Something that many people want is to look like a model. These models might look great on camera, but when you see them in person the majority of them are just skinny, malnourished people. The same goes for movie stars. However, that doesn't stop many people who aren't in the limelight from altering their appearance in many different ways.



Yes, there's diet and exercise, but those two things can't help people who think their breasts are too small or their nose is too big – that's where plastic surgery comes in. The role of plastic surgery in popular culture has grown exponentially over the past few decades, and there are many people who obviously look like they've had some work done.

It's been said that money can buy anything, and that's certainly true in the case of plastic surgery – yes, the many procedures that fall under this immense category can give you, physically, what it is that you're looking for. However, you have to be aware of the risks, too. Even the wealthiest celebrities have had some plastic surgery problems.

You certainly don't want to be amongst the people who, once the bandages have been taken off, gasp in horror at what they see. This doesn't happen as much as it used to, because before there wasn't the advanced computer technology that surgeon have today.

During your consultation (and provided that the surgeon is up-to-date on the latest technological advances – which he or she should be) a picture of your face will be inputted to a computer graphics program that will show you what you will look like after you've healed from the surgery. The programs use high-tech measurements, so if there's something you aren't too sure about, the surgeon can adjust the results accordingly.

So, what are the risks associated with this kind of surgery? Well, first of all, there is the risk of infection – this doesn't necessarily happen during the procedure, but afterwards. Say, for example, that you had work done on your face. That area will need to be kept bandaged for a couple of weeks while it heals, and the area will need to be kept clean. While changing the bandages, there is a significant chance that infection can set in if hands aren't properly washed, etc.

The second kind of risk is the issue of anesthesia. While some procedures allow the patient to be awake the entire time, there are others that requite the patient to be totally "put under". Some patients react well to the anesthesia, while others do not.

The third most prevalent risk is that of nerve damage. You might have seen the commercial where Joan Rivers mentions that she can't feel her face – and she probably can't. If you have extensive work in any area, the chances are good that the area might look nice, but feel perpetually numb. So, if you're considering having work done, make sure that not only do you have the necessary finances, but you also can afford to take the time off from work.