Dr. Aboutanos Reveals Her 5 Most Popular Procedures of 2025
There's something exciting about looking back on a year and seeing what resonated most with patients. For board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos, 2025 was defined by a clear shift toward a natural aesthetic and a more contoured body—reflected in these 5 procedures that consistently topped the list in her Richmond plastic surgery practice.
1. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty has become one of the most sought-after procedures among Dr. Aboutanos' patients, as it is effective at addressing several common abdominal concerns at once—loose skin, separated muscles, and persistent fat.
The appeal of this procedure goes beyond aesthetics: pregnancy often leaves women with diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles that no amount of core work can repair, while medication-based weight loss frequently results in excess skin that obscures the contoured figure patients worked so hard to achieve.
How It Works
During abdominoplasty, Dr. Aboutanos removes excess skin from the lower abdomen and repairs the underlying muscle structure, creating a firmer, flatter midsection. Richmond tummy tuck patients appreciate that Dr. Aboutanos positions incisions low on the abdomen for easy concealment and creates natural-looking belly button placement that harmonizes with their newly contoured shape.
Recovery typically involves about two weeks away from work and a gradual return to exercise over six weeks, but patients consistently report that the transformative results—finally seeing the toned abdomen they've been working toward—make the recovery process worthwhile.
2. Liposuction
Liposuction's enduring popularity comes down to one simple truth: even dedicated efforts at diet and exercise can't always eliminate stubborn fat deposits in certain areas. Dr. Aboutanos frequently sees patients who maintain healthy lifestyles but struggle with pockets of fat on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms that simply won't budge. What makes liposuction particularly appealing is how it fits into patients' busy lives—the procedure offers precise body contouring with relatively quick recovery, and most patients with desk jobs return to work within a week.
How It Works
Modern liposuction techniques allow Dr. Aboutanos to sculpt multiple areas during a single procedure, creating smoother contours and more balanced proportions throughout the body. The versatility appeals to patients who often combine liposuction with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck or breast augmentation, to achieve comprehensive body transformation with one recovery period.
Small, strategically placed incisions remain inconspicuous, and compression garments worn for at least two weeks help support healing and optimize the newly contoured shape. While liposuction permanently removes fat cells from treated areas, maintaining results requires commitment to a stable weight—something Dr. Aboutanos discusses thoroughly during consultation.
These popular procedures help patients achieve the confident, contoured look they've been working toward—with results that look natural and feel right for their body.
3. Breast Implant Exchange
Dr. Aboutanos sees many patients whose aesthetic goals have shifted since their original breast augmentation, and sometimes significantly! Some patients want to downsize to smaller, more natural-looking implants that better suit an active lifestyle or professional environment, while others are updating their implants to take advantage of newer technology that offers more natural feel and movement. Some are also addressing complications such as capsular contracture, implant rupture, or changes in breast position that can occur over time.
Read more: Can you get capsular contracture in just one breast?: 10 Capsular Contracture FAQs, Answered
How It Works
Dr. Aboutanos typically uses the original incision sites during implant exchange to minimize additional scarring. Depending on individual circumstances, she may also recommend combining the exchange with a breast lift to reposition the breasts and address any sagging that has developed since the original augmentation.
Recovery from breast implant exchange generally mirrors the initial augmentation experience, with most patients returning to work within one to two weeks and resuming full activities within six weeks.
4. Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
The surge in breast lift procedures may be a result of more women choosing to enhance their existing breast tissue rather than automatically opting for implants, as well as a growing number of people losing weight with GLP-1s who seek procedures to address excess skin. The increased demand for breast lifts isn’t new, as they’ve been on the rise since at least 2024.
How It Works
Modern surgical techniques result in more natural-looking outcomes with minimal, well-concealed scars. Dr. Aboutanos tailors each breast lift to the patient's unique anatomy, whether performed alone or combined with breast augmentation for those who desire both improved position and enhanced size.
Recovery typically involves one to two weeks of downtime, with most patients transitioning to a soft bra after two weeks and gradually returning to exercise over four to six weeks. The ability to achieve a more youthful breast appearance while maintaining natural breast size makes mastopexy one of Dr. Aboutanos' most requested procedures.
“I wanted to express my appreciation to Dr. Aboutanos and her office staff as well as her surgical staff for the wonderful and professional atmosphere that was provided before, during and after my surgery! I will make sure that I tell everyone about you and your office.”
—5-star Google review
5. VirtueRF Microneedling + UltraClear Laser
While surgical procedures dominate the list of 2025 trends, the popularity of VirtueRF microneedling with UltraClear laser treatments deserves special recognition. Dr. Aboutanos optimizes the two technologies by combining them into a comprehensive skin rejuvenation treatment—our go-to choice for Richmond patients seeking firmer, more youthful-looking skin without surgery or extended downtime.
How It Works
VirtueRF microneedling combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy and LED light therapy, using 36 tiny gold-plated needles to create microchannels while delivering energy to deeper skin layers. This dual-action approach stimulates robust collagen and elastin production, addressing fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture irregularities, acne scars, and other concerns that typically require more invasive treatments.
UltraClear laser uses unique cold fiber laser technology to precisely vaporize damaged outer skin layers, without requiring the week-long recovery associated with traditional CO2 laser resurfacing (a better choice for patients with very advanced signs of aging, especially those already undergoing facelift surgery). This FDA-cleared treatment stimulates new collagen production and healthy skin cell turnover, tackling sun damage, uneven texture, fine lines, and pigmentation concerns. Another key advantage: UltraClear is safe for all skin types, including deeper skin tones that must be cautious with many other laser therapies.
Trend to Watch: Contoured Bodies
There is one common trend Dr. Aboutanos saw in 2025, and expects to see more of in 2026: the desire for a more contoured body. Whether through surgical body contouring or advanced non-surgical treatments, Richmond patients are seeking out procedures that enhance their natural anatomy, tighten and tone their physiques, and help them look and feel like the best version of themselves.
This emphasis on natural-looking results aligns with broader shifts in aesthetic preferences. Patients want to look refreshed and refined rather than obviously “done.” They seek procedures that complement their lifestyle and can be maintained through healthy habits.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you're considering any of these popular procedures and want to learn what they could achieve for your unique concerns, Dr. Sharline Aboutanos would be happy to meet with you. As a female plastic surgeon Richmond patients trust for safe, naturally beautiful results, Dr. Aboutanos takes the time to understand your aesthetic goals and concerns, perform a thorough evaluation of your anatomy, and recommend the most appropriate options.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Aboutanos at her Richmond office, call (804) 355-3410 or contact her online.