It appears that male and female officials tend to feel differently about the success of the surgery after going through with it. A doctor of a renowned hospital in Beijing revealed that male officials tend to be more critical. Chen echoed this comment, saying, "Many male officials have a hard time accepting their new look. They will ask me several times, 'Isn't it too obvious? It must be noticeable.' Or, 'Is the lift overdone? It should be looser.'" When Chen encounters this situation, he usually suggests that the officials change their hair or dress style. "This is an effective way to divert people's attention," Chen says. "They will gradually accept their new look when others praise them for their younger appearance. Besides, many officials prefer to do operations step by step to avoid drastic changes."

Wives are the go-between for officials and surgeons.

Chen discovered that many male officials were coming to him mainly at the advice of their wives, who were former plastic surgery patients. "Many of my early clients were the wives of officials," Chen said. "On the one hand, they could afford the expenses, and on the other hand, their marriages were often under high pressure."

Compared with their husbands, the wives choose an arrangement of enhancements, such as fat absorption, breast augmentation and skin care. "An official's wife once told me that she liked the look of Song Zuying [a famous singer in China], and she wanted to have Song's nose and chin," Chen recalled. "Some clients have complained that they grow old fast, while their husbands still look young."

Another plastic surgeon in a prestigious hospital in Beijing has come across a bribery case involving plastic surgery. "In the past, PR companies preferred to invite officials to a dinner or take them to the sauna. But last year, they began to give them plastic surgery as a gift. The company will take people, mostly wives of officials and company leaders, to our clinic, and whatever they choose, the company will pay for the charges."

Not long ago, Chen worked overnight to receive a group taken by a PR company. "They were wives of officials and company leaders. They chose programs like skin lift, fat absorption and eye bag reduction. I don't know whether it is bribery, but I hope the government can keep an eye on this kind of thing."

The successful changes on wives are stimulating to officials. As they age, they start to listen to their wives' recommendations about plastic surgery. Chen noted, "Of all the officials I have received, not one has contacted me directly. All communication has been conducted through their wives. Sometimes their secretaries will accompany them when they come for the surgery, but all decisions have been made by their wives."

Chen found, however, that things were different for female officials. They usually consult with Chen directly and have their sisters or daughters accompany them. "I have never met a female official accompanied by her husband," Chen said.

Plastic surgery will boost one's self-confidence.

Recalling his clinic experience over the past 20 years, Chen feels dramatic changes have taken place in China. Previously, people with birth defects and acquired injuries were the major recipients of plastic surgery. Nowadays, most recipients are entertainers, followed by rich wives, officials and young job seekers. People with birth defects and acquired injuries come fifth, with sex workers following that group. Of all the groups, officials receive the most public criticism.