Cosmetic surgery refers to a variety of operations performed to change the way a body part looks. The surgery is highly specialised and involves careful preparation of a person's skin and tissues, precise cutting and suturing techniques, and minimising scarring.

Cosmetic surgery in often undertaken when a person has a negative view of their own body image and a desire to improve the way they look.

Studies have revealed that of people who are considering cosmetic surgery, 85% are women, and 80% of cosmetic surgeries are performed on women (www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=29880; www.aafprs.org/media/stats_polls/m_stats.html).

For information on various cosmetic procedures, such as abdominoplasy and collagen injections, see www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/Cosmet...