Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery... Except When It Comes to Cosmetic Surgery

There's no denying that the rich and famous have got all sorts of things us regular folk would like. The money, flashy cars and big houses, to name a few, are obviously very appealing, but it seems we're also keen to get our hands on their perfectly formed features too.

There's no denying that the rich and famous have got all sorts of things us regular folk would like. The money, flashy cars and big houses, to name a few, are obviously very appealing, but it seems we're also keen to get our hands on their perfectly formed features too.

Flicking through the pages of a glossy magazine, or watching stars glide down a red carpet at a premiere or awards show, it's easy to look at a celebrity and think, "I wish I looked like that." Perfectly groomed, the famous faces we see often appear more beautiful than our own- thanks in large part to clever make up and having a team of super-talented stylists on 24-hour standby. Not to mention, in the case of many famous females, a good pair of spanx.

It's totally normal to fleetingly admire Beyonce's bottom or Kate Middleton's nose, and most of us go about our daily lives sporting a less-than-perfect body and slightly fuzzy hair without taking too much notice. But what about the men and women who opt to spend thousands of pounds to emulate the looks of a pop star, actor or, in extreme cases, fictional character?

Earlier this week, a man revealed he had undergone 19 cosmetic procedures in 16 years to look more like his hero: Superman. Herbert Chavez has spent over £4,500 on the surgery which includes a nose job, lip liposuction, jaw realignment and even pectoral implants. While his motives for the surgery seem quite noble- he uses his adapted appearance to educate local children on 'good morals'- having cosmetic surgery to look exactly like someone else isn't recommended.

The trend isn't anything new to cosmetic surgery experts. One plastic surgeon told me recently he'd had a surge of requests for Megan Fox's brow line after she was photographed recently at a film premiere, but it's not just facial surgery that's attracting patients to undergoing a transformation. Various experienced surgeons I speak to tell me many patients now mention celebrity body parts they admire during their consultations. Kim Kardashian's curvy rear is mentioned on a near-daily basis, along with Jennifer Aniston's toned tummy and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's slim legs.

So is it a good idea to have surgery to look like someone else?

In a word.. no.

At The Cosmetic Surgery Guide, our advice is to only have cosmetic surgery and aesthetic treatments that leave you looking like you- albeit fresher or, in your eyes, improved. It is totally unattainable and unrealistic to expect any cosmetic doctor or plastic surgeon to make you 'look like' someone famous, and a good practitioner should actually refuse to perform any treatment if this is the case.

Be clear about what you want to achieve, and of course use photographs to illustrate your desires, but be aware that you may be told a specific nose shape or breast implant size isn't right for you as an individual. Think of it as the same way one hairstyle looks great on one person but not on another. A good hairdresser will advise you that style isn't right for your face shape, and this should be the same for surgery. Remember, cosmetic surgery is an intensely personal decision which should be made for you and you alone. It's a decision that must only be made after much thought, research, and understanding of what the procedure/s involve from prep to recovery and beyond.

Cosmetic surgery is not a one-size-fits-all route to happiness, and consultation with a reputable surgeon, doctor or dermatologist to discuss your wishes is absolutely essential. It's also important to remember that the stars you see in magazines and on screen are professionally made-up and airbrushed. It's their job to look fantastic and sell themselves, as well as whatever album, TV show, film or book they're (probably) plugging.

Nobody is perfect and even the richest, most beautiful stars wake up in the morning looking anything-but front cover ready. We all saw those pictures of Katy Perry without her stage makeup, right? And when it comes to those beautiful bodies you see on TV, take comfort in knowing their flawless abs, fabulously bouncy boobs and sculpted bodies probably come from strict diets and even stricter gym sessions with a personal trainer who barks orders at them via a megaphone.

I'll raise a cuppa and a slice of lemon drizzle cake (from my armchair) to that.

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