Dr. Robert Winfield, director of University Health Services, said young women are especially vulnerable to societal pressures.

"We know from a lot of research that women are profoundly affected by media images," he said. "Because our society is somewhat intolerant of people who look different, there is a lot of pressure."

According to statistics published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of Americans who had plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes in 2001 was 8,470,363, almost three million more than in 2000. Women made up 87.9 percent of that number.

While the most common cosmetic surgeries for college students are rhinoplasties - also known as nose jobs - and breast surgeries, Winfield said inquiries about breast augmentation are not very common. However, breast augmentation is not unheard of in college age women.

"There are some women in the 18 to 25-year-old range who would have breast enlargement, but not a lot, because the late teens is still a little early," said Dr. Edwin Wilkins, associate professor in the sector of plastic surgery.

Sharon Snider of the US Food and Drug Administration said the FDA doesn't regulate plastic surgery but does regulate the companies who make implants.

"The companies' labeling says they are safe for women 18 and older," Snider said.

Yet, Wilkins said that younger patients have to be aware of what cosmetic surgery will and won't do for them.

"There is a huge emphasis in American society on breasts, and patients have to be careful not to view breast surgery as a cure for all of their life's ills," Wilkins said. "Having an enlargement will not change your life."

However, some patients disagree. Katie*, a University student who underwent breast augmentation surgery last year, said that she is much happier post-surgery.

"I've always been an athlete and worked out a lot. I am a healthy person, but at the same time I never felt I was getting the results I wanted. My proportions were always off," she said. "For the first time in my life, I now actually feel comfortable looking at myself."

Katie said she thinks there are right and wrong reasons for having augmentation.

"Really think about why you're doing it. Make sure you're doing it for yourself and not for someone else," she said.

Wilkins added that the best candidates for cosmetic surgery are those who understand the limitations of the procedures.

"I think certain types of cosmetic surgery are very reasonable for people in their late teens and early 20s as long as they are clear on what it will do."

Wilkins said that cosmetic surgery is not a cure for low self esteem.

"It will not reverse a very negative body image. It is not an antidote for a lack of self respect. These are issues with all aesthetic surgery patients," he said.

Ellie*, a University student who recently underwent a rhinoplasty, primarily for aesthetic reasons, said her nose had always made her very self-conscious.

"My nose wasn't really that bad, but it always really bothered me," she said. "Afterwards, people noticed a difference but couldn't put their finger on what it was."

She added that even though her surgery was very subtle, her self esteem has skyrocketed.

"I was always self conscious, I'd turn my face away and I wouldn't want to talk to people," she said. "I definitely feel like I'm more confident now. I think it has helped me a lot, to be honest."

Ellie said that she was especially aware of the risks associated with her surgery because her mother had had the same procedure and was not happy with the results.

Wilkins added that even if a patient brings a surgeon pictures of what he or she wants, not all surgeries come out the way patients expect.

"It's very hard to precisely imitate an exact nose shape," he said. "Surgical techniques are not that precise. You may not get Brad Pitt's nose."

Ellie said she didn't bring her surgeon pictures of what she wanted, but pictures of what she definitely knew she didn't want.

"I wanted it very subtle so I showed him what I didn't want, all the things that looked really fake," she said.

However, Wilkins said that besides the risk of not achieving the exact look they want, patients must also be aware of the complications that are often associated with surgeries.

"There is no lifetime guarantee with a saline breast implant," he said. "Women at age 20 have better than a 50-50 chance of having a breast deflation at some time in their lives. Not only is it possible you may need more surgery later, it may even be likely."

Katie said that while she has not had any problems with her implants so far, her surgery did have one complication.

"I did lose some feeling. I only have about 85 percent sensation," she said.