Top 10 Plastic Surgery Procedures in the UK

This guide covers the 10 most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the UK — what each involves, who is a suitable candidate, typical costs, recovery timelines and what to look for in a qualified surgeon. All procedures listed are performed by Mr Jag Jagadeesan (FRCS Plast, BAAPS member, GMC 5208914) at his Birmingham private clinics, making him one of the most comprehensive plastic surgeons practising in the UK today.

Mr Jagadeesan is a plastic surgeon in Birmingham with over 22 years of experience in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He holds NHS consultant roles at University Hospitals Birmingham, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust. In private practice he operates from Spire Little Aston Hospital, Hopwood Clinic, The Westbourne Centre and The Vesey Private Hospital.

Important:

All procedures described in this guide should only be performed by a surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery. Verify credentials at gmc-uk.org before booking any consultation.

How to Find the Right Plastic Surgeon in the UK

Before exploring the most popular procedures, understanding how to identify a properly qualified surgeon is essential. The cosmetic surgery industry in the UK includes practitioners with widely varying levels of training. Here is what to verify:

GMC Specialist Register

Every doctor practising in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council. For plastic surgery specifically, the surgeon must be on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery — not just general registration. Check at gmc-uk.org using the surgeon’s GMC number. Mr Jag Jagadeesan’s GMC number is 5208914.

BAAPS or BAPRAS membership

Full membership of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) requires formal plastic surgery training and adherence to rigorous professional standards. Both publish searchable public member registers.

Procedure-specific experience

Ask how many procedures of the specific type you are considering the surgeon performs each year. Request before and after photographs from real patients with a similar starting point. Consistency across a portfolio of cases is more meaningful than a handful of exceptional results.

Consultation quality

A thorough consultation covers your goals and what is realistically achievable, the recommended technique and why, alternative options, all risks and complications specific to your case, expected recovery and a full cost breakdown. No ethical surgeon will pressure you to proceed at the first appointment.

Accredited facility

Surgery should take place in a CQC-registered hospital or equivalent accredited facility. Confirm where surgery will be performed, what anaesthetic provision is in place and what post-operative monitoring is included overnight.

The Top 10 Plastic Surgery Procedures in the UK

The following 10 procedures are among the most performed in the UK each year. Mr Jag Jagadeesan offers all of them at his Birmingham private clinics. Click any procedure name to read the full dedicated guide including candidacy criteria, recovery timeline, costs and risks.

1. Breast Enlargement (Augmentation)

Breast enlargement is consistently one of the most requested cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK. It uses implants (silicone or saline) or fat transfer from another area of the body to increase breast size and improve shape and symmetry.

Good candidates are women who feel their breasts are disproportionately small relative to their body, who have lost breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss, or who have significant asymmetry. Candidates should be at a stable weight and not planning future pregnancies.

Recovery typically requires 1 to 2 weeks off work and 6 weeks before return to strenuous exercise. Implants are not lifetime devices and may require replacement over time. UK costs range from approximately £4,500 to £8,000 depending on implant type and clinic location.

Full guide: breast enlargement in Birmingham — procedure types, implant options, recovery and costs.

2. Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty)

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to reduce breast size and relieve the physical symptoms associated with large breasts, including chronic back and neck pain, shoulder grooving and skin irritation under the breast fold.

Unlike most cosmetic procedures, breast reduction is frequently considered medically necessary and may be eligible for NHS funding where documented physical symptoms have not responded to conservative treatment. In private practice, costs range from approximately £6,000 to £9,000.

Recovery requires 2 to 4 weeks off work. A supportive bra is worn for 6 weeks and strenuous activity is avoided for 6 to 8 weeks. Final results are visible at 3 to 6 months as swelling fully resolves.

Full guide: breast reduction in Birmingham — NHS eligibility, surgical techniques, recovery and costs. Also see our national guide: breast reduction surgeons in the UK.

3. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

A breast lift reshapes and repositions the breast without significant tissue removal. It is most appropriate for patients whose primary concern is drooping (ptosis) rather than size. The procedure removes excess skin and reshapes the remaining breast tissue to restore a firmer, more elevated profile.

Breast lift is frequently combined with augmentation where patients want both a lift and increased volume, or with reduction where drooping accompanies large breast size. Recovery is similar to breast reduction at 2 to 4 weeks off work with 6 weeks in a supportive bra.

