Aesthetic Trends and Real Data with Erik Haines of QSight at Octane 2026
Release Date: 02/17/2026
Plastic Surgery Untold
Kicking off another forward-thinking conversation at Octane, this episode dives into how AI is reshaping the patient journey long before someone ever steps into the office. Sugam Aurora, founder of Ponce AI, breaks down how smarter, on-demand patient education is tackling one of the biggest challenges in aesthetics today: misaligned expectations, limited time, and inefficient consults. Instead of replacing the provider relationship, this approach strengthens it. By educating patients ahead of time, AI helps remove confusion, hesitation, and guesswork so consultations can focus on strategy,...
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The latest episode of Plastic Surgery Untold brings us to Octane 2026 with Erik Haines of QSight, one of the clearest voices in aesthetic industry data and trend intelligence. This conversation zooms out from individual practices and looks at what’s actually happening nationwide, using real transaction-level data to track patient behavior, spending, and where aesthetics, wellness, and weight loss are headed next. Erik breaks down how GLP usage has shifted from explosive growth to a steadier plateau inside aesthetic practices, and why that doesn’t mean opportunity is shrinking. Instead,...
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At Octane, we sat down with Dr. Roy Kim, one of the leading voices in artificial intelligence within aesthetics, to talk about where AI is actually headed in 2026 and beyond. What’s changing right now is not hype, it’s usability. AI is moving from novelty tools into systems that genuinely improve how surgeons run practices, communicate with patients, and make better decisions faster, without losing the human element that matters most. Dr. Kim breaks down how personalization is becoming the real game changer. Not personalization as a buzzword, but AI that understands your business, your...
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Season 5 continues at Octane 2026 with Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler. Breast enhancement is no longer just about augmentation. At Octane 2026, we sat down with Dr. Kamakshi Zeidler, one of the leaders redefining what modern breast enhancement looks like, and why 2026 is shaping up to be a major turning point. This conversation dives into how preservation-based techniques and injectable technologies are changing everything from recovery time to long term results, especially for patients who want natural outcomes without aggressive surgery. Key takeaways from this episode: Breast enhancement is...
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The latest episode of Plastic Surgery Untold kicks off Octane 2026 with an in depth conversation on the rapidly evolving world of weight loss, wellness, GLP medications, and peptides featuring Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, founder of DrWell. As demand for medical weight loss continues to grow, this episode breaks down what providers and patients actually need to understand to stay safe, compliant, and effective. Dr. Kaplan shares how DrWell helps physicians navigate the increasingly complex wellness landscape, from pharmacy sourcing and regulatory compliance to advertising restrictions and medication...
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Season Five of Plastic Surgery Untold launches at Octane 2026 with an in depth conversation on where facial rejuvenation is headed next, featuring Dr. Daniel Gould, MD, PhD. As facelift surgery continues to evolve, this episode focuses on how modern techniques are moving beyond simple skin tightening and into precise, anatomy driven restoration designed to create natural, long lasting results. In this episode, the conversation covers: How facelift surgery has shifted from tension based techniques to deep plane and preservation focused approaches The role of detailed anatomic mapping,...
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The latest episode of Plastic Surgery Untold breaks down what surgeons really mean by the term gummy bear implant.These are highly cohesive gel implants designed to reduce rippling, hold their shape, and still feel soft and natural—earning their nickname because the gel sticks together like a gummy bear candy. What sets them apart is the balance of structure and softness. Today’s implants offer projection and fullness while staying flexible, making them an especially valuable option for patients who’ve lost breast volume after major weight changes, including those experiencing “Ozempic...
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For years, the largest silicone or gummy bear implant available capped at 800cc. We break that down in this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold. It left patients who wanted, or needed, more fullness with only one option — saline implants, which often sacrificed softness for size. Now, with the arrival of Mentor Enhanced breast implants, patients have the option to go beyond 800cc — all the way up to 1450cc — while still enjoying the benefits of a gel implant. Originally developed for breast reconstruction, these implants are FDA-approved for that use and can also be used off-label in...
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Not every patient is a candidate for a traditional tummy tuck, and that’s where the reverse tummy tuck can be a game-changer. In this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold, Dr. Franco breaks down why this procedure is becoming so popular, especially for patients on their weight loss journey. This approach focuses on lifting and tightening the skin above the belly button with an incision hidden discreetly under the breast fold. For the right candidate, it creates beautiful, natural results without the need for a lower abdominal scar. Key highlights include: Removes excess skin above the belly...
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Breast implants have come a long way, and on this episode of Plastic Surgery Untold we’re breaking it all down. From saline implants to today’s 6th generation cohesive gel implants, the options available now are more versatile than ever. Each type comes with unique advantages, and the right choice depends on your body, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. Saline implants offered safety and flexibility with volume adjustments, but also came with firmness and rippling. Fifth generation gummy bear implants introduced highly cohesive gel for softness and shape, reducing rippling and improving...
info_outlineThe latest episode of Plastic Surgery Untold brings us to Octane 2026 with Erik Haines of QSight, one of the clearest voices in aesthetic industry data and trend intelligence. This conversation zooms out from individual practices and looks at what’s actually happening nationwide, using real transaction-level data to track patient behavior, spending, and where aesthetics, wellness, and weight loss are headed next.
Erik breaks down how GLP usage has shifted from explosive growth to a steadier plateau inside aesthetic practices, and why that doesn’t mean opportunity is shrinking. Instead, access points are changing, and aesthetic care is becoming more integrated with weight loss, body contouring, and long-term wellness. The data shows that while patients may not always be purchasing GLPs directly through practices anymore, they are still investing heavily in complementary treatments that help them look as good as they feel.
Key takeaways from this episode:
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GLP spend within aesthetic practices has stabilized, but patient demand has not declined
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Weight loss is now fully embedded in modern body contouring conversations
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Post-weight-loss concerns like skin laxity and volume loss are driving aesthetic treatments
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Wellness, longevity, and aesthetics are merging into a single patient journey
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2026 will continue pushing practices toward a “look good, feel good” model backed by real data
This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to understand where aesthetics is actually going, not just where the hype says it’s headed. Real numbers, real trends, and a grounded look at how practices can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.