Whether seen on television or the Internet, one can be envious of fabulous cosmetic surgery done on popular celebrities. And as the awareness on cosmetic surgery proliferates, many people are contemplating on having procedures of their own. People are actually trooping to cosmetic surgery clinics for consultations.

Altering one's appearance can be a life-changing experience. That is why one of the major considerations before deciding on a procedure is having an idea of the result, or precisely ?what you'll look like with a button nose?.

Trust computer technology to take care of that concern. For one, there is the ?Virtual Cosmetic Surgery?, a new type of computer-assisted imaging technology that allows prospective cosmetic surgery patients an appreciation of the cosmetic surgery result or a view of the ?after? part of the procedure. The resulting image is actually a mock up of the way one looks ? say, with plumped cheeks, a smaller nose or larger breasts.

Using advanced technology, the computer program imbedded in ?Virtual Cosmetic Surgery? first requires a picture of a patient (either taken with a digital camera, or scanning a photo into a computer). It should be noted that the program's accuracy largely depends on the clarity of the digital image used. The ?before? picture then goes through a process called ?morphing? where the digital image is applied with the aftereffects of the surgery to produce a new image.

While ?Virtual Cosmetic Plastic Surgery? can give an estimate, albeit sketchy, each surgery is different, so one can not exactly predict how every person's body will react to each procedure.

The first batches of these innovative programs, packaged as software, were first made available at exclusive, high-level cosmetic surgery centers. Not anymore, today several versions of virtual cosmetic surgery programs are available for download on the Internet -- and some of them are even free.

One of this revolutionary software is waiting for visitors to MyBodyPart.com ? one that allows a user to go through the ultimate virtual cosmetic plastic surgery and makeover experiences. The MyBodyPart.com version also includes a unique feature in ?online picture rating?.

Called ?Makeover Plus?, it is a freeware imaging software that lets users change their body shape, breast shape, eyes and nose shape, hairstyle, eyeglasses and apply make-up. The offer is initially available for a ?10-day limited-time license for home use only?.

The image transformation process consists of: taking photos of the body and face in frontal views which are then transferred into the computer (or pictures can be downloaded from files); photo retouch; face type analysis and setting control points for hairstyles; eyeglasses; body, breast, eye and nose shaping; selection of hairstyles; selection of eyewear; and, virtual make-up application.

In order to maneuver through the Makeover Plus application quickly and easily, users must understand the navigation process of the program interface. As soon as the Makeover Plus is launched, the Image Workspace screen appears. There are navigational buttons and icons ready for selection by clicking the left mouse button, unless otherwise indicated.