However, these shows do not paint a realistic picture of the plastic surgery world or paint an accurate assessment of patient expectations. In the shows, the surgery makes people beautiful, improves relationships, and perfects people's lives. This is an unrealistic expectation.

In fact, spending weeks in pain, and months healing, can be detrimental to a relationship.

The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimates an increase of 444 percent in the number of procedures since 1997.

Edward A. Pechter, a plastic surgeon who practices in Valencia, said when he opened 24 years ago in Santa Clarita, he focused on reconstruction work. However, the past few years has seen an increase in aesthetic surgery with 400 to 500 new patients a year. Much of this is repeat clients looking for different procedures.

He said there are several new things in the field of plastic surgery.

"Liposuction's been around for about 20 years," he said. "Now it's the most common operation nationally."

Hu said that requests for breast augmentation have changed. Twenty years ago, a woman in her mid-30s would request the procedure. Now a woman requests the procedure in her mid-20s.

Many women feel that looking good will improve their chances of obtaining a promotion or landing a good job. This is not true. While having the right look may sway the decision between two equally qualified professionals, plastic surgery will not blind an employer to a person's lack of social skills, toxic communication blunders, emotional abuse, or lack of skills.

Although there are those who would happily provide any surgery requested, irregardless of the emotional and physical repercussions, there are surgeons who are concerned about the reasons people go under the knife.

Many people undergo weight loss plastic surgery to improve the way they look, and to improve relationships. Teresa Morris, a psychologist in Valencia, said:

"While they feel good about it, it doesn't improve relationships."

She does not advocate having plastic surgery done to please someone else.

"Turning them away ... is the best thing," she said.

Unfortunately, few people will listen to the surgeon's advice. Many people just turn away from the experts and head to someone who does not have their best interests in mind. This increases the chances of them becoming a victim of a well-meaning, but inexperienced, clinic.

Pechter adds that people often have unrealistic expectations of what the surgeon can do for them. A common misconception is that liposuction is a cure for being overweight. This is not true. While plastic surgery can reduce a person's weight, they will start gaining weight immediately if they have not learned how to control their eating habits.

However, neither doctors deny that cosmetic procedures will help make a person feel better about themselves.

Hu said that plastic surgery should improve self-confidence.

"Surgery should not just heal the body," he said. "It should buoy the spirit."