even noticing our skin; then one day we wake up
and notice we just got older. I remember that day!

We might begin to look tired with bags under our
eyes, our eyelids look a bit droopier and our cheeks
sag a little more than they use to. Perhaps you're getting
tired of your thin lips or large nose or maybe you just want
a fresher or more glowing look.

Unlike years past, more and more people are looking into
the option of plastic surgery for making their faces look younger,
contouring noses and eyes or getting rid of the extra fat pockets
that just won't go away.

Did you know that according to the American Society
of Plastic Surgeons, men accounted for about 1.2 million
cosmetic procedures in 2004? It's a known fact that
men don't want to look any older than women do.

According to the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons (ASPS) the top 5 cosmetic procedures were:

For women:
1 Liposuction
2 Breast Augmentation
3 Eyelid Surgery
4 Facelift
5 Chemical Peel

For Men:
1 Nose Reshaping
2 Eyelid Surgery
3 Liposuction
4 Hair Transplantation
5 Breast Reduction

The new five-year trending data shows cosmetic procedures
are up 24 percent from 2000.

So is cosmetic surgery right for you?

Well, I can't speak for everyone but there are a few things
to note on what to expect.

First and foremost, cosmetic surgery is "surgery" and it
hurts ...ouch! There is swelling and puffiness immediately
after the procedure, so don't expect to look beautiful coming
right out of surgery.

Understand that a nose job or a face lift won't necessarily
make you beautiful and it probably won't change how the
world feels about you. In fact, patients have been known to
feel a sense of disappointment after their procedures. Because
of this it's extremely important to understand how much of a change
you can expect. Changes could vary from subtle to extreme.

If you're considering plastic surgery try asking yourself these
things first:

Q: Why do I want cosmetic surgery? Who am I doing this for?
A: If it's because your co-worker says you have a
big nose or if you think looking more beautiful for
your husband he help him pay more attention to you then,
you're a poor candidate.

Pleasing your co-worker or hoping your husband will
be more attentive are poor reasons. A new face, nose
or body won't change how others feel about you and if
it does it will be temporary.

Q: Can I afford This?
A: Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by health
insurance unless they are health related.
If you have to scrape together the thousands of dollars it
costs to have a procedure done then you're probably better
off looking into non-surgical or less invasive treatments such
as Botox, Chemical peels or microdermabrasions

Q: What if the results are not what I expected?
A: There's always the chance that expectations won't be met.
Be sure you are ready financially and emotionally to undergo more treatment if the results failed to meet your expectations.

As with any high cost, risky procedure, be sure to think it through.
Don't act on a whim. Discuss the procedure extensively with your
doctor as well as with relatives and friends. Get some outside
opinions. If you can, talk with people who have had the same
procedures done that you are looking into. Talk with them about
their experiences and get advice from them on their
recommendations.

If you're still interested in pursuing cosmetic surgery be sure
you are in good health and free from any major health disorders
such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.