From "Nip/Tuck" to "Extreme Makeover" and the "Swan," the world of cosmetic surgery has never been bigger, and the pressure on celebs to look good has never been greater. Patricia Heaton, Pam Anderson, Joan Rivers, Cher and many more have all gone public about their surgeries.

"We all have been nipped, butt pulled, do Botox, do collagen, lipo, starving all the time and exercising," Patricia told us. "That's why everybody looks that way."

"A lot of plastic surgery helps you feel fine, and now I feel fine," said Sharon Osbourne.

But staying forever young doesn't always go as planned. Gorgeous Julianne Moore is a staunch opponent of the cosmetic craze. "Suddenly you see people with all this plastic surgery," Julianne observed. "I feel they don't look any younger, they don't look more beautiful, they just look like they've had surgery."

And that's why New York plastic surgeon Dr. Z. Paul Lawrence wrote "A Little Work." He told us his new book, "Gives you a reality check."

And it also delivers some important insider info on the keys to successful surgery, like the following:

Know Your Surgeon: "Check the qualifications of your plastic surgeon," Lawrence advises. "Absolutely, find out about them."

Don't Be Cheap: "Don't shop for a bargain," says Lawrence. "This is not buying a sofa, this is your face."

Eye of the Beholder: Lawrence offers this unique tip: "Look at the plastic surgeon's wife. I think it's a good way to get a sense of what they perceive to be beautiful."

The doc's other big tip: Make sure you do it for you (not somebody else) -- which "Desperate Housewives'" Teri Hatcher couldn't agree with more: "You're only under pressure you let people put you in," she told us. "I think it's a very personal decision."

Nevertheless, when you're a celebrity, it's a decision the whole world will watch.