In Shanghai there are about 230 private cosmetic surgery clinics. There are also uncounted numbers of low-cost and unlicensed clinics. This is at a time when China’s economy is slowing down for the first time in six or seven years. Tens of thousands of women are lining up for a range of cosmetic surgery procedures, both invasive and non-invasive.

Hung Huang, the fashion editor of a popular Shanghai magazine was recently interviewed by a reporter from the U.S. Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). “Chinese women are going completely gaga about fixing up their face, fixing up their breasts, fixing up their legs,” he said.

“I usually see between five and ten patients every day,” said one Dr. Lee, a head cosmetic surgeon at Shanghai’s Ninth People’s Hospital. That hospital has 16 operating rooms dedicated to plastic surgery and uses them for tens of thousands of surgeries per year. It receives hundreds of calls each day for consultations. All its rooms are booked and some operating rooms have to accommodate two or three patients at the same time.

What Procedures are in Demand?

By far the majority of Chinese people cannot afford cosmetic surgery. Many, perhaps most, of the women seeking cosmetic procedures are young, recently graduated from High School, and seeking jobs. They are looking for an edge in the competitive work world and leaning on their affluent parents to pay the costs.

Popular procedures are:

  • Eyelid surgery — a crease is created in the top eyelid to give the eyes a more wide-open look.
  • Rhinoplasty — nose surgery to raise and sharpen the nose outline.
  • Breast augmentation
  • Leg surgery — metal rods inserted in the legs after the bones are broken. This is to give the woman extra height.
  • Skin whitening — products to make the facial skin more pale

Beauty according to Western standards is everywhere on display — billboards, magazines, TV programs. “The look is so appealing and glamorous,” said young lady to the CBNreporter on the streets of Shanghai.

China is not the only country experiencing a boom in cosmetic surgery — it appears to be a worldwide phenomenon. If you would like to know more about the procedures we offer and which ones would most enhance your appearance, please contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rai for a personal consultation.