Cosmetic surgery was once the preserve of the rich and famous but now it's becoming so acceptable that Britons are expected to spend £659 million in 2007 on everything from face lifts to boob jobs. Procedures on the face and neck are the most popular choices, according to analysts Mintel.

But breast enlargements are close behindthey're up 150 per cent compared to 2003 with about 26,000 operations carried out last year.

Louise Braham, development director of the Harley Medical Group, believes TV shows featuring cosmetic surgery and its popularity among celebrities, such as Jordan and Sharon Osbourne, have helped fuel the trend.

"Publicity has taken the taboo and scariness away. People now feel more confident about exploring what's available and have more disposable income to fund it.

"People want to turn the clock back and they're happy to opt for cheaper fixes such as quick, easy non-surgical procedures such as Botox which don't involve recovery time."

Those opting for cosmetic help generally fall into two categories, she says people who want what they regard as a life-changing operation to alter a feature which they believe is affecting their confidence and self-esteem, and those who want to refresh their looks for vanity reasons.

This year there will be some 690,000 cosmetic surgery procedures carried out in Britain, up 40 per cent on last year.

But increasing popularity doesn't mean it's risk-free.

Consultant plastic surgeon Dr Judy Evans, a former council member of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), says some people ignore the fact that any surgery carries risks and have unrealistically high expectations of what can be achieved.

"Ideally, people should regard surgery as putting right a feature which is maybe making them extremely self-conscious or seriously affecting their lifestyle.

"It should not be a fashion statement because going up three cup sizes will not necessarily change your life."

And people should do their homework before choosing a surgeon or centre, she stresses.

"Most reputable clinics don't use adverts in the back of newspapers encouraging people to come along.

If you see any adverts with pictures of before and after' be very wary of going there.

"Don't rush into anything. Even for a minor operation there can be serious risks involved and a hasty decision could result in irreparable damage."

She recommends waiting until you find a surgeon you feel comfortable with so you can talk honestly about what you hope to achieve and why.

"A reputable surgeon would want to see you twice before agreeing to surgery. This gives you time to consider the operation and whether you're doing it for the right reasons."