Plastic Surgeons Put the Knife Into TV Makeovers

LONDON (Reuters) - Plastic surgeons in Britain have criticized television's "dangerous" new craze of putting members of the public under the knife, often to make them look like celebrities.

In the latest reality TV fad, American twins have undergone surgery to look like actor Brad Pitt, while another man underwent a sex change and buttock surgery to look like pop diva Jennifer Lopez.

"The growing trend in cosmetic surgery reality shows, such as MTV's 'I Want a Famous Face,' sends a dangerous message," the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) said Tuesday.

"They prey on the vulnerabilities of a society increasingly obsessed with physical perfection," it added.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=571&ncid=751&e=4&u=/nm/20040511/hl_nm/health_britain_plasticsurgery_dc

Just like free advertising...or one long infomercial. I wonder if the participating surgeons actually PAY the programmers to be on the show. At the very least, their services are free in exchange for the spotlight.

Grotesque and very ugly bidness for one that purportedly is all about attractiveness.

I'm talking about all the shows where someone has some experts tell what to wear, what they should have in their bathrooms and wine closet, what their apartment should look like., or what you need to do to work for Donald Trump

I wonder if you identify with the person who is getting the treatment? Do you want a group of folks to give you $5,000 to go shopping provided you follow a set of rules they give you? Do you want 5 gay guys to redo your apartment and your looks? Do you want to learn to be competitive so you can work for a rich guy? My wife loves these shows so I know a bit about them.

What is it that you like about reality TV?