Jackie Haines, who is in her 60s, had her first cosmetic surgery when she was 29, and has had nine procedures since.
"The first cosmetic surgery I had was a boob job in 1973. I was 29, had recently given birth to my second son, and my breasts just disappeared. They'd been a 36B, but after my pregnancy they went. I worked as a singer on stage and had glamorous dresses for performing in but nothing fit me any more.
"I was devastated. To me, things such as hair and breasts are an important part of being a woman. They're connected to a woman's sexuality and how she feels about herself. To have no breasts came as a shock.
"Breast implants were quite new back then. I found out all that I could. I can't remember how I found the surgeon. I think I called the local hospital and asked if they had anyone who could do it.
"After the operation I was elated. I was so excited that I can't remember any pain. My boobs were a little bigger than my natural size, and my stage dresses looked far better than before. It was a real boost for me."
Beyond breast surgery
"I had my next cosmetic surgery when I was 47. I noticed the muscles in my tummy were sticking out, and when I was on stage I felt as though I looked four months pregnant. So I decided to have a tummy tuck. I found a surgeon by ringing a well-known health insurance company and asking if there was anyone in my area.
"I was more apprehensive this time because it's a bigger operation and the recovery time is longer. But I never worried too much about the risks of surgery. I knew the surgeon was excellent, and I had complete confidence in him.
"After the operation I was sore for a while. You can't drive for a couple of weeks, and you have to take it easy. An incision is made from the edge of your hip along your bikini line. I had quite a few stitches. It took around four weeks to recover, and then another 11 months for the feeling in my tummy to come back. Until then it felt numb. But my tummy looked much better.
"Since then I've had several more procedures, all with the same surgeon. I've had another tummy tuck, six years after the first one, because I put on weight and the scar became lumpy. It's all smooth and flat now. During the second tummy tuck surgery I also had my breast implants replaced because the old ones became hard and uncomfortable, which I think was common with implants from the 1970s.
"They'd been in there for 25 years. I think my surgeon found it quite difficult to remove them, so I'm glad I was under general anaesthetic! The new ones have a different outer skin, so they don't become hard and your tissues don't attach to them. That was about 10 years ago, and they're still soft."
Young at heart
"I've also had liposuction on my tummy area and under my chin; fat removed from inside my knees; a mini face lift; my eyes done twice (I've never been able to see the scars as they are so tiny); and a slight lip lift, which involves cutting under the nostrils to lift the 'cupid's bow' of your upper lip.
"After the liposuction surgeries I was bruised and swollen for a couple of days. I had to wear a tight corset and tight stockings to compress the areas. They were a little uncomfortable but you do it to benefit the outcome of the procedure.
"After each surgery there are several follow-up appointments. I've always felt I can ask the surgeon anything. Sometimes the scars look as though they're oozing, and you want to check that they're OK.
"Each time I've woken up after the anaesthetic, I've felt excited and couldn't wait for someone to give me a mirror. Even if you're bruised and swollen, you still want to take a look at yourself. I'm so pleased with all the results of my surgery.
"I'm not in bad condition for my age. I feel very young at heart, and like to portray myself as a vibrant woman. I dress sensibly but in a youthful way, like Lulu, or the Patsy character from Absolutely Fabulous!
"As I get older I want to have less surgery because your body doesn't cope quite so well with the long anaesthetics, etc. But I'm going to have a few tweaks on my face.
"In my opinion, if a woman is considering surgery she should talk to a surgeon. But go to a very reputable one. It's so important to find a good surgeon from a proper source."
You can find some tips on choosing a cosmetic surgeon, and you can check the General Medical Council (GMC) database to make sure a doctor is registered with them.
The picture on this page is posed by a model.
