Alarm bells ring over cosmetic surgery push

Doctor, feminist warn of risks and social pressure as 400 turn up to consider makeover

A large roll-up of about 400 people yesterday to a promotional event for cosmetic surgery tours to South Korea triggered new warnings from a doctor and a feminist of the risks of such surgery and the imposing of specific ideals of beauty.

Most of those at the promotion, organised by businessman Stephen Shiu Jnr, who launched his Be a Lady cosmetic surgery tours last month, were young to middle-aged Asian women, but the group also included several men and westerners.

Three Korean plastic surgeons, including Joh Seong-pil, who operated on TV presenter and former Miss Hong Kong Natalie Ng Man-yan last month, were at the event to tell of surgical opportunities.

Mr Shiu paid Ng HK$1 million towards her South Korean trip, retaining her as a spokeswoman for Be a Lady. Yesterday, he introduced a second spokeswoman, model and 2006 Miss Asia contestant Carisa Yan Wing-shan.

Yan will receive surgery to give her double eyelids, remove wrinkles and probably sharpen her chin, as suggested yesterday by Dr Joh when he examined her at the promotion. The 26-year-old will also have the breast-enhancing gel PAAG removed. She had it injected into her breasts five years ago before she knew it was a potential carcinogen.