But Dr Dixit says, "There are a lot of myths surrounding breast surgery: people think it causes breast cancer, negatively affects breast feeding, etc. These are completely unfounded, pure myths." In regard to the other complaints, he says the entire field of cosmetic surgery has changed dramatically in recent years. "The surgery is now so much easier and more reliable. The grade of silicone is better; the understanding of the anatomy of the breast has improved; we now know how the implants will look after some years."

And he adds, "The quality of the implants has improved; the silicone won't leak in case of a rupture. This is just one of countless improvements breast augmentation has seen as a treatment."

Dr Gupta points out that while there are technically some risks like infection, "The practical understanding -- following a strict super sterile technique and protocol -- and improvements in the quality of implant material have made them almost 100 percent safe."

Remember, though, that it is not all fun and games. Nearly all patients require several operations during their lifetimes -- implants should be replaced approximately once a decade. In drastic cases, as many as seven or eight procedures are carried out on a single patient.

Common reasons for follow-up surgery are punctured or burst implants, asymmetric appearance and implant removal because of pain or incompatibility with the body.

Also, there is no way to avoid scarring under the breasts. Though some women heal quickly, for others it is a terrible problem. In a survey conducted in the United States, about 7 percent of patients were unhappy with the procedure as a result of scarring.

Caption: Hollywood starlet Tara Reid opted for reasonably sized implants, but had to go under the knife again when her first breast job was botched up. Photograph: David Livingston/Getty Images

Also see: 8 foods for your skin

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