Two years ago, Chen Huanran's eyes were glued to beautiful women. He carefully studied their eyes, nose, mouth, breasts and legs. As a doctor at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College, he has a clinic experience of more than 20 years.

Chen Huanran talks with his patient.

In 2009, however, Chen has spent less time on beautiful women. About one fourth of his clients have been male officials and their wives.

Statistics show that in recent years, the number of males undergoing plastic surgery has doubled in China, with the number of officials undergoing plastic surgery increasing steadily. An expert plastic surgeon, who declined to be named, revealed that 30 percent of the patients in his hospital are male, and many of them have official ranks.

What makes officials so enthusiastic about going under the knife? How do they behave in the process? In response to these curious questions, Chen said, "It is no big deal for officials to undergo plastic surgery. They are normal people like you and me, and it's natural that they love beautiful faces. This only shows that our society is more open now."

People in the operation room must be as few as possible.

Chen still remembers the first official to come to his clinic. It was at the end of 2005. A secretary of a provincial Party committee came to Chen on the recommendation of her friend. "She was in her forties and looked very smart," Chen recalled. "The only flaw was that her eyelids drooped." Before the surgery, the female official made three requirements: first, the operation should be confidential; second, the recovery period should be short; and third, the changes should be unnoticeable. Chen accepted all of them. Seven days after the surgery, the official went home pretending nothing had happened.

Chen called her later to see how she was recovering. She was quite excited, because her colleagues said she looked younger after taking her vacation to Hong Kong, which was a lie she told them to cover her trip to Beijing.

During this year's May Day holiday, the official returned to Chen's office. "Once I discovered the benefits of plastic surgery, I couldn't stop thinking of having another one," the official said. "I've had more confidence in myself after the eyelid lift, so now I want to get rid of the wrinkles in my forehead."

Most officials tend to use holidays or time after meetings in Beijing to receive plastic surgery. Taking an overseas vacation is also a good excuse to ask for six or seven days off.