The human body is never perfect.
Every one of us has flaws, whether minor or major.
And most people have some physical characteristic that they would change if they could.
Of course there are options.
Cosmetic surgery has made startling leaps in the last decade alone and what was once impossible to change is now entirely within the realm of possibility.
But before you run out to augment those breasts or reduce that nose, carefully consider whether cosmetic surgery is really right for you.
A public face for your personal side No matter what kind of surgery you are considering, there are some factors that remain universal when considering any cosmetic procedure.
The first thing you should be asking yourself is: who am I doing this for? Is it for your husband, boyfriend or spouse, or is it for you? Of course becoming more beautiful will make other people in your life happier.
You'll probably find that a more beautiful you, devoid of nature's flaws, attracts more stares on the street, finds him or herself better treated in the workplace and inspires more sexual interest at home.
But you need to carefully assess whether or not you'll be comfortable with the newer more attractive you.
A startling metamorphosis into a true beauty might make you seem alienating to some and intimidating to others.
These factors can drastically change your social interactions and you should be aware that changing your body can have a rippling effect on the people in your life.
All the same, there is only one person who will greet you every morning in the mirror.
It's that person who you need to consider most when contemplating a cosmetic procedure.
Polonius's famous words "To thine own self be true" are the perfect mantra to exercise when considering a cosmetic surgical procedure.
At the end of the day it's only about how you want to look and how you'd like to feel.
Accomplishment in the absence of flaws Of course you have reasons for even considering making changes to your body.
But not adoring every detail of your face or figure isn't enough of an impetus to place you under the knife.
When considering a cosmetic procedure, you need to ask yourself some personal questions.
What are my goals in life, and will changing the way I look contribute or deter to my accomplishment of those goals? You already accept that our society is epitomized by superficiality.
It's no wonder celebrities are some of cosmetic surgery's biggest advocates and customers.
Celebrities' success is generally dictated by their appearance, and as such they must remain attractive to the public.
Thus cosmetic surgery lies at the heart of a celeb's professional interests.
But depending on your profession and lifestyle, being more attractive may not be enough of an asset to justify a costly cosmetic procedure.
Do a little cost benefit analysis and see.
If you work from home, no one is going to notice those perfect new breasts.
If you still want them, you know your intentions are pure.
If you're an intern at a news station who aspires to be an anchor, you may want to consider having Botox to smooth creases in your face.
Have you ever seen an unattractive person behind a news desk? A news channel that hired an anchor with glaring physical flaws would quickly find itself slipping behind in the ratings.
But if you embody the right look there are few other qualifications needed to read from a teleprompter.
Thus for the aspiring young news anchor, a little Botox can be the necessary ingredient to accomplish your dreams.
Learning to fly in face of risk: Magellan, Neil Armstrong, Evil Knievel; these men all took risks to accomplish their dreams.
Like any other surgical procedure, cosmetic surgery is also accompanied by its share of physical risks.
These vary depending on the individual procedure, but common complications can include: skin death, asymmetry, seroma and all kinds of errors wrought by a shaky surgeon's hand.
Face it, in life there are no guarantees and mistakes are made.
While a simple procedure like Botox is virtually risk free, deciding you want to have yourself cut to look like Michael Jackson's twin involves accepting the possibility of waking up to a terrible new you.
There's also the problem of sheer disappointment.
Your new nose may be fine, but it might not look exactly the way you envisioned it would.
This is significantly more upsetting than receiving a bad haircut.
Be sure you understand the risks before undertaking any cosmetic procedure.
It's important to weigh these risks carefully into your considerations.
Ask yourself, what can possibly go wrong? Be informed and willing to take that chance.
Remember, a cosmetic procedure is elective.
You should only elect to undergo the procedure if you feel you're making a safe and conscientious choice.
If you feel you are, then improving the way you look will only enrich your life.