UK costs range from approximately £5,500 to £8,500. As with all breast surgery, results can be affected by future pregnancy or significant weight changes.

Full guide: breast lift in Birmingham — mastopexy types, candidacy and recovery.

4. Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening the underlying abdominal muscles. It is one of the most transformative body contouring procedures available and is particularly effective for patients following pregnancy or significant weight loss who have been left with loose, overhanging abdominal skin that exercise cannot address.

Options include mini abdominoplasty (lower abdomen only, no navel repositioning), full abdominoplasty (entire abdomen with navel repositioning and full muscle repair) and extended abdominoplasty (abdomen and flanks). Mr Jagadeesan frequently combines tummy tuck with liposuction for a more comprehensive result.

Recovery requires 2 to 4 weeks off work and 6 to 8 weeks before strenuous activity. UK costs range from approximately £6,000 to £11,500 depending on procedure type. Tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure — patients should be at or near their goal weight before surgery.

Full guide: tummy tuck in Birmingham — mini vs full, recovery timeline, costs and risks. Also see our national guide: tummy tuck surgeons in the UK.

5. Liposuction

Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits from targeted areas of the body including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back and chin. It is not a weight-loss procedure but a body contouring technique for patients who are at a stable, healthy weight and have localised fat that resists diet and exercise.

Modern liposuction techniques allow precise removal of fat while preserving surrounding tissue. When combined with a tummy tuck or other body contouring procedure, it produces more comprehensive and proportionate results than either procedure alone.

Recovery varies by the extent of the area treated but typically requires 1 to 2 weeks off work and compression garments for 4 to 6 weeks. UK costs range from approximately £3,000 to £7,000 depending on the number of areas treated.

Full guide: liposuction in Birmingham — techniques, areas treated, recovery and costs.

6. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery addresses excess skin, puffiness and drooping in the upper or lower eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin that can hood over the eye, causing both a tired appearance and sometimes functional obstruction of vision. Lower blepharoplasty removes or redistributes fat from under-eye bags.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most precise facial procedures and produces significant visual improvement with relatively modest recovery compared to more extensive facial surgery. It is frequently combined with brow lift surgery where both brow position and eyelid laxity contribute to a tired or heavy appearance.

Recovery requires 1 to 2 weeks off work as bruising and swelling resolve. UK costs range from approximately £3,000 to £6,000 depending on whether upper, lower or both lids are addressed.

Full guide: eyelid surgery in Birmingham — upper vs lower blepharoplasty, recovery and costs.

7. Facelift and Necklift

A facelift addresses sagging skin, deep creases and loss of facial volume in the mid and lower face. A necklift targets loose skin and muscle bands in the neck and jawline. The two procedures are most commonly performed together as they address a continuous area of facial ageing.

Modern facelift techniques reposition the deeper facial structures (SMAS layer) rather than simply pulling skin, producing natural-looking and longer-lasting results. The goal is refreshment rather than an overtightened appearance — patients should look like a younger version of themselves rather than someone who has had visible surgery.

Recovery requires 2 to 3 weeks before returning to social activities as bruising and swelling resolve. Full results are visible at 3 to 6 months. UK costs range from approximately £7,000 to £15,000 depending on the extent of the procedure.

Full guide: facelift and necklift surgery in Birmingham — techniques, recovery and what to expect.

8. Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)

An arm lift removes excess skin from the inner upper arm, addressing the loose, hanging skin that commonly develops after significant weight loss or with ageing. Liposuction is frequently combined with the excision to remove any residual fat deposits and refine the arm contour.

Arm lift leaves a scar along the inner arm from the armpit to the elbow, positioned to be concealed when the arm is at rest. The procedure produces a significant functional and aesthetic improvement for patients distressed by loose arm skin, particularly those who have experienced major weight loss.

Recovery requires 1 to 2 weeks off work and 4 to 6 weeks before strenuous upper body activity. UK costs range from approximately £4,500 to £7,000.

Full guide: arm lift in Birmingham — brachioplasty candidacy, scarring, recovery and costs.

9. Post-Bariatric Body Contouring

Following significant weight loss through bariatric surgery or sustained lifestyle change, many patients are left with excess skin across multiple areas of the body including the abdomen, arms, thighs, back and breasts. Post-bariatric body contouring addresses these areas in staged surgical procedures tailored to each patient’s priorities and overall health.

