Women today are doing more than ever, while continuing to raise the bar of expectation. Boundaries blur as they wear the face of the working professional, mom, colleague, wife and more. They're not settling. They're broadening their scope.

And with this multi faceted life is an increasing desire to project outwardly everything they've accomplished and feel on the inside. This has prompted a growing trend towards plastic surgery - to not only correct what women don't find appealing about their face and body but also reverse signs of aging that simply don't match an energetic spirit and youthful drive.

Dr. Michael Ciaravino, renowned Houston physician ranking among the nation's top plastic surgeons, sees this first hand.

"I have women of all ages coming in growing numbers to enhance their appearance. They know what they want, and they are pursuing it with great confidence," said Dr. Ciaravino, who specializes in breast augmentation and revisions, tummy tucks and facial rejuvenation treatments.

As many plastic surgery procedures become less invasive with the help of new products and technology, they become more mainstream - and less taboo. Women can slip away for lunch and return with the glowing results of any number of face and body rejuvenating procedures that take just minutes to perform. The results are more natural and the recovery more rapid.

Dr. Ciaravino says that among the most popular procedures at his internationally recognized facility are breast augmentation and revision surgeries, and minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedures - including the latest in hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, Juvedermä, which seamlessly smoothes facial wrinkles and folds.

While performing a host of "head to toe" enhancement procedures hailed for their results at his Houston facility, Dr. Ciaravino is best know for his minimally invasive and resoundingly successful breast augmentation and revision procedure - performing among the highest number of breast augmentation surgeries in the country.

"Women no longer have to feel guilty and let stereotypes force them into a category. They can be successful professionals, great moms and anything else, while also looking like the attractive woman they want to be. That's why the number of breast augmentation and revision surgeries we do each year continues to increase," said Dr. Ciaravino.

"This comfort level, combined with an improved technique that we've developed, dramatically reduces recovery time and the once invasive nature of a breast augmentation procedure - making it easy for them to move towards a change," he added.

With over a decade of experience in plastic surgery, Dr. Ciaravino developed a breast augmentation technique unparalleled in results and recovery. His procedure entails a smaller incision, directed lighting, restricted bleeding and minimal disturbance to the chest muscles and breast tissue. Using a long lasting pain medication and muscle relaxer, the procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and allows for immediate movement and resumption of activity.

According to Dr. Ciaravino, part of the success of his procedure is the care he takes in the pre surgical preparation and understanding of his patient's overall health and lifestyle.

"We encourage a healthy lifestyle overall. Age is less of a concern than the patient's health," said Dr. Ciaravino.

"For women contemplating a plastic surgery procedure - particularly breast augmentation - we strongly recommend a balanced diet, reduction in heavy chest exercises and elimination of smoking. We're concerned about the entire person, not just the procedure for which they have come. We consider the condition of their skin and breast tissue, as well as what would be appropriate for their lifestyle. And I believe that's why my patients are so pleased with the results," he added.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), both breast augmentation and reconstruction have been proven in numerous studies to have psychological and physical benefits for women who choose the procedures - noting increases in these procedures every year.

Also behind the surge in breast augmentation and revision surgery patients is the re-introduction of the silicone breast implants, which now provide more options for women seeking breast enhancement.

While Dr. Ciaravino continues to perform the majority of his breast augmentation procedures with saline implants, he believes having options helps his patients and provides greater freedom in assessing the risks and benefits of each implant for a patient's body type and situation.

"There are some cases in which silicone implants are preferable. These women are generally thin with very little breast tissue. In such cases, a silicone implant is used and may be placed either under the chest muscle just as saline implants or on top of the muscle, which is rarely recommended with saline implants," said Dr. Ciaravino.

Dr. Ciaravino said that while the ages of his patients range as broadly as their reasons for pursuing a cosmetic change, the main denominator is a desire for a more natural look, an enhancement that is noticeable yet subtle - raising eyebrows but leaving friends and colleagues wondering, "did she, or didn't she?"

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were more than 9.2 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2004 - an increase of 5 percent over the previous year and up 24 percent from 2000. Among the top five minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures were Botox® (3 million), which shared its place with Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane® and Juvederm, chemical peel (1.1 million), microdermabrasion (859,000), laser hair removal (574,000) and sclerotherapy (545,000).

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the ASPS, approximately 300,000 women had breast augmentation in 2005 and nearly 58,000 had breast reconstruction.