Besides this general survey, the society then conducted 60 in-depth interviews with people actively considering surgery. More than 40 percent had been contemplating it for a while, often more than a year. Experts say most patients don't have cosmetic surgery performed on a whim, but only after extensive thought.

As to why they wanted it, most said they felt they could achieve emotional, psychological and social improvement; most claimed they weren't motivated by vanity but rather by a wish to improve a specific feature that dissatisfied them.

As to motivation, about 75 percent said they wanted to gain physical benefits such as improved appearance. Forty-five percent -- more often men than women -- expected some social benefit such as being considered more attractive.