While some patients who chose to undergo plastic surgery are looking for a substantial overhaul in their appearance, most are more concerned with subtle improvements, the Des Moines Register reports.

One of the most common reasons that individuals have plastic surgery is to combat the signs of aging. That was the case with 54-year-old Pam Leyden, who had a facelift and a tummy tuck to counteract two c-sections and make her look as good as she felt.

She explains, “It may sound cliché, but my outside wasn’t matching my inside,” and that she “didn’t want to look like a 54-year-old woman who was trying to look 25.”

Cosmetic surgery can help patients rejuvenate their bodies after pregnancy, weight changes and natural aging. For patients who feel self-conscious due to their appearance, surgery can also help regain confidence and improve self-image.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the most popular surgical procedure in 2009 was breast augmentation, with 311,957 procedures, and was followed closely by liposuction and eyelid surgery.