In the Big Brother Age plastic surgery is becoming a status symbol, the evidence of handiwork easily recognised and the surgeon’s name something to be whispered to a complete stranger.

The change from discretion to acceptance to something happily flaunted has been rapid and is perhaps recognition that the huge expense is outweighed by the massively positive feelings the beneficiaries have about themselves after the surgery.

Despite the pain and risks associated with surgery procedures performed by BAAPS registered surgeons have surged by about two-and-a-half times or 250 per cent in the UK since 2001 and not counted are the thousands of cheaper, riskier non-BAAPS alternatives offered.

For a man a shiny red Ferrari is the sign that he has made it but for a woman wanting plastic surgery she wants to be able to laud the name of the Ferrari of surgeons for each procedure she has done whatever the cost.

The following comment is a typical reason women keep going back for more although all that patients want may not be achievable and even plain Jane Bloggs may want plastic surgery.

‘€™€œI’ve always had the sort of looks that turned heads, and I’d like to keep it that way for as long as possible. When I feel glamorous, fit and young, my whole world works.’€™€

Leading cosmetic surgeon Martin Kelly says, ‘€™€œI turn away 20 per cent of those who come to see me. What patients want needs to be achievable. And surgery is not entirely predictable and straightforward: results won’t be perfect every time.’€™€

In the future it may be just as flattering to be asked who our plastic surgeon was as it is flattering now to be asked who did our hair colour and style.