China's ugly obsession
December 2, 2010 - 7:06AM
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Mystery ... why did the famously attractive Wang Bei opt for plastic surgery?
The death of an aspiring Chinese pop singer during plastic surgery has cast an ugly light on an obsession with beauty that sees millions go under the knife in China each year.
Wang Bei, 24, a former contestant on China's answer to American Idol, died on November 15 during "facial bone-grinding surgery" in the central city of Wuhan, Chinese media have reported.
That Wang even felt she needed to improve her looks has underlined the extent to which cosmetic surgery has taken hold. Her beauty had already made her a popular contestant on the smash television hit Super Girl.
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China's unattainable beauty ideal ... Wang Bei gained popularity on the program Super Girl.
Her death has fuelled concerns about the dangers of plastic surgery in a country where three million people have operations each year to improve their appearances, according to figures published by state media.
'Anaesthetic accident'
An "anaesthetic accident" occurred during Wang's procedure at the Zhong Ao Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, according to Xinhua news agency, citing the local health bureau.
Wang's jaw suddenly started bleeding during the procedure, blocking her windpipe and causing her to suffocate, reports said.
Wang's mother was having the same procedure at the clinic when her daughter died.
Surging demand for cosmetic surgery has led to untrained doctors carrying out operations, "which is risky and irresponsible", said Zhang Huabin, a professor of plastic surgery at southern China's Guangdong Medical College.
Web users also have vented concern and questioned why a pretty girl like Wang would feel the need for plastic surgery.
"I hope the tragedy can raise people's awareness of the slack supervision of the plastic surgery industry," one web user said.
Wang "paid a painful price for beauty", said an entry on popular internet portal sina.com.
Another web user asked why Wang wanted cosmetic surgery when she was already "so beautiful".
"It is not possible to be famous only based on one's face," the posting said.
China: ranked third in the world for plastic surgery procedures
Globally, only the United States and Brazil ranked above China, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
"Nowadays, people are living longer and better. But the effects of ageing on their appearance affects their mood and confidence," a Shanghai-based plastic surgeon told the Xinhua news agency.
"Many older women want to look as young and beautiful as those high-profile older actresses in TV dramas or South Korean soaps operas and are happy to spend money on their appearance."
Another surgeon, Ding Xiaobang, said younger women "want to improve their appearance to find better opportunities at work and in marriage".
"We're living in a highly competitive society. People regard appearance as a weapon and a means of empowerment ... Most of them tell me, 'I don't care how much I spend, just make me look beautiful.'''
AFP with smh.com.au
