A 21-year-old college student from Hefei in China's Anhui Province has received free breast implants before going into a breast modeling competition in September.
The student, who is also a part time model, was reportedly offered the opportunity from a local hospital, if she agreed to advertise for them. The surgery included breast implants, dental work and eye make-up, to the normal cost of around 380,000 yuan ($80,000).
Around 10 days after the operation she was awarded a prize at the local beauty contest. The young woman says she doesn't regret a thing."The surgery has helped boost my confidence," she said.
China has become the world leader in breast augmentation surgery, according to statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In 2009 around 222,530 procedures were carried out.
Meanwhile a study released recently by ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) reveals that the US is still the number one for carrying out the most cosmetic enhancement procedures, with over 3 million undertaken in 2011, making up 21% of the world's total.
Brazil came in at second place with 1.5 million procedures and China at third with 1 million. Included in the study were both surgical and non-surgical procedures, including hair removal and Botox.
In China, cosmetic surgery is still considered a taboo subject, with the traditional consensus being that people should stay as they were born. But there still remains distinct pressure to be attractive.
According to a survey by China Youth Daily, 71.5% of respondents said they judge people by their looks, while 49.9% believed having a pretty face can improve your life and help you to realize your dreams.
With cosmetic surgery becoming a booming industry in China, it has led many to ask questions about the implications of the growing trend.
Likewise, the article, which is trending on China's social sites, has created heated discussions about whether the young woman should have undergone the procedure.
Some Weibo users blamed the superficial direction society seems to be taking."C_her_ish" pointed out,"This is the value influenced by society (In search of external beauty)...".
Another commented "There are some people who pursue fake things throughout their whole live..."@yinweieason
However there were still many who supported the student. One user "xiaoyuhemaoxiIcey" said "No one has the right to comment if it’s her own choice. Maybe it’s her dream to become a model...In search of beauty, it deserves everything."
What do you think? Is cosmetic surgery ok?