Cosmetic surgery is so common these days that people almost think of it as a very comprehensive version of going to a spa or salon, even though it does involve things like anesthesia, cutting, and healing time. It didn't used to be that way. Plastic surgery used to be more about restoring the appearance of someone who had been disfigured by accidents, surgery, or burns. Sure, there was some plastic surgery that was cosmetic in nature, but not nearly to the extent that it is today. Why do so many people get plastic surgery? There are numerous reasons.

1. They have lost massive amounts of weight and have loose skin. Some people almost consider this to be "part 2" of gastrointestinal bypass surgery, which often results in hundreds of pounds of weight loss.

2. They are worried that they are "losing their looks." There are plenty of people who honestly believe that visual signs of aging are inherently bad and must be fought at all costs. In many cases this means trading an older appearance for a weirder appearance, particularly if they are unable to know when to stop having plastic surgery.

3. They feel like it is a professional requirement. Women in particular who try to make it in the entertainment business believe that they must have a certain look (lineless face, small waist, big breasts, and big pouty lips) to even be in the running for jobs in entertainment. That's one reason why young Hollywood personalities are starting to look more and more alike: they all have the same nose, breasts, waists, and legs.

4. They feel unattractive after childbirth. the so-called "mommy makeover" pushed by ambitious cosmetic surgeons plays on the insecurities of someone who has had children and "failed" to bounce back the way people like Heidi Klum and Angelina Jolie (who have all the money in the world for a fitness trainer, nutritionist, and cosmetic surgeon to help out) have.

5. They think their partner will like them better afterward. This is probably the worst reason to get plastic surgery. The standard line is "I'm doing it for me," when there are clearly cases where they are doing it in hopes of winning the attention of someone else. Cosmetic surgeons who turn these people away are admirable, but they also know that another surgeon is waiting in the wings to take advantage of the patient's insecurities.

There are probably dozens of reasons why people get plastic surgery. Some of those reasons are emotionally healthier than others. It is important for the person seeking plastic surgery to know the real reason they are doing it, and whether that reason has to do with themselves or with a perception that others find them unattractive.