In this modern world of instant gratification, it would be nice to see people take the advice "you get what you pay for" a little less optimistically. For the mere price of $4859, not only can you get butt implants, but seemingly, an amazing new confidence that mirrors J-Lo's. Cosmetic surgery seems to be less about improving upon one or two genetic imperfections and more about trying to drastically defy age and solve insecurities overnight.

The prevalence of cosmetic surgery in the U.S. is evident by the 44% increase in cosmetic procedures performed from 2003 to 2004. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that over 11 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2004, costing just shy of $12.5 billion. And if you think that's ridiculous, consider the 465% increase in total number of cosmetic procedures performed since 1997.

How much is too much?

For some celebrities it seems that their first cosmetic surgery is like a gateway drug, leading to a myriad of procedures. Often-times celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers and Goldie Hawn no longer look like themselves, let alone human. If you consider that a face lift averages $6000, a nose job $4000, and a forehead lift $3000, the multiple procedures celebrities undergo aren't cheap - at least not to those of us who live in a place called reality.

Speaking of reality, even reality TV has jumped on the cosmetic surgery bandwagon. On shows like "Extreme Makeover" and "The Swan," ordinary people unhappy with their appearance undergo numerous cosmetic procedures in the hopes of transforming their bodies and self-esteem in a matter of weeks. MTV's "I Want a Famous Face" moves further from reality, featuring participants who go under the knife to look like famous celebrities including Elvis, Britney Spears and Pamela Anderson. Clearly the so-called "reality" of reality television is becoming far-fetched, and let's face it, disturbing.