Plastic surgery was something that women never spoke about – they just got themselves a new look and pretended that Fairy Godmother paid them a visit. But now plastic surgery is far from being a secret – it’s now a status symbol that ladies like to flaunt like a new designer handbag or the latest pair of stilettos.

Attitudes have changed about cosmetic surgery. Going under the knife has become acceptable and a new pair of breasts or a surgically carved nose is something to brag about. Breast augmentation or a facelift performed by a sought-after surgeon is increasingly worn as a badge of honor.

Women boast, over lunch with their friends, about having a Norman Waterhouse facelift, and if their surgeon uses the Lockwood technique for his abdominoplasty, then that's considered a state-of-the-art tummy tuck to be proud of.

Despite the pain, discomfort and possible complications associated with surgery, procedures performed by BAAPS registered surgeons alone have increased by more than 240 per cent in the UK since 2001.

BAAPS surgeons performed 6,156 breast augmentations last year, although thousands more women opted for one of the many cheaper, riskier non-BAAPS alternatives on offer.

Liposuction increased by 90 per cent in 2006, and eyelid surgery and facelifts increased by almost 50 per cent. The UK is also the largest user of Botox in Europe.

Just like a man may flaunt his new shiny red Ferrari, a woman likes to flaunt her new plumped-up pout thanks to lip augmentation surgery; washboard-like tummy courtesy tummy tucks; voluptuous breasts after breast augmentation surgery; or, a younger, attractive looking face courtesy a brand new facelift.