Take a walk down Newbury Street or hit the chic bars on Boylston and you'll see some of New England's most beautiful people. Boston is a city full of college students, young professionals and a buzzing social scene. Like other major metropolitan areas, "see and be seen" is a way of life.

The emphasis placed on physical appearance has sparked an increase in the number of cosmetic surgery procedures in Boston. From breast augmentation to face lifts and microdermabrasion to Botox, men and women alike are constantly trying to improve their appearances. It's no surprise to locals to hear that more and more people are turning to Boston cosmetic surgery for reprieve in common problem areas.

Within our network of board-certified surgeons, Physicians Marketing Group has dozens of credentialed surgeons in the Massachusetts area. These doctors are responsible, in part, for the dramatic growth in cosmetic procedures over the last few years. Did you know that there were 43 times more body lifts performed in 2004 as there were in 2000? With the continuous pressure to look fabulous, combined with decreased costs for cosmetic surgery and the increased availability of surgical procedures, it isn't surprising that Beantown ranks among the top cities for plastic surgery.

The success of your surgery will depend on a variety of factors. The doctor you choose, the type of surgery in relation to your current physical state, and your expectations will all play a part in the final outcome. It is important to manage expectations. Going into the process assuming that cosmetic surgery will deliver a flawless body is unrealistic. Hoping to curvier, slimmer, or even a few years younger, though, is perfectly reasonable. Talk candidly with your doctor before deciding to follow through with the procedure.