Mr Jagadeesan specialises in post-bariatric reconstruction and has extensive NHS experience in this area. The staged approach ensures each procedure is performed safely with adequate recovery time between stages. Common combinations include tummy tuck with thigh lift in one stage and arm lift with breast procedure in a subsequent stage.

Costs vary significantly depending on the procedures involved. Patients should be at a stable weight for at least 12 months before proceeding with any body contouring surgery after weight loss.

Full guide: post-bariatric body contouring in Birmingham. Also see our national guide: post weight loss surgery in the UK.

10. Scar Revision and Skin Lesion Removal

Scar revision minimises the appearance of scars from injury, previous surgery, burns or skin conditions. Techniques range from surgical re-excision and repositioning of the scar line to non-surgical treatments including steroid injections, silicone therapy and laser. The appropriate technique depends on the scar type, location and the patient’s skin characteristics.

Skin lesion removal addresses moles, cysts, lipomas, benign skin tumours and skin cancers. Mr Jagadeesan’s NHS background in oncological reconstruction gives him particular expertise in skin cancer removal in Birmingham with reconstruction where required.

Both procedures are typically performed under local anaesthesia as day cases. Recovery is straightforward and most patients return to normal activities within a few days.

Full guide: scar revision in Birmingham and skin lesion removal in Birmingham.

About Mr Jag Jagadeesan — Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Birmingham

FRCS(Plast)  |  BAAPS member  |  BAPRAS member  |  ISCFS member  |  GMC 5208914  |  22+ years experience

Mr Jag Jagadeesan is a consultant plastic surgeon in Birmingham with a practice spanning plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He trained in the UK and Australia with specialist expertise in craniofacial surgery, microsurgery and post-bariatric reconstruction. He holds the FRCS(Plast) from the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow and a Master of Advanced Surgery in Craniofacial Surgery from Macquarie University, Sydney.

His NHS roles include Consultant Plastic Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) from 2017, Consultant Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust from 2021, and Consultant Plastic and Sarcoma Reconstruction Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust from 2017.

Qualifications

• MBBS, Stanley Medical College, India (2000)
• MRCS, Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow (2004)
• MSc Wound Healing and Tissue Repair, University of Wales (2009)
• FRCS(Plast), Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow (2014)
• Master of Advanced Surgery, Craniofacial Surgery, Macquarie University, Sydney (2017)

Professional memberships

• General Medical Council — Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery (GMC 5208914)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
• British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
• British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
• International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons (ISCFS)

Private clinics in Birmingham

• Spire Little Aston Hospital, Little Aston Hall Drive, Sutton Coldfield, B74 3UP — tel: 0121 580 7119
• Hopwood Clinic, Hopwood Grange, Birmingham Rd, Hopwood, Birmingham, B48 7AJ
• The Westbourne Centre, 53 Church Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3SJ — tel: 01214 560880
• The Vesey Private Hospital, Reddicap Trading Estate, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7BU

Contact

General enquiries: info@mrjagjagadeesan.co.uk

Book a consultation with Mr Jag Jagadeesan

Read more about Mr Jag on the About page

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon in the UK: A Checklist

Before booking a consultation with any plastic surgeon, use the following checklist to verify they meet the minimum standards for safe, qualified practice:

• Check GMC number on the Specialist Register at gmc-uk.org — confirm the specialty listed is Plastic Surgery
• Verify BAAPS membership at baaps.org.uk or BAPRAS membership at bapras.org.uk
• Ask specifically how many procedures of your type the surgeon performs per year
• Request to see before and after photographs from real patients with similar anatomy
• Confirm surgery takes place in a CQC-registered hospital with appropriate anaesthetic and intensive care support
• Ensure the consultation is unhurried, covers risks in full and involves no pressure to book
• Confirm what the fee includes — consultation, surgery, anaesthesia, overnight stay and follow-up appointments
• Check independent reviews on platforms such as Google Reviews, iWantGreatCare or PHIN

Related Guides

For detailed information on specific procedures and how to find the right UK surgeon, visit these dedicated guides:

• Breast reduction surgeons in the UK — costs, NHS eligibility, surgical techniques, recovery and FAQs
• Tummy tuck surgeons in the UK — abdominoplasty types, costs, recovery and FAQs
• Breast uplift surgeons in the UK — mastopexy guide
• Post weight loss surgery in the UK — post-bariatric body contouring guide

Plastic Surgery in the UK: Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the UK?

