10 MOST COMMON PLASTIC SURGERIES

1. Liposuction
Liposuction is the removal of fat deposits using a tube inserted beneath the skin; fat is then sucked out using a vacuum-like device. The procedure is often performed on the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and upper arms. Of the 323,605 liposuctions performed in 2005, 89 percent of the patients were women. Recovery times range from one to four weeks, but it may take up to six months for all the swelling to go down. This procedure will suck about $2,300 out of your wallet.

2. Rhinoplasty
Commonly called a nose job, rhinoplasty is the reshaping of the nose to make it bigger or smaller, to narrow the span of the nostrils, or to change the angle between the nose and upper lip. Rhinoplasty is popular with men and women -- of the 298,413 rhinoplasty procedures done in 2005, 67 percent were performed on women. People typically need one to three weeks to recover, but they are advised to avoid bumping their noses or getting them sunburned for eight weeks. Rhinoplasty will run about $3,500 for physician's fees.

3- Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammaplasty, is the enlarging of a woman's breasts using saline- or silicone-filled implants. There were 291,350 breast augmentation procedures performed in 2005, making this the top cosmetic surgery procedure among women. The surgery requires only a few days of recovery time, although the ASPS recommends there be no physical contact with the breasts for three to four weeks. Physician's fees for breast augmentation average $3,400.
It makes sense that liposuction and breast enlargement would be at the top of a list of most common plastic surgeries. Read on to find out about other procedures like eyelid surgery and the face lift.

4. Eyelid surgery
In eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, drooping upper eyelids and bags below the eyes are corrected by removing extra fat, muscle, and skin. Women improve their peepers far more often than men -- of the 230,697 blepharoplasty procedures performed in 2005, 86 percent of patients were women. Patients need a week to ten days to recover, but those who wear contacts need two weeks or more before they wear their corrective lenses. Although the procedure doesn't improve your sight, your eyes will look better as you write the $2,500 check for physician's fees.

5. Tummy tuck
Beer guts may be more associated with men, but women by far get more abdominoplasty procedures. The abdomen is flattened during the surgery when extra fat and skin are removed and abdominal muscles are tightened. In 2005, plastic surgeons performed 134,746 tummy tucks -- 96 percent of them on women. Patients need two to six weeks of recovery time, but the wallet will probably need longer to replenish the $4,400 in physician's fees.

6. Face-lift
Is anything actually being raised? Not really, but excess fat is removed and muscles are tightened before the skin is redraped. Besides, face-lift is easier to say than rhytidectomy, the medical name of the procedure. No matter what you call it, a face-lift results in tighter skin on the face and neck. Of the 108,955 face-lifts performed in 2005, women received 90 percent of them. It takes ten days to three weeks to recover, but sun exposure must be limited for several months. Your face will be tighter, but you won't smile when you see the average bill of $4,500 for physician's fees.

7. Breast lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is performed on women who want to raise and reshape their sagging breasts. The procedure removes extra skin and repositions the remaining tissue and nipples. In 2005, surgeons performed 92,740 breast lifts at an average cost of $3,600. Recovery can take a week to a month.

8. Dermabrasion
Although it sounds like a medieval torture tactic, 69,359 people received dermabrasion in 2005. With dermabrasion, wrinkles and facial blemishes are literally rubbed out as a surgeon uses a high-speed, rotating tool to scrape away the top layers of skin, leaving softer, newer layers. Women make up 88 percent of dermabrasion patients. Recovery time is typically two to six weeks, but the face may have a red tint for three months. The actual procedure will leave you a little red in the face, but the cost won't. Physician's fees average $875.
Everyone has heard of tummy tucks and face lifts. Read on to find out more about unusual surgeries such as ear surgery and hair transplantation.

9. Forehead lift
This procedure straightens out lines and droops by removing tissue and tightening the skin and forehead muscles. Getting over this procedure will take you one to three weeks or more, but you will have to stay out of the sun for several months. Women received 87 percent of the 55,518 forehead lifts in 2005. Physician's fees will set you back about $2,400.

10. Hair transplantation
Finally, men have an insecurity they can own! If things are a little too bare on top, a surgeon can reduce the amount of scalp you have or insert clusters of hair (plugs) right into the noggin. Depending on the technique used, several visits to the surgeon over 18 months may be required to restore your mane to its former glory. Men were the recipients of 83 percent of the 47,462 hair transplants in 2005. You'll have more hair, but you may not have much money left for hair gel or mousse after shelling out $4,750 in physician's fees.