest recovery possible, don’t push yourself to return to regular activities too soon. Keep in mind that the times listed above are ranges, and your individual circumstances may vary. In addition, some surgeries may also require you to wear compression garments during all or part of the recovery period.
Above all, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s specific post-op and healing instructions — and always check with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about your recovery process.
Still curious what to expect during recovery from plastic surgery? Check out these FAQs.
How Dr. Lucas Ensures Safe and Effective Plastic Surgery Outcomes
Your safety is our absolute top priority here at The Lucas Center. Next priority: to help you achieve the beautiful results and the confidence you want.
Here’s how we achieve those goals…
Board Certification and Specialized Training
During his two-plus decades as one of Knoxville’s top plastic surgeons, Dr. Lucas has maintained board certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery. That means he follows the highest clinical standards and stays up to date with best practices, research, and technology to achieve excellent results year after year.
For facial surgeries in particular, Dr. Lucas also brings unique specialized training to his practice. Before opening The Lucas Center, he graduated from dental school, then medical school, and then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric and craniofacial plastic surgery.
Ultimately, that all adds up to a uniquely deep knowledge and experience with the human face, enabling him to perform surgeries with a combination of the utmost technical skill and artistry.
Want to know more about how we protect your safety? Check out this blog on the topic.
Personalized Patient Care and Consultation Process
Another key to Dr. Lucas’s consistently successful outcomes is a highly personal model of care. Here at The Lucas Center, we treat every patient as an individual and believe great results come from a personalized approach, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Lucas takes time to understand your goals and answer all your questions. He then creates a customized surgical plan tailored to you, so you can move forward with confidence in the care you’ll receive.
We find that this individualized approach leads to a smooth experience and natural-looking results that boost confidence. See for yourself: reviews for The Lucas Center and patient testimonials speak volumes about Dr. Lucas’s skill, artistry, and personalized approach to plastic surgery.
Scheduling Your Consultation at The Lucas Center
Ready to get more questions answered, discuss options, or book a surgery? Wherever you are in your journey, scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Lucas is a great next step toward confidence!
To book, you can reach out to us online or give us a call at (865) 217-0572 today.