The 10 most popular plastic surgery procedures in the UK are breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facelift and necklift, arm lift (brachioplasty), post-bariatric body contouring, and scar revision. Mr Jag Jagadeesan performs all 10 at his Birmingham private clinics.

Who is the top plastic surgeon in the UK?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan (GMC 5208914, FRCS Plast, BAAPS member) is among the most comprehensively qualified and experienced plastic surgeons in the UK. With over 22 years of experience spanning NHS and private practice, he offers all major plastic surgery procedures at his Birmingham clinics. Consultations are available from £150.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for tummy tuck?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan performs tummy tuck surgery in Birmingham as one of his principal procedures. He offers mini tummy tuck, full abdominoplasty and combined liposuction. He is FRCS(Plast) qualified with GMC registration 5208914.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for breast reduction?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan is highly regarded for breast reduction surgery in Birmingham. He is a full BAAPS member with FRCS(Plast) and 22 years of experience. For a full guide to breast reduction in the UK, see our dedicated breast reduction surgeons guide.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for body contouring?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan offers a full body contouring service in Birmingham including tummy tuck, liposuction, arm lift, thigh lift and post-bariatric body contouring. He specialises in comprehensive staged approaches for patients following significant weight loss.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for eyelid surgery?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan performs eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in Birmingham for upper and lower lid correction. He is FRCS(Plast) qualified and practises at Spire Little Aston Hospital and Hopwood Clinic.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for facelift?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan performs facelift and necklift surgery in Birmingham using advanced techniques that reposition deeper facial structures for natural-looking, long-lasting results.

How much does plastic surgery cost in the UK?

Costs vary by procedure. As a general guide: breast augmentation £4,500 to £8,000; breast reduction £6,000 to £9,000; breast lift £5,500 to £8,500; tummy tuck £6,000 to £11,500; liposuction £3,000 to £7,000; eyelid surgery £3,000 to £6,000; facelift £7,000 to £15,000; arm lift £4,500 to £7,000. Consultations with Mr Jagadeesan are available from £150 to £200.

Is plastic surgery covered by the NHS?

Most cosmetic plastic surgery is not covered by the NHS. Reconstructive procedures including breast reconstruction after cancer, post-bariatric body contouring and scar revision following injury may be eligible for NHS funding where there is documented medical need. Eligibility varies by NHS Trust and individual circumstances.

How do I verify a plastic surgeon’s credentials in the UK?

Check the GMC Specialist Register at gmc-uk.org using the surgeon’s GMC number and confirm the specialty listed is Plastic Surgery. Verify BAAPS membership at baaps.org.uk or BAPRAS membership at bapras.org.uk. Both organisations publish searchable public member registers. Do not rely on self-reported credentials alone.

What is the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon in the UK?

Plastic surgery is a recognised surgical specialty on the GMC Specialist Register requiring formal training and fellowship qualification (FRCS Plast). Cosmetic surgery is not a protected title in the UK and any doctor can use it regardless of training or qualification. Always verify the surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for Plastic Surgery before booking any procedure.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for post-bariatric body contouring?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan specialises in post-bariatric body contouring in Birmingham for patients following significant weight loss. He designs staged procedures covering abdomen, arms, thighs and back based on each patient’s priorities and overall health.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for arm lift?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan performs arm lift (brachioplasty) in Birmingham to remove excess upper arm skin. He frequently combines this with liposuction for a more comprehensive result. It is one of the most commonly requested procedures for post-weight-loss patients.

Who is the best plastic surgeon in the UK for scar revision?

Mr Jag Jagadeesan offers scar revision surgery in Birmingham and skin lesion removal including skin cancers. His NHS background in oncological reconstruction gives him particular expertise in complex scar and lesion cases.

How do I book a consultation with a plastic surgeon in Birmingham?

To book a consultation with Mr Jag Jagadeesan, submit your details here at mrjagjagadeesan.co.uk/appointment. Consultations are available at Spire Little Aston Hospital, Hopwood Clinic, The Westbourne Centre and The Vesey Private Hospital.

Take the Next Step

Whether you are considering breast surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation or a reconstructive procedure, choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon is the most important decision you will make. Mr Jag Jagadeesan (FRCS Plast, BAAPS member, GMC 5208914) performs all 10 procedures in this guide at his Birmingham private clinics, with over 22 years of surgical experience in NHS and private practice.

To book a consultation, visit the appointment page.