If you're like most of us, you've looked in the mirror and wished the woman (or man) looking back were more attractive. Wider of eye or straighter of nose or smoother of skin. Younger, maybe. You'd love to, as people euphemistically say, "get some work done." But the idea just seems, well, extreme. You're not up for some drawn-out, horribly painful process that keeps you out of work for six weeks. You have a job. You're no socialite or Hollywood star. And no one is paying for you to fly to L.A. or New York for a reality show makeover. So you've made an uneasy truce with your flaws. Realistically, it's all you can do . . . right?

Absolutely wrong, says plastic surgeon Jon Mendelsohn, MD, co-author along with colleagues William Truswell, MD, and Kriston Kent, MD, of Your Complete Guide to Facial Cosmetic Surgery (Addicus Books; 2004; ISBN: 1-886039-70-4; $19.95). He insists that the "drastic plastic" shows that are so popular right now have given us a sensationalized, unrealistic perception of what cosmetic surgery is all about.

"Real people really do have cosmetic surgery every day," he says. "Not the --yikes, my dog won't recognize me anymore-- overhauls that you see on The Swan or Extreme Makeover. Most opt for minor procedures that make a surprisingly big difference in their overall appearance. Yes, they can usually go back to work in a day or two, and no, they don't need to max out their credit cards to take up temporary residence on the West Coast. There are plenty of well-qualified surgeons in mid-sized cities and even small towns."

In Your Complete Guide to Facial Cosmetic Surgery, Mendelsohn and his co-authors take a matter-of-fact tone that reassures readers of how simple many of the most sought-after procedures are. (Many of them can be done right in the doctor's office.) They offer tips on how to choose a qualified facial cosmetic surgeon, tell you what to expect before and after the surgery, and take the mystery out of such popular procedures as rhinoplasty (a nose job), otoplasty (pinning back the ears), and newer treatments such as mini-facelifts and Botox injections.

One hundred forty-five before-and-after pictures--along with detailed explanations on everything from exactly what happens to that excess facial skin to how long it will take before you can show off the new you--make this book invaluable to anyone who wants to know what to expect from the first consultation through recovery.

If you think you might like to have facial plastic surgery but aren't quite ready to make the leap, Mendelsohn offers the following tips:

• Do your research. Plastic surgery is an art that's been greatly perfected over the years. (For instance, the "wind tunnel" look of pre-1970s facelifts is a thing of the past, thanks to today's far more sophisticated procedures.) You probably have many more options than you think you have. Your Complete Guide to Facial Cosmetic Surgery is a good starting point. Remember, knowledge is power. Even if you decide not to have anything done, it will be an informed decision, not one based on misconception and fear.
• Think small. Just because you can have, say, a facelift, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, and lip augmentation doesn't mean you should. Subtle results are usually best. You still want to look like you, only better. If you're unsure about what you need, ask your surgeon to identify the simplest procedure that will have the most impact on your appearance. "It is amazing how much difference a small procedure can make," says Mendelsohn. "Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a 30-minute outpatient procedure. Yet it can make a person look years younger, not to mention more awake and energetic."
• Credentials matter. Geography doesn't. Make sure that your surgeon has been trained specifically for the procedure you are considering. Check to see that he or she is certified by organizations such as the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) or the American Board of Plastic Surgery. And of course, make sure that your surgeon is kind, warm, and professional. Just don't feel that you have to fly to a major metropolitan area to find these qualifications.

"Most people don't realize that some of the best cosmetic surgeons are right in their own backyards," says Mendelsohn, who practices in Cincinnati, Ohio, (his co-authors practice in Northampton, Massachusetts, and Naples, Florida). "Some of the most qualified and experienced surgeons I know have opted to move to areas of the country where they can enjoy a better quality of life while practicing state-of-the art medicine."

Finally, says Mendelsohn, be realistic. Plastic surgery will not solve all your problems or instantly transform you into a supermodel or Hollywood star. What it should do is boost your self-esteem and confidence--and that can go a long way toward improving your life.

"Plastic surgery is about improvement, not perfection," he says. "When you feel better about your appearance, you are more likely to have more meaningful relationships at home, at work, and with friends. If your nose or your wrinkles or your sagging eyelids really bother you, why not do something about the problem? Cosmetic surgery is a gift you give yourself. It's not for celebrities or reality show contestants, it's for real people with normal lives and dreams and hopes and fears. People just like you."

Your Complete Guide to Facial Cosmetic Surgery (Addicus Books; 2004; ISBN: 1-886039-70-4; $19.95) is available at bookstores nationwide and through online booksellers.

Dr. Jon Mendelsohn, a facial plastic surgeon in private practice in Cincinnati, Ohio, is medical director of the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Mendelsohn is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He is a national trainer in the use of Botox and Restylane and has presented nationally at conferences on facial plastic surgery.

Dr. Mendelsohn has authored numerous papers and publications on facial plastic surgery and is co-author of The Non-Surgical Facelift Book-A Guide to Facial Rejuvenation (Addicus Books, 2003).

Dr. Mendelsohn can be reached through his website: www.351face.com.

Dr. William Truswell, a facial plastic surgeon in private practice in Northampton, Massachusetts, is medical director and co-founder of the Aesthetic Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. Dr. Truswell is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Academy of Laser Medicine Surgery.

Dr. Truswell serves on the board of directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has published numerous articles on facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in medical journals and is co-author of The Non-Surgical Facelift Book-A Guide to Facial Rejuvenation (Addicus Books, 2003).

Dr. Truswell can be reached through his website: www.truswellplasticsurg.com.

Dr. Kriston Kent is the medical director of the Aesthetic Surgery Institute of Naples, Florida. He is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He is chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine Surgical Care Committee and is Vice President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Kent is a leading speaker on endoscopic facial surgery and autologous healing factors. He is featured in the book The Beauty Makers.

Dr. Kent can be reached through his website: www.naplesface.com.