More cosmetic plastic surgery operations are carried out in the UK than any other European country. And the trend is on the rise. In fact, the number of cosmetic procedures done in the UK rose by more than 30 per cent last year, according to non-profit organisation the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Surprisingly too, a large number of men and teenagers are going under the knife to achieve the body beautiful. But while you can get everything from implants in your bottom to a belly-button re-shaping done, it’s the good old-fashioned procedures that remain firm favourites - with the exception, perhaps, of Botox. Take a look at the UK’s five most popular procedures.

Breast Augmentation

It worked wonders for Pamela Anderson’s career, but years later still top of the cosmetic wish-list is breast augmentation - a surgical procedure used to enlarge breast size or change their shape.

Breast implants are also used to reconstruct breasts after surgery, for example in breast cancer patients.

Taking only about an hour, the surgeon creates small cuts in the skin underneath your armpit, nipple and breast before sliding in the implant (usually made from silicone) and stitching up the cuts.

It all sounds pretty quick and easy, but be warned: it’s extremely painful, will cause some scarring and requires about a week off work for recovery and a month without exercising. You also have to avoid exposing your cuts to the sun for a year to prevent ugly scarring.

And of course, there are risks: your breasts may not look exactly as you hoped they would, or you may lose feeling in the breast. There’s a small chance that the scar tissue will contract painfully, causing the implants to change shape and need replacing too!

And, as with every surgery, there’s a slight risk of blood loss, infection, the sewn-up cuts splitting, and the implant creasing. You may also lose your ability to breast feed.

Liposuction

Looking to get rid of those fatty deposits that exercise just won’t shift? Well you’re not alone. Liposuction has been around for ages, yet it’s still on the increase. In fact, it increased by a massive 90 per cent last year alone.

During liposuction the fat cells are removed permanently, completely changing your body shape, but it doesn’t stop you from gaining weight in the future: liposuction is not a substitute for healthy eating and exercise. It also doesn’t get rid of cellulite, although you may see a slight improvement.

The surgical treatment can last up to two hours if you have a lot of fat to be removed. The surgeon will usually make a small cut in the skin, break the fat cells beneath the skin using a metal tube, suck it out with a pump or syringe and stitch up the cut. A week off work is advised - you’ll be swollen, bruised and wearing special elastic clothing for that time anyway.

As with any surgery, there are risks - liposuction can lead to numbness, nerve damage, scarring and uneven or bumpy skin in the treated area. Depending on the surgical technique used, you may also experience internal and external burning.

Botox

Botulinum toxin is the miracle treatment that launched a thousand Tupperware-esque parties, and its popularity hasn’t fluctuated since, with actors and bored housewives alike flocking to zap the wrinkles around their eyes, forehead, brows, and even lower face and neck.

Botulinum toxin is actually a prescription-only medication (not for cosmetic use) that doctors, nurses and dentists can prescribe. One type though, Vistabel, is licensed for cosmetic purposes to treat lines around the eyes.

Botox is injected into the skin in tiny amounts. It works by blocking the nerve signal between the brain and the facial muscles in that specific area (without affecting the rest of the face) so the wrinkled area does not move when you laugh or frown, making it look smoother.

The area will be tender and will need to be treated gently (and not rubbed or massaged) for a day after the treatment, and it takes a couple of weeks for the full effect of the Botox to be visible. It’s also not permanent, and you’ll need to repeat the procedure every 3-4 months for continued results.

There are also risks: you may not like the results, and there’s a slight chance you may end up with drooping eyelids or eyebrows, or blurred vision.

Luckily, these effects will only last a few months until the Botox wears off.

And if you’re still not convinced, several surgeons are now using Botox to treat headaches and migraines. (Read More: Botox Prevents Migraines).

Rhinoplasty

The most popular procedure among men and teenagers, nose reshaping is also on the increase. The surgery changes the shape or size of the nose, either for cosmetic purposes or to increase breathing ability.

The operation usually takes about two hours, depending on how much surgery is required for the desired result. The surgeon will either use the open technique (making cuts on the outside of the nose) or the closed (cutting from the inside of the nose). Surgery may include breaking and re-positioning the nose, or re-shaping the cartilage.

Your bone and cartilage structure limit how much you can change your nose shape, so a possible risk is that it may not look exactly as you imagined it, leading to disappointment. There could also be complications as with any surgery, including infections and nosebleeds.

There may also be bumps, small deformities and tiny red spots on the skin (burst blood vessels) that will take up to a year to settle and may even be permanent and require further surgery to correct. There is usually no visible scarring.

You’ll need to stay in bed on pain-killers for the first day after the operation and it will be a couple of weeks before all the bandages and, stitches and splints are removed and the swelling and bruising disappears - in fact, a very slight swelling will remain for a few months.

Facelifts

Anti-ageing procedures continue to be big business, especially eyelid surgery, brow lifts and of course, facelifts. All three continue have grown in popularity by more than 40 per cent year-on-year for the last few years.
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, smooths the neck and jawline for a more youthful look, but it comes at a price: the surgery takes up to six hours, almost always under general anaesthetic.

The treatment comprises the surgeon cutting the skin along the hairline behind the ears, pulling the skin up and backwards, removing fat and securing the skin in its new position using stitches. The surgery usually results in some scarring, usually hidden by the hair, although endoscopic techniques can prevent this.

You’ll need to spend the night in hospital and take at least two weeks off work, after which time the stitches can be removed. Risks (besides pain and scarring!) include rough skin, hair loss, uneven-looking eyes or facial features and in very rare cases nerve damage - possibly causing numbness or paralysis of the facial muscles, sometimes permanently. But many people say the risk is worth it - the surgery usually makes you look about ten years younger.

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