Despite what plastic surgery critics might think, most women who opt to go under the knife are NOT trying to mold themselves into a human Barbie.

Except this girl.

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Normally when you think varicose veins, one might assume those suffering this condition are overweight, non-active individuals.  But, how about a former Olympic Gold medalist?  TV commentator and world-renowned swimmer, Summer Sanders recently sat down with us to discuss her plight with the condition - as well as her new role to create awareness in treating this ailment.

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Everybody knows that recycling is good for the planet. In honor of Earth Day, we're helping you contribute to the cause, with a look at an “environmentally friendly” cosmetic procedure: fat transfer. This means you can reduce your tummy and reuse that unwanted fat to sculpt your butt or plump your lips.

Skeptical? Have a look at these amazing before-and-after photos from a few of the many aesthetic doctors who help make the world a better (er, more beautiful?) place by recycling fat.

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The ability to remain anonymous inspires many questions on RealSelf that may be embarrassing to ask in the doctor's office. So, in honor of the unofficial holiday that is 4/20, we've rounded up some interesting Q&As for those that occasionally indulge in the use of Mary Jane.

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If you've been subscribing to the notion that a girl needs her beauty sleep, you may want to reconsider. Apparently, your visits to dreamland could be giving you wrinkles.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that sleeping in certain positions—on your side or face-down in the pillow—causes “sleep lines” on your face and neck. After many nights of slumbering in the same position, they can become permanent. Sleeping on your side can also wrinkle your chest. Whatever you call them (“boob lines,” anyone?), they're just as unsightly.

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What’s the best part about going through the hassle of filing your taxes? That beautiful tax return. The estimated average tax refund for 2012 is $2,899. That’s a nice, big amount for something most people view as a bonus check. If you’re considering treating yourself to a cosmetic treatment with that tax refund, here are a few procedures that may suddenly be in your price range.

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From 2010 to 2011, chin liposuction searches on RealSelf were up 22%. Combined searches for all procedures that help chisel the chin and slim the neck have risen 14%.

The highest search increases were seen in...

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For Tara Reid, it's time for reinvention.  The actress is enjoying a resurgence back in the spotlight due to the recent release of American Pie's third sequel, American Reunion.  She's ready to talk about acting again, but NOT about her plastic surgery.

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When you think dental veneers, you probably picture a perfectly straight, white smile. The tooth-toppers have become an increasingly popular way for people to have a smile makeover that leaves them looking ready to shoot a Crest commercial. However, the latest trend in teeth is to leave them slightly imperfect.

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With everybody’s favorite holiday, Tax Day, fast approaching, it’s time to think of some excuses for tax deductions. If professional stripper Cynthia Hess (aka Chesty Love) can write off her breast augmentation as a business expense, I figured I could think of some creative* ways to deduct your own cosmetic procedures on your tax forms.

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Since they were FDA approved in March 2012, "gummy bear" breast implants have received as much (if not more) media attention for their quirky name than for the advances they provide for breast augmentation patients.

So here they are, the 7 most clever Tweets about gummy bear breast implants:

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Spring has sprung and summer is around the corner, the quest for a cure for cellulite is top of mind for many who are looking for smoother skin. A new FDA approved procedure is showing hopeful results. With 8 reviews, Cellulaze currently has a 100% Worth it Rating, which means 8 of 8 community members would do the procedure again. Check out the top 10 Questions from Community members and Answers from RealSelf doctors:

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In Florida last fall, Oneal Morris claimed to be a doctor and lured women into her home with the promise of inexpensive PMAA butt injections. Instead, she injected several unsuspecting posteriors with a mixture of cement, super glue, mineral oil, and Fix-a-Flat tire sealant.

As many as 30 victims received these toxic injections, with devastating results. One was hospitalized with sores, flu-like symptoms, and severe pain. Another, who opted for facial injections, suffered sores and disfigurement and had to undergo an operation (with a real doctor this time) to extract the cement from her face.

Though it was front page news for days, these and other home butt-job horror stories don't seem to dissuade women from seeking out this curve-enhancing treatment.

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If your kids mistake you for the Easter Bunny when you pass out candy-filled baskets tomorrow, it could be time for Botox. Or, it could be because of Botox.

Apparently getting too much Botox between your eyebrows (the “11s”) can cause you to overuse nearby muscles, causing more pronounced “bunny lines.” Aka those little lines that appear at the top of your nose, particularly when you try and scrunch your face like Samantha from Bewitched.

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When opting for plastic surgery, many people choose to keep it on the down-low. Do you need an excuse to use during your healing process? Here are some classics (and some creatives).

