With more than $10 billion spent last year by Americans on cosmetic surgery, we can't help but wonder why? Answers may vary from person to person, but the phenomenon of surgical appearance modification continues to grow at an exponential rate in the United States. As Americans, we seek to find perfection and excellence in everything we do, whether that includes surgically altering our natural bodies to achieve a specific appearance or personality. This is especially true among women as they account for 91% of all cosmetic procedures. So why, in such a developed and civilized society, do we perform surgical procedures that the outside world may consider immoral and taboo? The answer is simple. We are a society that relies on the approval of others to truly believe that we belong. This idea is prevalent in tabloids, reality TV shows, and an ever-increasing fear of the effects of aging on the human body. The facial-paced lifestyle and ever-changing style of American culture is one of the main causes of the success of the cosmetic surgery industry. These procedures are more common among women because, as a society, we place a high value on women's beauty. With high expectations, women often feel like they don't respect the status quo and turn to cosmetic surgery to feel more comfortable in their bodies. The 5 most common cosmetic surgeries are breast augmentation, nasal reshaping, eyelid surgery, liposuction and facelift procedures. If we have the technology and skills to make someone feel more comfortable, people will be open and willing to participate in these procedures. Cosmetic surgeons also offer a variety of cosmetic procedures that can be performed in a doctor's office. That's... middle of paper...... a long period of time. These surgeries allow them to continue to be at their best and stay in the industry. If celebrities lose the image they once had, they are abandoned and a new, more beautiful person takes their place. In a cutthroat environment like this, people will do whatever it takes to gain a competitive advantage over everyone else. One of the main reasons why celebrities can maintain perfection is the access they have to the best doctors and finances to perform these cosmetic procedures. It's no coincidence that the most expensive and skilled cosmetic surgeons are found in places like Beverly Hills, California, where celebrities reside. The accessibility and convenience of these surgeries have deemed them socially acceptable and when we see celebrities doing these things it becomes all the more intriguing to the average person..