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Donald Trump's Miss Universe Pageant Organization flip flopped this past week regarding the decision to disqualify a transgender contestant, Jenna Talackova.  She has now been told she can compete.

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It’s no secret that plastic surgery can be expensive, leaving many potential patients wondering how they might afford it. Financing options are a common topic in our forums and Q&As, so we’ve rounded up some of the most common questions about the subject.

5 common questions about financing cosmetic procedures:

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"I was going to have cosmetic surgery until I noticed that the doctor's office was full of portraits by Picasso."

- Rita Rudner

We've rounded the up the 10 funniest tweets of the week about cosmetic procedures. In no particular order:

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If Latisse can help grow eyelashes, can it grow hair on top of my head, too? That’s a question several individuals have posed to the RealSelf doctors. And it’s no wonder: with an 85% Worth It Rating, Latisse has proven its ability to grow longer, thicker eyelashes. Unfortunately, the doctors don’t recommend putting it on your scalp… yet.

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If you haven’t heard yet, singer Carnie Wilson recently spoke about her decision to have a second weight loss surgery. While 94% say gastric bypass was worth it for them, Carnie goes to show that it’s not a permanent solution for all.

After losing 150lbs from gastric bypass twelve years ago, Carnie gained most of it back in the past 6 years. Her decision to get the Lap Band in January 2012 has sparked many -- including us -- to ask questions about how and why someone would need a second weight loss procedure.

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Oh, Clay Aiken.  The disappearing, albeit very talented, American Idol runner-up is making a comeback, so to speak.  He recently appeared on Bravo's, "Watch What Happens Live," and admitted to host Andy Cohen he had chin lipo done.

While playing the show's game "Plead the Fifth," Aiken said the following (after being asked if he had work done):

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The Hunger Games movie has inspired a number of fashion items, from workout wear to jewelry to nail polish. But as much as high fashion plays a part in The Capitol lifestyle, so does plastic surgery and body modification.

It’s not too surprising then that a few medi-spas and beauty salons are offering another Hunger Games themed makeover -- body tinting.

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Have you heard about the latest holiday? Today is National Cleavage Day, a day when women everywhere are supposed to embrace and showcase their assets to "solemnise women's independence and power in all facets of life, from their careers to their relationships to their own destiny" (that's an actual statement from the folks at Wonderbra).

We got curious, and wondered which states are most interested in boosting their bosoms. It turns out the state most interested in serious cleavage enhancement is probably not flaunting anything.

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Imaging spending thousands of dollars on your breasts, only to find out at decade later that you have breast cancer. That's what happened to Lynn D. After a mastectomy and reconstruction Lynn is sporting her third pair of implants, which says are "fabulous."

Check out her story from Project Beauty:

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We talk a lot about promising cosmetic procedures with positive reviews, but not all treatments are crowd-pleasers. Whether it's because of the results, price, or pain, there's a group of procedures on RealSelf that the majority says are Not Worth It.

Here are six of the most poorly-reviewed treatments

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“My body is a temple, and my temple needs redecorating!” says Joan Rivers. That may be true, but much like legitimate interior design, all of that redecorating doesn’t come cheap. So if you want your temple to resemble Joan’s, expect to pay nearly $100,000.

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How old do your hands look? According to Good Morning America, this is a growing concern for many. After all, what good is concealing the wrinkles on your face if your hands still give away your true age?

Fortunately, making hands look younger is standard practice for many cosmetic doctors. Here are three common hand rejuvenation techniques, and some amazing before-and-after photos to show off the results:

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Guest post by Neal Schultz, MD

In the spirit of "you can't make this kind of stuff up," these myths (as either questions or allegations) are part of the daily misinformation that I hear from my patients or DermTV viewers. And my commitment to disseminating correct and useful info just gets deeper and more important the more these are repeated. If accepted as true and used to guide your behavior they'll not only mislead you, but they could actually hurt you!

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If you want an inside look at plastic surgery, tune in to the Real Housewives of...Anywhere.  This week, it's the ladies of Orange County.  These women never stop sharing the myriad of work and contraptions they go through to keep up that OC profile.

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If plastic surgery were free, would you be more inclined to get it? In Brazil, where saying “I had some work done” is about as shocking as “I went to the dentist,” many doctors are offering free or severely discounted cosmetic procedures to those who can’t afford them.

“The philosophy behind the more than 220 clinics across Brazil that treat...thousands of maids, receptionists, waitresses and others is simple: Beauty is a right, and the poor deserve to be ravishing, too.” says The Huffington Post.

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